April 19 | A daily digest of art news

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Mark Bradford will represent the U.S. at the 2017 Venice Biennale. Rose Art Museum director Christopher Bedford — co-curator of the American pavilion alongside art critic Katy Siegel — explained his choice in an official statement, where he spoke of Mark Bradford as “the leading abstract painter of his generation”.

Bradford’s work will be featured in Venice from May 13 through November 26, 2017. The New York Times has more information.

WIll François Pinault finally bring his collection to Paris? After the flop that was the 2005 île Seguin project, and with part of his collection now exhibited at the Palazzo Grassi of Venice, the billionaire’s looks set to choose La Bourse de commerce de la Ville de Paris to present part of his art collection. The 14.000 square meter building, property of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and next to Les Halles, could be bought by the Mairie de Paris. The city might then sign a long-term lease with François Pinault. Read more (in French) on LesEchos.


The project for a Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Beirut is finally taking shape.
A shortlist of 13 architects has been announced by The Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon, the organization behind the institution. The 2,780 square meter museum could open its doors in 2020, The Art Newspaper reports.


Mikhail Kamensky has stepped down from his role as Managing Director of Sotheby's Russia. The news was revealed by Art Newspaper journalist Melanie Gerlis on Twitter. Kamensky will be replaced by Sotheby’s Russia Senior Director Irina Stepanova.


Volta 12 Basel — the annual fair running from June 13 through 18 during Art Basel week — has revealed its list of exhibitors: this year the fair will welcome 68 galleries from 20 countries. Read more on Artnet News.