The Art News You Missed While The World Went Mad

Hey there. How’s it going?! To say that it’s been a big week is putting it mildly. With the world demonstrating against racial injustices, we feel a little bit silly reporting on the art world, but then again, we know you love to keep updated. So, here’s a re-cap of all you missed this week!

ART

The Art World Goes Dark

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Black Lives Matter. Sotheby’s has zero tolerance for racism or discrimination in any form, and we stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, friends, clients, followers, and members of the global arts community following the events of the last several weeks in the United States. We are outraged and heartbroken over the senseless loss of life, which ultimately stems from a legacy of systemic racism and discrimination. Furthermore, we recognize that we are at our best when we include and encourage diverse voices. One of our most important priorities is to create an even more inclusive workforce that best represents the communities we are a part of, around the world.

A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) on Jun 2, 2020 at 9:50am PDT

In solidarity with the global protests against racism prompted by the murder of George Floyd, arts organisations and artists across the globe went dark to remind us all that racism has no place on our planet. 

We Say Goodbye To Christo

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Artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, known as Christo, passed away of natural causes today at his home in New York City. He was 84 years old. . Statement from Christo's office: "Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only dreaming up what seemed impossible but realizing it. Christo and Jeanne-Claude's artwork brought people together in shared experiences across the globe, and their work lives on in our hearts and memories. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always made clear that their artworks in progress be continued after their deaths. Per Christo’s wishes, 'L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped' in Paris, France, is still on track for Sept. 18–Oct. 3, 2021." . Christo was born on June 13, 1935 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. He left Bulgaria in 1957, first to Prague, Czechoslovakia, and then escaped to Vienna, Austria, then moved to Geneva, Switzerland. In 1958, Christo went to Paris, where he met Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, not only his wife but life partner in the creation of monumental environmental works of art. Jeanne-Claude passed away on November 18, 2009. Christo lived in New York City for 56 years. . From early wrapped objects to monumental outdoor projects, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's artwork transcended the traditional bounds of painting, sculpture and architecture. Some of their work included Wrapped Coast in Australia (1968–69), Valley Curtain in Colorado (1970–72), Running Fencein California (1972–76), Surrounded Islands in Miami (1980–83), The Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris (1975–85), The Umbrellas in Japan and California (1984–91), Wrapped Reichstag in Berlin (1972–95), The Gates in New York’s Central Park (1979–2005), The Floating Piers at Italy's Lake Iseo (2014–16), and The London Mastaba on London's Serpentine Lake (2016–18). . Christo's temporary work of art in Paris, France, titled L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris), is scheduled for Sept. 18–Oct. 3, 2021. Additionally, a major exhibition at the Centre Georges Pompidou about Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work and time in Paris will be on view this year, from July 1–Oct. 19, 2020. . In a 1958 letter Christo wrote, 'Beauty, science and art will always triumph.' We hold those words closely today.

A post shared by Christo and Jeanne-Claude (@christojeanneclaude) on May 31, 2020 at 12:08pm PDT

The art world shed a tear this week as news reported the death of Christo. Famous for his huge installations, often with partner Jeanne-Claude, we certainly lost one of our greatest artists.

Elon Musk Sends Art Into Space

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My art is going to Space today! Thank you @spacex @nasa @atrbute ——————————————- ‘Human Kind’ by Tristan Eaton As an artist I try to look at the world with a big picture view. No one gets a bigger view of our world than our brave astronauts on the ISS. When SpaceX asked me to create art to join these astronauts in space, I wanted to make something inspirational. Looking down from space to see all of Human Kind together on this tiny planet might remind you how much history and potential we have. Yet we have so much further to go. With this in mind, I created a series of indestructible, 2 sided paintings made from gold, brass and aluminum to represent the duality of Human Kind, our past and our future. With kindness, hope and science, Human Kind has changed the world many times over. For a better future, we can do it again. Good luck Doug & Bob!!! Stay tuned to hear about what happens with the Art when it returns to Earth in 3 months!!! #launchamerica

A post shared by Tristan Eaton (@tristaneaton) on May 27, 2020 at 12:21pm PDT

Now here’s a story! It’s been widely reported that Elon Musk’s company SpaceX was the first private company to take humans to space last week, but did you know that art was on board too? Tristan Eaton’s Human Kind series has now joined an elite club of artists including Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg whose works have left the planet. Eaton’s art will return to Earth later this year. 

