Speed Read: The Top 10 Art News Stories For November 10–14

Bush, Birkins, and blockbuster art sales.

Jeff Koons.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

 

The Kardashian Christmas card (from 2010. Photo: Nick Saglimbeni.

The Kardashian Christmas card (from 2010).
Photo: Nick Saglimbeni.

1. World’s Biggest Art Collector Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani Dies at Age 48
Once regarded as the world’s richest and most powerful collector, Al-Thani died suddenly in his home in London on November 9 at the age of 48.

2. Why Are The Kardashians So Obsessed With Art?
The short answer: because no one ever told them money can’t buy class.

3. George W. Bush is Still a Bad Painter
Some things, like the many inadequacies of W, will never change.

The painting by George W. Bush, depicting him standing next to his fatherPhoto via: @TODAYshow

The painting by George W. Bush, depicting him standing next to his father
Photo via: @TODAYshow

4. Rothko Reels In $45 Million at Sotheby’s $343.6 Million Contemporary Evening Sale
New records were set at the sale for Jasper Johns, Glenn Ligon, Robert Ryman, and Jean Dubuffet.

5. See the 20 Hottest Art World Hangouts of 2014
From dive bars to fine dining, we’ve got the best locales for you to hit.

6. Epic Christie’s $852.9 Million Blockbuster Contemporary Art Sale Is the Highest Ever
Two Warhols accounted for $151.5 million.

7. Hedge Fund Honcho Steve A. Cohen Is Buyer of $101 Million Giacometti
The finance manager was the only bidder.

8. Sheikh Al-Thani’s Watch Sells for $24 Million After His Mysterious Death
Before his death, he had turned his watch over to the auction house, along with $70 million in assets to help cover an enormous amount of debt he had accrued.

Jeff Koons.  Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

Jeff Koons with his Birkins.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

9. Jeff Koons Turned Sofia Coppola’s Birkin Bag Into a Readymade
What’s better than a Birkin and better than a Koons? A Bir-Koons, of course.

10. Meet Xin Li, Christie’s Secret Weapon for China Sales
The former basketball player and fashion model now wines, dines, and shows art to billionaires.


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