Weekly News Round-up
Tom Gayford, Friday, 4th September 2009
Art authorities have called into question the authenticity of the alleged Picasso painting recovered recently by Iraqi police in South Baghdad. The painting (The Naked Woman) was supposedly looted by the Iraq army during the invasion of Kuwait in 1991. However, the presence of ‘Louvre’ stamps on the back of the painting (the museum denies ever having sold a Picasso) leaves its authenticity in doubt.
2. Mexican art organisations in trouble:
The art institutions of Mexico are struggling in the wake of the global economic downturn and the impact of swine flu. Museums and galleries fear a round of layoffs, exhibition cancellations and blackout days at major institutions.
3. Major donation to Allentown Art Museum
The Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania, has received a major donation by the contemporary artist Peter Grippe. The collection donated includes 500 works, most of which are by Grippe, but there are notable works by other artists, such as Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Jacques Lipchitz and Reginald Marsh.
4. Blanton Museum of Art identifies Veronese as altarpiece:
The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas has announced that a portrait in their permanent collection of St Michael by the Venetian painter Veronese has been identified as part of a larger altarpiece. The painting will now be reunited with other fragments of the painting – found in Dulwich, Ottowa and the National Gallery of Scotland – which is thought to depict St Michael with angels supporting the dead body of Christ.
5. Frida Kahlo scholars denounce 'lost archive' as fakes:
A cache of paintings, drawings, letters and other items allegedly belonging to the artist Frida Kahlo has emerged in Mexico, and will shortly be published by Princeton Architectural Press. However, some Kahlo experts denounced them as forgeries, commenting on what they saw as the inexpert nature of some of the art.
6. Despite downturn, government spending on Artworks up 34%:
The Government Art Collection, which supplies works of art for official buildings including foreign embassies, has announced that it has spent £556,911 on art over the past year, despite recent economic troubles. This represents an increase of 34% on the previous year’s spending. Artists whose work has been purchased include Tracy Emin, Andy Warhol and Conrad Shawcross.
7. Proposed Courtauld cuts cause outrage:
Plans for the partial closure of the Courtauld Institute photographic libraries have caused outrage in the art world. The Institute has proposed that the loss-making Witt, Conway and Photographic institute libraries, which together contain photographic images of over three million artworks should close for four days a week, and shed all their permanent staff. However, the Institute announced that the three libraries would remain open for five days a week after all, albeit with reduced hours.
Prizes/Appointments
8. Ruth Reed becomes first female president of the Royal Institute of British Architects – and accuses Prince Charles abusing his position:
Ruth Reed has become the 73rd – and first female – President of the 175 year-old RIBA, which oversees British architecture, and almost immediately used her position to launch an attack on Prince Charles. The Prince, who is known for his strong views on architecture, was accused of abusing his position to influence planning decisions.
Art Daily article
Times article
9. The San Diego Museum of Art appoints firm to lead search for new executive director:
New York-based executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim is being retained by the San Diego Museum of Art to conduct the search for an executive director. Current executive director Derrick R. Cartwright is departing mid-September to become executive director at the Seattle Art Museum. Phillips Oppenheim is a national leader in non-profit executive search and its arts practice group has worked with some of the most prominent and prestigious museums and cultural institutions in the field.
10. International competition running to select director of new Barcelona contemporary arts centre:
The Canòdrom Barcelona Contemporary Arts Centre will from this week be running an international competition to select its new director, running until 15 October. The Centre will aim to promote art within Barcelona, and Barcelona’s standing in the art world.
11. Meadows School of the Arts announces launch of Meadows Prize:
The Meadows School of Art at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, has announced the launch of the new Meadows prize. The Prize will take the form of four arts residencies to be awarded each year to professional figures active in one of the academic disciplines of the Meadows school, which include art, art history, dance, journalism and theatre.
12. Arts Council England announces members of new executive board:
Arts Council England on Wednesday announced the members of its new executive board, which will take charge of the organisation from April 2010.
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