Grimes Unleashes Her Arty Side

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Maccarone presents its debut collaboration with Grimes: an exclusive online viewing room on Gallery Platform LA (link in bio). The viewing room features Grimes’ series of digital photographs, centering WarNymph, the artist’s virtual avatar. WarNymph is birthed out of machine learning, and executed in collaboration between Grimes and her brother Mac Boucher. The viewing room is live on the platform from May 28th to June 3rd. @grimes @macboucher @warnymph @galleryplatform.la

A post shared by Maccarone (@maccaronegallery) on May 28, 2020 at 10:49am PDT

We’re most familiar with Grimes as a musician (and also partner of Elon Musk), but did you know she’s a visual artist too? Unveiled via LA gallery Maccarone’s online viewing room, Selling Out includes drawings, prints and photographs, as well as one work (also called Selling Out), which includes a legal document where the buyer acquires a portion of Grimes’s soul (…okay…). The piece of soul up for grabs has no set price, with Grimes inviting viewers to make an offer and decide how much her soul is worth. 

FASHION

Alex Israel Drops Fragrance With Louis Vuitton

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It feels strange to share this news during lockdown, but this was supposed to launch at Coachella and it’s happening now instead, as Europe begins to reopen and people are headed back to work in stores that have been shuttered for months. It’s a new fragrance i worked on with the incredible team @louisvuitton, including the always inspiring master perfumer @jcavallier. The fragrance is inspired by the LA sky at dusk, a natural phenomenon that has somehow become more beautiful and life-affirming than ever these past few months. For me, twilight offers a daily reminder to take deep breaths, to be kind to myself and to others, and that I must do my part to help preserve our planet and its incredible, vast beauty. If you have a chance to encounter the fragrance, i hope it makes you feel good. Stay safe, with love, Alex 💖 #CaliforniaDream #LVParfums

A post shared by Alex Israel (@alexisrael) on May 28, 2020 at 12:49pm PDT

For everyone stuck inside but California dreaming right now, today’s your lucky day! LA artist Alex Israel has just released four new perfumes with Louis Vuitton inspired by his hometown. California in a bottle, what could be better?

MARKET

Sotheby’s And AllRightsReserved Collab On Charity Auction

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那些年我們錯過的當代藝術作品即將重現於 SOTHEBY'S 線上拍賣！今次的拍賣品全由 ALLRIGHTSRESERVED 提供，收益也將捐獻給相關單位救濟受到疫情影響的人 / 家庭！買到心頭好又可以做慈善，不是不參與吧？ 趕緊點入 BIO LINK 看看今次有些什麼好物可以叫價帶回家吧 ~

A post shared by STREET SENSE (@streetsense) on Jun 2, 2020 at 9:48pm PDT

Creative studio AllRightsReserved and Sotheby’s are coming together for a contemporary online auction. The auction will comprise limited-edition collectible items from the studio including works by KAWS and David Shrigley. The auction will run between 8 and 15 June online, with proceeds going to Tung Wah Hospital’s campaign for Covid 19 relief. 

Basquiat Tag Goes On Sale For First Time Ever

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News has just reached us that a Basquiat SAMO tag went up for auction last month for the first time ever. SAMO – stands for Same Old Shit – and was a collaboration between Basquiat with his graffiti partner Al Diaz. The unique oil-on-tarp work sold for $71,875. 

Text Lizzy Vartanian

Feature image: From “Protest Signs” by Olivia Locher