Wednesday, May 11
Fifteen Minutes, Extended
Warhol! The pop artist is the auteur of modern celebrity–but will people shell out for, you know, his art, when they can witness his legacy by flipping on E!? Of course, they will. That famous Self-Portrait in vivid red, the centerpiece of today’s Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Auction, Read More
Christie’s International PLC, founded in 1766, announced late last month the hiring of Steven Murphy, a chief executive who, uncharacteristically, had not gone to Eton. Even more shocking, for the first time in its history, the company will be led by an American.
His nationality aside, the 56-year-old New Yorker was an unlikely choice for Read More
Winner of the Week: Frick Collection director Anne L. Poulet, who announced she’ll retire in Sept. 2011 after eight years there, and much success fund-raising. Let the search for a replacement begin!
Loser: Damien Hirst collectors, who are seeing the (near-term) resale value of their art sink in the wake of the Lehman Brothers Read More
In a surprising and unlikely move, auctioneer Christie’s has hired, from outside, a former publishing, record company and Disney executive as its CEO. For the firm known for, literally, centuries (it was founded in 1766) of Eton-educated top managers and very little turnover, this is a huge cultural shift.
Steven Murphy becomes CEO of Christies Read More
As a student in Paris in 1927, young designer Charlotte Perriand was turned away by the legendary Le Corbusier after being told, “We don’t embroider cushions here.” A few months later, after a colleague took him to see a glass, steel and aluminum rooftop bar she had designed, he hastily changed his mind. She worked Read More
In the bitchy little art world, few galleries have raised as many hackles as Haunch of Venison.
Luxury goods king François Pinault, the owner of Gucci, Chateau Latour and of Christie’s auction house, bought the London-based buzzy contemporary art gallery three years ago. In September 2008, he opened a huge New York Read More
Claiming historical ownership, New York City has sued a New Jersey man over a set of 86 drawings belonging to Jacob Wrey Mould — a British architect and planner who worked for the city in the second half of the 19th century and helped design Bethesda Terrace, Belvedere Castle, and Tavern on Read More
Two influential art dealers leave their posts for higher-profile gigs, museum directors settle down in plush, tax-free homes, and artists cash in on lucrative sneaker design deals. This week in art news: When opportunity knocks…
1. Lehman Brothers to Auction Off More Art
In an effort to repay creditors, Lehman Brothers Read More
In a deal that swaps Chelsea credibility for Christie’s International’s cash and global reach, one of New York’s more popular young art galleries has merged with Haunch of Venison, the art dealer owned by Christie’s.
Haunch is expected to announce later this week that Robert Goff, and the gallery of the same name, plus a Read More
A 13-year-old forgery ring busted in France, a ten-year restitution debate resolved, and the 400-year-old mystery of the Medicis’ death solved. This week in art news: It’s about time.
1. Brits Fight for Arts Funding
British art-world heavyweights have begun a letter-writing campaign to the government protesting proposed budget Read More
