Category: visual

The artist, who spent $350,000 to make and install the sculpture as a guerrilla artwork in 1989, had argued that moving it would transform it into an advertisement for the stock exchange, which would violate his copyright. – Artnet

Much of the social media debate has been over whether a historical figure who took a morally objectionable positions must be understood as “a man of his time.” The response of activists has often been along the lines of “Hitler was a man of his time too.” Here both sides are mistaken. – Bloomberg

After an investigation by the BBC and a Syrian-American archaeologist found a network of groups trading in ancient objects stolen from Middle Eastern war zones — including loot-to-order offers to dig up and steal mosaics that were still in the ground — the social media colossus says it will block all sale and trading of antiquities on its flagship site and Instagram. – BBC

“The Metropolitan Museum of Art plans to open its doors on Aug. 29, after more than five months of pandemic shutdown … If everything goes smoothly with New York’s phased reopening, museums would be allowed to open on July 20 — in the fourth and final phase of the plan. The Met has set its date for about a month after that, with some staff members returning to work a few weeks earlier to prepare.” – The New York Times

In the statement announcing her resignation, Jill Snyder did not refer to the apology, saying, “I came to this decision with the understanding that the world at large, and our museum in particular, are in a powerful moment of disruption and possibility.” She added, “I embrace this as an opportunity to advance the movement for change that is now sweeping through our culture.” – The New York Times

The release, sent from an email address that appeared to be the same as that used by the organization’s public-relations department, looked like the real thing — but it was fake.  – Seattle Times

It is easy to destroy; it is hard to build. The American edifice that imperfect men and women have built over the past two centuries is a solid foundation for the just nation in which we live and seek to improve. We must not burn it down in the vain hope that a better future can emerge from its bonfire. – Washington Post

“When he painted it, Leonardo used an experimental technique using egg tempera and oil paint on plaster, so it began to fade soon after it was completed. Luckily, Leonardo’s pupils created a copy using oil paint on canvas that has better stood the test of time. Now, that oil painting is available online after a partnership between England’s Royal Academy of Arts and Google Arts & Culture.” – Smithsonian Magazine

First there was the world-famous fiasco “Beast Jesus,” then there was St. George painted to look like a toy. Now an early copy of Murillo’s Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables has been wrecked because a collector tried to have it fixed up for only €1,200 by a furniture restorer, and there are calls in Spain for the entire field of art restoration to be regulated. – The Guardian