BEST?

Memorializing Toni Morrison – artnet News spoke to the New Yorker’s art editor about Kara Walker’s cover portrait, paying homage to the late, great Toni Morrison.

Crazy in Love – Tyler Mitchell’s Vogue cover of Beyoncé has been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery for its permanent collection.

Facebook and Courbet Declare a Truce – The extended legal battle between social media giant and a teacher who posted Courbet’s graphic painting, The Origin of the World, has finally come to an end.

Gus van Gogh? – Hollywood director Gus Van Sant is showing off his other creative chops—as a painter—debuting his first solo-show at Vito Schnabel Projects in New York City.

Technology Is Transforming Archaeology! – Lasers are helping scientists discover previously unknown ancient structures, and shifting our perception of civilizations long gone.

Google Solves a Mystery – A family whose ancestral portrait was stolen from a London museum re-discovered the artwork thanks to a cannily placed Google News Alert.

teamLab Is Tops – The new immersive museum in Tokyo dedicated to the Japanese collective has become the most popular single-artist attraction in the world, claiming to beat the Van Gogh Museum in terms of pure attendance.

Sam Gilliam Shines – The artist’s solo show at Dia:Beacon is challenging audience perceptions of what minimalist art looks like, and cementing his reputation as a contemporary powerhouse.

WORST?

Takis Has Died – The Greek artist was best known for using magnets to create otherworldly light and sound creations that married science, art, and technology.

Remembering Karsten Schubert – The London gallerist has died at age 57, and art world luminaries spoke to artnet News about his contribution to the 20th century canon.

Tragedy Strikes Tate Modern – A teenager pushed a small child from the 10th floor viewing balcony at Tate Modern. Though the child has survived, the teen is facing attempted murder charges.

Aichi Triennial Is Under Fire – The Japanese triennial was censored for its inclusion of a sculpture depicting the “comfort women” of World War II, despite the show’s overall theme exposing the perils of censorship.

Venice Halts Cruise Ships – The Italian city has officially forbidden mega-cruise ships from the central waterways, where collisions and close-calls have been a frequent occurrence.

Boris Johnson’s Art Scheme – The newly-elected Prime Minister announced plans for art freeports to lure in ultra wealthy art collectors to store their wares in the UK.