Week in Review is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world. Subscribe to receive these posts as a weekly newsletter.
Museum of Chinese in America
Artists Colin Chin and Nicholas Liem requested the Museum of Chinese in America remove their work from its collection, decrying MOCA’s acceptance of $35 million in funding from NYC as part of a jail expansion plan.
Over 100 activists boycotted the reopening of the Museum of Chinese in America, accusing the institution for “promoting displacement” of the Chinatown community.
Art and Law
Fifteen states have agreed to a deal in Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy reorganization plan, which will prohibit members of the Sackler family from lending their name to institutions over the next nine years until the family has paid off their debts.
The Italian government announced an official ban on cruise ships from Venice’s lagoon, declaring the waterway a national monument.
Acquisitions and Repatriation
The Minneapolis Institute of Art received a gift of nearly 800 works by Polish-American artist Theodore Roszak.
A joint agreement between the Peabody Museum, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma is currently underway to secure the return of Chief Standing Bear’s tomahawk.
In Other News
Bryan Zanisnik’s “Silk Monument” in New Jersey features archival images to honor the contributions of Syrian and Armenian migrants who worked in New Jersey silk mills.
The New-York Historical Society is expanding to host a permanent home for the American LGBTQ+ Museum.
Miami-based artists are stepping in to help the victims and families impacted by the Surfside condo collapse.
During a recorded conversation with activists, a police officer played Taylor Swift in an attempt to keep the recording off of YouTube.
Awards & Accolades
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has announced the recipients of its 2021 Art + Technology Lab grants. | Hyperallergic
Nadine Fattaleh and Oscar Humberto Pedraza Vargas were named the inaugural OSUN Center for Human Rights and the Arts Fellows at Bard College. | Hyperallergic
The Latinx Project announced its inaugural Public Humanities Fellows. | Latinx Project
The New York Foundation for the Arts awarded 92 New York-based artists a total of $616,000 as part of its 2021 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship. | Hyperallergic
Transitions
Sarah Calderon was named executive director of Creatives Rebuild New York.
Katherine Chan was appointed associate director of Galerie Lelong & Co.
Kathleen Greene was named chief audience officer, and Marissa Reibstein was named chief development officer, of Grounds For Sculpture.
Kreshaun McKinney was named director of learning and engagement of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Danyelle Means was appointed executive director of the Center for Contemporary Arts.
Jonah Nigh was named senior vice president for development and alumni engagement of the New School.
Cari B. Sacks was appointed chair of the board of trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Jessie Washburne-Harris was named vice president of Pace Gallery.
In Memoriam
Susann Craig (1936–2021), art collector and founder of Intuit
Bernette Ford (1950–2021), author and publisher | Publishers Weekly
Jane Kaufman (1938–2021), artist known for involvement in the Pattern and Decoration movement | ARTnews
Clare Peploe (1941–2021), film director | New York Times
Kristen Richards (1952–2021), art gallery owner and founder of ArchNewsNow | New York Times
Charlie Robinson (1945–2021), actor | Deadline
The Latest
Basking in Vermeer’s Light at Rijksmuseum
In Vermeer’s paintings, the world is much larger than we imagined and yet somehow deep, meaningful, and magical.
The Art World “Darling” Who Went Rogue
Joan Brown resented the easy commodification of her work, and the incessant demand for her to create something just so others could own it.
Tulsa Artist Fellowship Calls for Artists and Arts Workers of All Disciplines
Ten awardees will receive a total of more than $1.95 million in support and resources in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
How Anthony Daley Abstracts Rubens
In the work of Rubens, painter Anthony Daley finds correspondences of color that can carry expressive meanings abstractly.
Native Filmmakers Decolonize the Screen
“Only Indigenous voices can tell their stories with dimensionality, and the tools to make that happen are incredibly accessible,” says film director Christian Rozier.
Pedro Reyes Explores Disarmament in DIRECT ACTION at SITE Santa Fe
The Mexican artist confronts gun violence and nuclear power through sculpture, print, performance, and video work.
Netflix Forgot to Include Puerto Ricans in Production of Reggaeton Show
Critics say the new comedy series Neon was written, directed, and produced by non-Puerto Ricans.
It Was No Pearl Earring, Friends
The pearl earring in Johannes Vermeer’s famous masterpiece was likely a fake, researchers say.
Call for Applications: Inspiration Lab Artists-in-Residence at University of the Arts
Ten artists will receive studio space and access to faculty, staff, students, workshops, and programming at an arts institution in the heart of Philadelphia.
Hirshhorn’s New Reality Show Looks for America’s Next Top Artist
Seven artists will compete for a cash prize and a chance to exhibit their work at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum.
Indiana School Catches Heat for Plan to Deaccession Works
Top museums organizations condemned the Brauer Museum of Art’s plan to sell major artworks to fund the construction of new dorms.
Onsite Gallery Presents more-than-human
The media artworks in this show at Toronto’s OCAD University tell a tale of symbiosis, intersections, and more-than-human relationality.
New Hampshire Bakery Sues Town to Save Pastries Mural
The fight over the mural, painted by high school students, evolved into a First Amendment case.
US Museums Reduce Emissions With Help From Frankenthaler Foundation
Art museums and schools are encouraged to apply for the grants.