Art Outlook: 12 June

Some of the stories, reviews and discussions we’ve spotted online this week:

A bad week for Russian cultural relations

Two of this year’s major Russian cultural events have gone awry… Last week the British Council confirmed that a much-hyped YBA (Young British Artists) exhibition in Moscow had been cancelled, and this week, Manifesta 10’s curator Kasper König spoke out to condemn Russia’s lack of a ‘civil society’.

Let them eat football

Political street art has sprung up around Rio de Janeiro in the run up to the World Cup, calling attention to the plight of those living in poverty in the city.

The National Trust gains a Rembrandt self-portrait

Frick Collection expansion plans

Marina Abramoviç comes to London

The huge queue outside the Serpentine Gallery yesterday announced the arrival of fêted performance artist Marina Abramoviç in London. Her latest piece, 512 hours, is open until 25 August, and will see the artist working, controversially, with nothing but her visitors.

Total folly: public sculpture destroyed by vandals in New York

Robert Raphael’s ceramic sculpture Untitled Folly was destroyed in New York City’s Randall’s Island park after less than a month on display.

Make Room: Antony Gormley’s hotel room design in London

Antony Gormley’s design for a luxury room at London’s Beaumont hotel is, paradoxically, meant to evoke a hermit’s cave. It’s striking exterior is difficult to miss, but only the wealthy are likely to see inside: a bed costs £2,500 a night.

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