— at this year’s Humana Festival. – Los Angeles Times
Hong Kong and Berlin aren’t two cities usually associated with one another. But this summer artwork by 1000 Berlin and Hong Kong artists will be swapped for large exhibitions. Then, 200 artists from each will visit the other and do residences. Organizers of the project feel there are natural links between the two cities – “both have been politically reorganized and are currently trying to redefine themselves, particularly in the cultural, economic and political spheres; both function as a window (Hong Kong to China, and Berlin to Eastern Europe); and both are in the process of transformation.” – South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
At a Europe/Africa summit conference, representatives of 52 African countries have asked European countries to return cultural treasures taken during colonial times. Items “in dispute include the Sphinx’s beard from Egypt, an obelisk from Ethiopia and a golden throne from Ghana.” – CBC
Australia’s newly competitive art markets have caused art auction houses to slash their commissions and offer inducements like “frequent buyer” programs to customers in an attempt to increase business. – Sydney Morning Herald
Groundbreaking for Beijing’s new French-designed $567 million performing arts center took place this week. Plans for an official celebration were called off because of controversy over the project. “Critics of the project say the futuristic design by French architect Paul Andreu is a waste of money and is out of keeping with Chinese and Stalinist architecture of China’s capital.” – China Times
Vittorio Radice has seen Bilbao. He’s seen what Frank Gehry has done for an out-of-the-way Spanish city. And he wants to work the same magic on Birmingham, England. Not a museum, though. Radice runs a store and his great grand shiny shimmery confection would be a tribute to retailing. – The Telegraph (UK)
Britain’s on a museum-building kick. But where will the visitors come from to see all the new attractions, wonder critics? Never fear, the government has a plan – next year it will slash admission fees for many of the country’s museums, down from £7.50 to £1. The plan is estimated to cost the government about £7.1 million in lost admit fees. – BBC
