The Week in Art...After Nyne's Hot 9
1. Frank Benson sheds light on controversy surrounding latest public art sculpture (via ArtNews)
Benson’s life-size bronze statue of Alexander Selkirk, a mariner said to be the inspiration behind Robinson Crusoe, was commissioned as part of a public art initiative in Bristol. The sculpture’s proposed location, a former graveyard, has sparked controversy amongst local residents. It was reported by the BBC several letters of complaint have been written, but as the statue was inspired by the city in both concept and materials Benson remains surprised at the concerns.
2. Arrests made over attempted theft of Banksy copy (via The Guardian)
The imitation, a stencilled piece based on Banksy’s 2014 Art Buff, was allegedly stolen by two men. The original Banksy artwork remains part of a legal battle after being ripped from a wall in Folkestone, where it was originally displayed. Whilst on patrol two police officers spotted two men trying to steal the new work, which was installed the previous day by local artist Robsci. The original is valued at almost half a million pounds and it due to be exhibited in Folkestone next year.
3. Donald Trump nude removed from Union Square Park (via ArtNews)
A naked, life-size clay statue of currently one of the most talked about men in America, Donald Trump, appeared in Union Square Park attracting crowds of onlookers. The work is an unflattering rendition of Trump, depicting the billionaire with a bloated stomach, blue veins and wrinkled skin accompanied by a plaque reading ‘The Emperor Had No Balls’ reportedly installed by men dressed as construction workers. The stunt is the work of street art collective Indecline and has also hit public spaces across LA, Seattle and San Francisco.
4. Public art initiative in Kenya sees mosques and churches painted yellow (via The Guardian)
The public art project, Colour in Faith, by Yazmany Arboleda resulted in houses of worship across Nairobi being painted yellow. The project involves religious buildings including churches and mosques being washed in a lemon yellow as part of what Arboleda calls a symbol of peace across all religions. “The goal was to take houses of worship in Kenya and paint them yellow in the name of love,” Arboleda stated. “The idea from the beginning was to turn buildings into sculptures that speak to our shared humanity.” Arboleda convinced 14 houses of worship to be painted in ‘optimistic yellow’ yet in light of religious bureaucracy only 3 followed through.
5. Judge rules Cranach paintings to remain at Norton Simon Museum (via The Art Newspaper)
A US judge decided two paintings by Cranach Adam and Eve (1530) will remain on display at the Norton Simon Museum. The claims by an heir to the Dutch collector and dealer Jacques Goudstikker were dismissed, after a decade long case that holds the paintings became the property of the Dutch government after WW2.
6. World renowned artist at the centre of David Zwirner lawsuit named as Jeff Koons (via Artlyst)
It was revealed that Koons’ Gazing Ball sculpture was at the centre of the highly publicised lawsuit between the London/New York Contemporary Art dealer David Zwirner and the Old Master dealer Fabrizio Moretti. The original claim was filed at $2 million in damages, but has now been upgraded to $6 million and stems from complaints that Zwirner engaged in ‘chicanery’ by giving the wrong edition number to the purchaser. Zwirner is said to of promised the second casting in an edition of three to Moretti, who states the work has still not be delivered to him.
7. 1985 Boeing transformed into mobile art for Burning Man festival (via Art Net)
As part of the free-spirited arts festival that takes over the Nevada desert, a re-purposed Boeing 747 has become the latest transformation for the event. The piece has been described as the ‘largest moving art experience ever created’ and is the brainchild of non-profit organisation Big Imagination, whose aim was to create ‘an immersive interactive experience that will have an impact on all those that come inside’. There are plans for daily talks to be held in the first class lounge and visitors can climb upstairs for an expansive view of the desert vista.
8. Interactive map displays every art installation and monument in New York City (via The Architects Newspaper)
The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation has announced the launch of an interactive database of the 1000+ monuments, public artworks and temporary installations across the city. The resource entitled, The NYC Public Art Map and Guide, is searchable by postcode providing images and basic information about each piece.
9. New affordable-art website Collectionair receives backing from curatorial giants (via The Art Newspaper)
The new website Collectionair focuses on established and emerging artists from under represented art scenes, enabling buyers to browse virtual exhibitions featuring artists from countries such as Iran. It has been reported a whole host of high-profile art professionals, including the former director have pledged their support to the site. The project is co-founded by Olivier Varenne, the international curator at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania and most of the works available come directly from the artists’ studios.
