Kanye West is the most important cultural force alive, so it’s understandable that the art school from which he dropped out, the Art Institute of Chicago, would give him an honorary doctorate. We all do remember the name of his first album—this was the college from which he dropped out, making him The College Dropout. Expect people writing about the speech he gives to term his characteristically brilliant discourse as a “rant.” [Billboard]
The photorealism of Richard Estes is getting re-evaluated: “Despite his pre-eminence, Mr. Estes has not had a career survey by a New York museum—not until now, that is: ‘Richard Estes: Painting New York City’ opened at the Museum of Art and Design last Tuesday. Presenting more than 40 paintings and works on paper dating from the mid-1960s to the present, it’s also noteworthy for being the museum’s first exhibition devoted to a single painter.” [NYT]
300 works of Japanese art will head to the Met. It’s a $12.5 million endowment. Not peanuts! [WSJ]
Dealers at art fairs straining their shoulders pointing at works to sell—all that pointing and selling, it must be tiring! There is now a solution. “Dealers feeling fraught and fair-tigued can unwind in a new pop-up spa at Art Basel in Hong Kong. Complimentary neck and shoulder massages are available for gallerists seeking solace after dealing with pushy collectors, but weary staff, take note: it’s “one massage per gallery”, according to the rather strict instructions.” [The Art Newspaper]
Steve Cohen’s in hot
