There’s always something going on in the art world. Every Monday, Agora starts the new week by looking back at what happened the week before. Here are our top art news stories from January 17th – January 23rd 2016.
Image Source: Archinect
This week we saw major expansions at the Met & Smithsonian, stolen art, and an exhibition that tackles the “future of the planet.”
Top Art News Stories
Mandy Barker, Hong Kong Soup: Spilt (2012). Photo source: Artnet News
FotoFest 2016 and the Future of Earth
The 34 participating artists in the upcoming FotoFest International festival have been announced. The theme of the show explores environmental issues and the future of our planet and the preview of the participating artists looks fascinating. See some of the participating artists’ artwork: at Artnet News →
David Rubenstein Donates $10m to The Smithsonian
Philanthropist David Rubenstein has donated $10 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture’s capital campaign. The museum has set a goal of $270 million to fund exhibitions and renovations. So far they have raised $252 million of the target goal. As a way of giving thanks to Rubenstein, the museum will name the centerpiece of its new gallery the David M. Rubenstein History Galleries. Full Story Here →
Source: artnetnews
Women Celebrated at Cologne Art Show
An exhibition called “Exquisite Corpse” opened on January 22nd in Cologne after the wake of over 200 cases of sexual assault on New Years Eve. The exhibition includes work by 11 female artists and aims to tackle assumptions regarding the female body. The show will include works by Poppy Jackson, Kate Durban and 9 other female artists. Full Story Here →
“Odalisque in Red Pants,” by Matisse, which had been stolen in 2002 and returned in 2012.
Artworks by Chagall, Matisse, & More Stolen From Trailer in LA
Several artworks by Leroy Neiman, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse have been stolen, along with the trailer that housed them, from an industrial park in LA. The works, with a combined value of $250,000, were taken in November and questions are being asked as to why it is only now being made public. Bafflingly, the owner had left his valuable collection parked on the street because he had “run out of storage space.” Full Story Here →
Tracey Emin Set to Create Fine Jewelry Collection
The English artist Tracey Emin, known for her neon text artwork, has teamed up with British couture jeweler Stephen Webster, who will turn her key motifs into jewelry. The collection, which has been named I Promise to Love You will include necklaces, bracelets and cuffs. The jewelry will spell out phrases used in Emin’s work. Some of the items are already available on Net-a-Porter. Full Story Here →
Source: artnetnews
Met Announces Plans for Major Expansion
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced plans for a major expansion, which is set to include 180,000 square feet of gallery space. Parts of the museum have been designated as landmarked, so the changes will first have to be given the go-ahead by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The expansion may include galleries for the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. 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!
We love to hear from you. Tell us about the art and news that you’ve seen online or in person this week!
