BEST?

Beyoncé-In-Chief – Thanks to Beyoncé, the illustrious cover of Vogue‘s September issue will for the first time ever be photographed by an African American artist: 23-year-old Tyler Mitchell, who Bey handpicked.

Selling in Seattle – artnet News’s Andrew Goldstein spoke to Nato Thompson about his gig at the helm of the Seattle Art Fair, what kinds of art people actually like, and the convergence of art and technology.

Biesenbach Goes West – The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles announced Klaus Biesenbach will take over as director. Biesenbach has been a prominent—if sometimes polarizing—figure of the East Coast art scene, leading MoMA PS1 since 1995 and amassing a cadre of celebrity pals in the process.

Shining a Light on a Neon Artist – Three shows across the Hamptons are celebrating the work of Post-Minimalist sculptor Keith Sonnier, who helped redefine the popular conception of sculpture over his decades-long career.

Decoding E-Galleries – Can you make it as an artist without a traditional gallery? Well, these six websites certainly make it easier, letting artists put their work up for sale.

WORST? 

Russian Ties – Since the investigations surrounding Trump’s election have revealed the names of some high-flying Russian money men, we’ve highlighted some intriguing oligarchs who have deep and enduring ties to the international art world.

ACT UP Speaks Out – Members of the AIDS activist organization ACT UP protested outside the Whitney’s current show of artist David Wojnarowicz, accusing the show of historicizing the AIDS epidemic while the disease continues to be an ongoing issue around the world.

A Problematic Picasso? – The Met’s Picasso painting The Actor is once again bringing the museum to court, where an appeal was filed contesting the good-faith nature of the painting’s sale, which transpired during the Nazi occupation of Europe.

Pussy Riot Gets Re-Jailed – Members of Pussy Riot remain caught up in a revolving door of imprisonment and release in Germany. The string of arrests stem from the group’s performance when they stormed the soccer field at the World Cup finals last month.

Sweden’s Crown Jewels Are Swindled – The brazen theft of crown jewels from a cathedral in Sweden may have been at the behest of a collector who wanted the baubles at any cost.