Hey art squad, how’s it going? Are your eyes stinging from spending too much time attached to your phone screen? Ok, so maybe you weren’t making TikToks. But maybe you were watching them? If not, we’re pretty sure you were watching reels on IG, so it’s basically the same thing. But, while you were busy playing with face filters, the art world kept on moving. Don’t worry though, while you take a break from the apps, we’ve got your covered with all the art news you missed!
ART
Jeff Koons Leaves Zwirner And Gagosian To Move To Pace
Jeff Koons – the world’s most expensive living artist – will now be exclusively represented by Pace. The mega artist has left Zwirner and Gagosian in a move that has created many art world headlines. We’re interested to see what they’ll do together!
Chadwick Boseman Appears At Oscars As NFT
Those pesky NFTs aren’t going anywhere, and now they’ve even appeared at the Oscars! Artist Andre O’Shea was commissioned to make an NFT of the late actor Chadwick Boseman to appear at the awards ceremony, which went on to auction via rarible. However, the artist was then accused of exploiting Boseman’s death for his own profit by using his likeness, and the sale was closed down. This was because the NFT is of the actor’s face which was triggering for many people. O’Shea is now redesigning the artwork before it is re-auctioned again. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the Colon Cancer Foundation.
Immersive Banksy Show To Open In New York
A major Banksy “experience” is opening in New York this August. The location of the immersive show has not been revealed, though tickets go on sale on May 4. The show – titled Banksy: Genius or Vandal – is set to feature 80 works alongside a VR experience, we’re sure it’ll be one not to miss!
FASHION
We Say Goodbye To Alber Elbaz
We are very sorry to report on the sad passing of Alber Elbaz, who left us following a battle with Covid-19 last week. The designer is most famous for his 14 years at Lanvin but also worked at Yves Saint Laurent. Rest in peace.
Murakami Turns His NFTs Into Tees
Don’t just own non-fungibles, wear them too! Our fave Takashi Murakami has been posting lots of pics of his digitised flower NFTs as clothing, and we’re kinda obsessed!
MARKET
Frieze New York To Be A Local Affair
According to artnet, a third of galleries who were supposed to exhibit at the upcoming Frieze New York dropped out and were replaced by local dealers as the global Covid situation made attendance a little difficult. That said, we’re super excited Frieze New York opens IRL (!!!) next week and hope that some sense of “normality” appears.
Emrata Releases First NFT Via Christie’s
Emily Ratajkowski’s debut NFT is entitled Buying Myself Back: A Model for Redistribution, and is up for auction via Christie’s from May 14. The work was made to confront how both the art world and the internet has been used in a place to exploit and distribute images of women’s bodies, and Emrata is looking to change that.
Text Lizzy Vartanian
