June 20 | Theft at the Skulptur Projekte

Article
In a show of remarkable equanimity, Ei Arakawa has begun work on a replacement for the “painting” stolen at Skulptur Projekte Münster last week. In other news, André Saraiva a.k.a. ANDRÉ joins the Magda Danysz Gallery and The Sunday Painter - one of the most interesting galleries in London - is moving.

Ei Arakawa work stolen at Skulptur Projekte Münster

Arakawa’s Harsh Citation, Harsh Pastoral, Harsh Münster (2017) went missing last weekend at the 2017 edition of Skulptur Projekte Münster, Germany. The work — one of a series of seven LED panels displaying animated versions of paintings by artists such as Joan Mitchell and Amy Sillman, accompanied by music composed by Christian Noujoks with lyrics co-written by Arakawa and Dan Poston — was installed in a remote field near Lake Aa in Münster.

Police have begun an investigation, whilst Arakama has begun working on a replacement, to be installed on July 1. The other six paintings were not touched. Displaying an impressive level of equanimity, Arakawa observed: “This is a really interesting ‘performance’ in a way, revealing how vulnerable art in public space can be, and how public space can be violent.” Details via ARTnews.

 

Ei Arakawa, Harsh Citation, Harsh Pastoral, Harsh Münster (2017)

 

 

Magda Danysz to represent André Saraiva a.k.a. ANDRÉ

Magda Danysz Gallery (Paris, London, Shanghai) is to represent European artist André Saraiva a.k.a. ANDRÉ, and will collaborate with the artist on an inaugural exhibition of works in Shanghai, including paintings, drawing and multimedia work made in Shanghai by ANDRÉ, paying tribute to traditional chinese techniques such as ceramics.

Over the course of his four decade career, ANDRÉ (born in Sweden and raised in France by Portuguese parents) has cultivated his iconic graffiti character Mr A., which has recently evolved into a more conceptual practice.  

 

André Saraiva a.k.a. ANDRÉ, Mr. A

 

 

London’s The Sunday Painter leaves Peckham

Gallery staple to the South London art scene, The Sunday Painter is to leave Peckham and relocate to a two-floor space in the more central — though still south of the Thames — Vauxhall.   

The gallery’s founder Will Jarvis explained that the move both reflects The Sunday Painter’s increasingly international relevance, and the limited space available in the now crowded Peckham whose commercial galleries include Hannah Barry and Bosse & Baum. The opening is scheduled for October, in time for the Frieze fairs, and will feature a solo exhibition by US artist Cynthia Daignault. Details via The Financial Times

 

The Sunday Painter | Cynthia Daignault, Anthea Hamilton (2017)

 

 

Sotheby’s Europe hire new managing director

Jan Prasens has been appointed the new managing director of Sotheby’s Europe. Though Prasens will be based in London, he will oversee the company’s operations in the Middle East, Russia, India and Africa. The past decade has seen Prasens advance Sotheby’s financial services, serving as a member of Sotheby’s senior management team. Prior to his post leading Sotheby’s financial services, Prasens worked for the company’s corporate finance team, and became treasurer in 2006.

 

Jan Prasens, Sotheby's ©

 

 

Damien Hirst forger accused arrested in New Orleans

Art counterfeiter, Vincent Lopreto was arrested in New Orleans on Wednesday, June 14, for attempting to sell $400,000-worth of forged Damien hirst prints to international collectors in Manhattan and abroad. Extradited to Manhattan yesterday, Lopreto pleaded not guilty to five counts of grand larceny, two counts of attempted grand larceny, and four counts of scheme to defraud. However, along with accomplices, Marco Saverino and Paul Motta, Lopreto was caught in the act — attempting to sell fake works to an undercover investigator and four Manhattan buyers between October 2015 and February 2017. Details The New York Times