London dealers show uncertainty in the face of Brexit deal
A survey published by London Art Fair — running from January 18 through 22 — shows that 49% of participating galleries believe that “free movement of people and goods within the EU” is to be prioritized in the face of a potential Brexit deal, “to ensure London remains a global art hub post-Brexit.” The news comes after prime minister Theresa May has confirmed that Britain will leave the single European market during a speech at the House of Lords.
The second greater priority for exhibitors is to maintain “the current low tax status for importing and exporting goods.” The survey has also provided information about London dealers’ view on the future of the art market; 47% believe that it will fare worse in the coming years, whilst 14% believe that it get better and another 39% believe that no major shifts will occur in 2017. More information is available via London Art Fair’s official website.
Contemporary Istanbul joins forces with city’s biennial
Following the recent streak of terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Contemporary Istanbul (CI) has announced it will now take place in September to coincide with the city’s biennial, under the name of Istanbul Art Week. The move represents an attempt on the part of the two art events to boost Turkish tourism, which has greatly suffered in the last couple of years.
Both CI and the Istanbul biennial will take place between September 14 and 17. Kamiar Maleki, director of CI, has affirmed that he aims for international galleries and institutions to represent half of the exhibitors at the next edition of the fair. Ali Güreli, chairman of CI, has further commented that the overall aim is to make it “more accessible to buy and sell art in Istanbul.” Read more on The Art Newspaper.
Marguerite Humeau takes home the 2017 Zurich Art Prize
French artist Marguerite Humeau is the winner of this year’s edition of the Zurich Art Prize.
The prize is endowed with $100,000, of which $20,000 go directly to the artist and $80,000 towards a solo exhibition at the Museum Haus Konstruktiv in Zürich. Humeau is the first artist to profit from the additional $20,000 cash prize, which was established this year on occasion of the award’s ten-year anniversary. Established in 2007, the prize supports artists whose work engages with “the cultural heritage of constructivist-concrete and conceptual art”. Humeau, who has previously shown at MoMA, Manifesta 11 and Palais de Tokyo, was chosen for her capacity to “formulate an independent position characterized by scientific curiosity and precision, while also sharing parallels with the scientific basis of constructivist-concrete art.” Last year, the prize was awarded to Iranian artist Nairy Baghramian. Read more on the Museum Haus Konstruktiv’s official website.
Marguerite Humeau, "ECHO", exhibition view Palais de Tokyo, Paris, 2016
Anti-trump art show raises $50,000 to support Planned Parenthood
The show NASTY WOMEN, which took place at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth Queens between January 12 and 15, has raised $50,000 to support Planned Parenthood.
The exhibition was organized to show solidarity in the face of the “recent and ongoing threats to women’s rights.” Some 600 hundred female artists, self-identifying as “nasty women” took part, in order to “act as a catalyst for conversation, organization, and action preceding the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2016.” Over 4000 visitors attended the exhibition, where all 1,000 artworks on view were priced at less $100. The additional $8,020 coming from general admission tickets were split between the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the New York Immigration Coalition, Girls for Gender Equity, and SisterSong. Read more on artnet news.
Forgeries
The “biggest art scandal of the century” has claimed another painting.
Sotheby’s is in fact claiming that Saint Jerome, a canvas attributed to Parmigianino and sold by the auction house in 2012 for $842,500, is a modern fake. The company has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the painting’s consignor, French art historian Lionel de Saint Donat-Pourrières, who is refusing to return his share of the profits, amounting to $672,000. This is the last forgery case in a streak of scandals that came to light last October, involving Old Master fakes — which were sold at Sotheby’s for a total of $255 million. More on artnet news.
Three new board members at the Warhol Foundation
New York’s Warhol Foundation has appointed three new board members: Ruby Lerner, Anne Pasternak, and Paul Ha. Igor DaCosta.
DaCosta, who was also appointed as the foundation’s new board chair, is managing director of Portfolio Advisors LLC. Lerner is the founding director of Creative Capital, whilst Pasternak is director of the Brooklyn Museum. Joel Wachs, president of the Warhol Foundation, has said of the appointments that they will give the “strength of proven leadership in the foundation’s most important constituencies”. More on Artforum.
