Summer’s here and I’m pretty sure that unless you’re in Antarctica right now, you’re pretty hot atm. While you’ve been eating ice cream and fanning yourself, the art world has been super busy. So, here we are with a list of all the top news you missed this week!
ART
Conservation Of Murillo Painting Raises Eyebrows
Let’s start with something to make you giggle, and then screech in shock. When Bartolome Esteban Murillo’s Virgin Mary was restored in his The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables it didn’t quite go to plan. Instead the restoration, which took two attempts, resulted in the Virgin Mary looking more like a cartoon. Having been damaged in Spain, the Professional Association of Conservative Restorers of Spain is now trying to regulate the trade.
Arthur Jafa’s Love Is The Message Streamed Worldwide By 15 Institutions
15 arts institutions will simultaneously livestream Arthur Jafa’s video ‘Love Is the Message, The Message Is Death’, for 48 hours starting on June 26. The film comments on the Black experience in America and includes footage of Obama singing Amazing Grace, his daughter’s wedding and civil rights marches amongst many other clips, all playing to Kanye West’s song Ultralight Beam. Participating institutions include Tate, The Hirshhorn Museum and the Studio Museum in Harlem. ⠀
FASHION
JW Anderson Celebrates Tom Of Finland
A new three-piece capsule collection celebrating Tom of Finland has just been dropped by JW Anderson. The artist – real name Touko Laaksonen – is famous for his homoerotic work. The collection features a tote bag, visor and keyring.
Burberry Announces Physical Runway Show
Here’s a headline you didn’t expect to read 6 months ago…In a time where it feels like EVERYTHING has gone online, Burberry has confirmed an IRL fashion show on September 17. Set to take place outdoors, Burberry’s Creative Director Riccardo Tisci says he will meet us “in nature.” The show will also be viewable online for those unable to attend.
MARKET
Art Basel Allows Virtual Galleries To Join Art Fair
Online galleries are now eligible to apply for Art Basel’s 2021 Hong Kong Fair. The move has been made to support galleries in difficult times, and also shows that the digitisation of the art world is becoming more and more accepted.
Ex-Christie’s Contemporary Art Head Launches New Auction App
Loic Gouzer, who previously worked at Christie’s, has now launched his own auction house in the form of an app called Fair Warning. The app describes itself as a “highly curated auction platform where you can access weekly, one-lot, live auctions.” We’ll wait to see if this is the new IG…
Hong Kong Opens First Post-Covid Art Fair
UNSCHEDULED just opened in Hong Kong, the first since the coronavirus hit. Taking place in the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, the fair includes 12 local galleries and is running until June 27.
Christie’s First Single Artist Sale With Daniel Arsham Goes Live
Daniel Arsham is the first ever artist to have a solo online sale with Christie’s, and it’s just gone live! The lots include collaborations with Dior and Disney, with proceeds going to the Cooper Union School of Art. The sale runs until June 30.
Text Lizzy Vartanian
