There’s always something going on in the art world. Every Sunday, Agora starts the new week by looking back at what happened the week before. Here are our top art news stories from March 20th – March 26th, 2016.
Source: hyperallergic
This week, artwork forgery and botched restorations ruled the news cycle, as the infamous Beast Jesus gets its own art centre and the plot thickens over the seized Cranach painting.
Top Art News Stories
The Public Given Chance to Nominate Artists for the Turner Prize
Members of the public are being given the opportunity to nominate someone for the Turner Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the art world. Given by London’s Tate museum, nominations of a British artist under fifty with exceptional work from this past year can be made via their website before April 4th. Full Story Here →
Beast Jesus Gets Its Own Arts Center
The town of Borja, Spain has opened its own art center dedicated to the 19th-century fresco that was transformed by amateur art restorer Cecilia Gimenez. The end result made Jesus look more like a primate than a person, and soon became an internet sensation. Borja’s Mayor Eduardo Arilla is certain the center will attract thousands of visitors, generating good revenue for the town and giving “‘the painting a new impetus'”. Full Story Here →
Large Haul of Looted Artifacts Returned to Italy
Hundreds of looted artifacts once in the hands of London art dealer Robin Symes have been returned to their rightful home of Italy. These artworks, dating from seventh century B.C.E. to second century A.D., include Bronze and stone sculptures as well as painted terracotta fragments. These works were found two years ago in a storage unit in the Geneva Freeport, which was called ‘”the largest undiscovered archeological site in the world'” by a consultant to the Italian Cultural Ministry. Mr. Symes will not be charged for the crime due to the statute of limitations on the loot that was committed decades ago. Full Story Here
Source: NY Times
South Street Seaport Museum receives $4.8 Million Grant
The South Street Seaport Museum is set to receive a $4.8 million grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The money will go towards the renovation of the museum that was damaged during Hurricane Sandy. An 11,000 square foot educational center will be built, and lighting will be refitted with money from the grant given by Governor Cuomo to be used for 14 city-wide projects. Full Story Here →
Source: NY Times
Plot Thickens in Dispute Over Seized Cranach Painting
A Lucas Cranach the Elder painting entitled Venus was removed from the Caumont Centre d’Art in France due to an anonymous source claiming it a forgery. A lawsuit on the matter has been ongoing since May of 2014. Phillippe Scarzella, the attorney representing the dealer of the painting, claims that this investigation also involves several other artworks. Venus has been sent to the National French Museum’s lab which previously confirmed the authenticity of the Hals painting, which bodes well for the Cranach as the works originated from the same dealer. Full Story Here →
Source: artnetnews
Florence Introduces New App to Curb Graffiti on Historic Landmarks
The non-profit organization Opera Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence has introduced a new app that allows visitors of Florence’s historic monuments to write on a digital reproduction of the monuments on IPads. The visitors can choose a surface to write on, and medium to write with, and their messages will be stored in the Opera del Duomo’s archive. The app was created to defer visitors from defacing the historic monuments with graffiti, giving them a fun and sneakily distracting option to satisfy their urge to leave their mark on the city. Full Story Here →
These are just some of the many news stories that caught our eye this past week. For more stories as-they-happen, be sure to also follow our Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for our newsletter for news about Agora Gallery, our exhibitions, and our artists!
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