artnet News Cheat Sheet

The top 10 art world stories of the week (May 12–16).

Inside the salesroom during Christie's record-setting $745 million sale. Photo courtesy Christie's.

VIEWERS CHOICE
After the week of art fairs, this was the week of auctions, and Eileen Kinsella covered all of them. Christie’s was the big winner, with a staggering $745 million sale on Tuesday, just after its supposedly “gritty” sale of works by a younger set of artists on Monday, which brought in $135 million. Meanwhile Sotheby’s notched a respectable $364 million at its evening sale on Wednesday, and Phillips did a swift $130.9 million at its Thursday night sale.

IN HONG KONG
The second edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong opened this week, with Benjamin Genocchio reporting that the fair has quickly matured to become the major international fair it was intended to be. While in town, fair-goers should check out these 10 stand-out shows at the city’s galleries.

THE LIST
While US auction houses had their busiest week of the season, Alexander Forbes offered an invaluable guide to the 10 most important auction houses in Europe, from Vienna’s Dorotheum to Paris’s Tajan.

OPINION
Ben Davis explained what was missing from the current rash of mainstream articles arguing that artists were the big winners from surging inequality.

ITINERARY
With spring setting in and art world folk starting to plan their summer adventures, Cait Munro mapped out 10 of the world’s most exotic art pilgrimage destinations.

INTERVIEW
Fresh off his showing at CFA in Berlin and in the White Cube booth at Frieze New York and in anticipation of a slew of gallery shows this year, rising art star Christian Rosa chatted with The Hole gallerist Kathy Grayson about his process, formative influences, and love of Los Angeles.

NEW TO KNOW
Vito Schnabel Is a Cougar Magnet

Defaced Rothko Returns to Tate After Restoration

Van Gogh Discovered by Spanish Tax Authorities

New to Market Mondrian Could Break World Record

eBay Launching Live Auction Platform Catering to Art Auction Houses

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