LONDON.- Christie’s announced that they will offer at auction the most important and comprehensive private collection of letters and books related to Winston Churchill ever assembled. Presenting an insight into the mind and methods of one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century, the collection was assembled over a period of more than 30 years by Malcolm S. Forbes Jr., son of the late Malcolm Forbes, grandson of Forbes magazine founder B. C. Forbes and chief executive of Forbes Inc. The collection will be offered in three parts; the first in London on 2 June, with a second section in New York on 3 December and a third part at South Kensington, London, in summer 2011. Thomas Venning, Director of Books and Manuscripts at Christie’s, London: “Winston Churchill is one of the most famous historical figures of the 20th century and his feats as a politician, and as the war
French Parliament Approves Return of Sixteen Maori Heads
PARIS (AP).- French lawmakers decided Tuesday to return 16 tattooed and mummified Maori heads to New Zealand, ending years of debate on what to do with the human remains acquired long ago by French museums seeking exotic curiosities. For years New Zealand has sought the return of Maori heads kept in collections abroad, many of which were obtained by Westerners in exchange for weapons and other goods. Dozens of museums worldwide, though not all, have agreed to return them. Maori, the island nation’s indigenous people, believe their ancestors’ remains should be respected in their home area without being disturbed. France’s National Assembly voted 437-8 on Tuesday to give back the 16 heads counted in France, including seven kept in storage at Paris’ Quai Branly museum for the primitive arts. The Senate has already OKed
Four Nominees Announced to Compete for Britain’s Turner Prize
LONDON (REUTERS).- Berlin-based Susan Philipsz, whose artworks center around recordings of her voice singing folk songs in public spaces, is one of the four nominees for Britain’s top art award. The Turner Prize, awarded to British artists under the age of 50 for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation, is handed out annually and traditionally attracts popular debate about the nature and role of art. Philipsz, 44, was nominated for presentations of her work at the International Festival of Visual Art in her native Glasgow and in Mirrors at the Museo de Arte Contemporanea de Vigo in Spain. “Whether encountered in a stairwell, supermarket or on a promenade, the artist’s voice interjects through the ambient noises of the everyday, often eliciting collective and subjective recollections or meditative introspection,” Tate Britain, which runs the Turner, said on Tuesday. Also on the shortlist is the Otolith Group comprising
Monet Masterpiece Donated to the National Gallery of Canada
OTTAWA.- The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) has acquired a spectacular Monet Masterpiece thanks to the generosity of Montreal fine arts’ connoisseur, philanthropist and National Gallery of Canada Foundation patron Marjorie Bronfman. Claude Monet’s, “Rock Needle seen through the Porte d’Aval”, 1886 is considered an innovative, daring and provocative painting created in the remote resort town of Étretat towards the end of a prodigious campaign on the Normandy coast. It is now on view in the NGC permanent collection galleries that are devoted to the Realists, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. “This painting reflects Marjorie Bronfman’s passion for art and her eye for excellence,” said NGC Director, Marc Mayer. “We are most grateful to her for this magnificent complement to
Masterwork by Yves Klein to Be Sold at Sotheby’s in London
LONDON.- Sotheby’s London Contemporary Art Evening Sale on Monday, 28 June, 2010 will be spearheaded by a remarkable Yves Klein work, “RE 49, Relief Eponge Bleu”, which comes to auction from the collection HypoVereinsbank. This work is one of exceptionally few large-scale blue “Relief Eponge” works remaining in private hands and was created at the climax of Klein’s artistic career. The painting will be offered for sale with an estimate of £4.5-6.5 million. Discussing the work, Cheyenne Westphal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Contemporary Art Europe, commented: “We are honoured to be offering in our June Contemporary Art Evening Sale this rare and stunning work, which showcases Yves Klein’s boundless creativity and cements his position as one of the great artists of the 20th century. Executed just before his untimely death in 1962, Klein’s extraordinary sponge reliefs represent the culmination
Martin Bethenod Named Director of Palazzo Grassi-Punta della Dogana
VENICE.- François Pinault, President of Palazzo Grassi SpA, has appointed Martin Bethenod as the new Director of Palazzo Grassi SpA in charge of Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice. Martin Bethenod will take up the position on the 1st June 2010. Martin Bethenod, 44, has been General Director of FIAC (The International Contemporary Art Fair) in Paris, for 6 years since 2004. Before this he was in charge of the Visual Arts Department at the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (2003 – 2004). He is also heading the artistic direction of the Nuit Blanche 2010 in Paris. Having managed major projects both for public arts institutions and private organisations, Martin Bethenod will be a key interlocutor with the City of Venice, and Venetian and Italian institutions. François Pinault said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin Bethenod to the team in Venice. His knowledge of contemporary art, his solid experie
Picasso Sells at Christie’s for $106.5 Million, a Record for a Work of Art Sold at Auction
NEW YORK, NY (AP).- A 1932 Pablo Picasso painting of his mistress has sold for $106.5 million, a world record price for any work of art at auction. “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust,” which had a pre-sale estimate of between $70 million and $90 million, was sold at Christie’s auction house on Tuesday evening to an unidentified telephone bidder. There were nine minutes of bidding involving eight clients in the sale room and on the phone, Christie’s said. At $88 million, two bidders remained. The final bid was $95 million, but the buyer’s premium took the sale price to $106.5 million. Conor Jordan, head of impressionist and modern art for Christie’s New York, said he was “ecstatic with the results.” “Tonight’s spectacular results showed the great confidence in the marketplace and the enthusiasm with which it welcomes top quality works,” he said. The striking work of Picasso’s muse and mistress Marie-Therese Walter has been exhibited
Mexican President Felipe Calderón Visits Frida Kahlo Exhibition at Martin Gropius Bau
BERLIN.- As part of the celebrations for the Mexican Independence Bicentennial and Revolution Centennial, President Felipe Calderón attended the exhibition entitled: Frida Kahlo Retrospective at the Martin Gropius, during his state visit to Berlin, Germany. Accompanied by his wife Margarita Zavala and Foreign Affairs Secretary, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the Mexican president highlighted the importance of the art of this Mexican artist, whom he regarded as a link between Germany and Mexico. “Frida is a universal Mexican, who has stopped being merely Mexican and has become a global artistic icon and a global icon of female strength.” “This irreplaceable woman loved throughout her life. She dearly loved people such as her father, Guillermo Kahlo, who was born in Germany,” he said. He said that this exhibition is proves that Mexican art continues to grow and reinforce the solid friendship linking these two nations. President Calderón and his staff toured the museum halls display
Crow Collection of Asian Art Presents Bamboo Works from the Clark Center and the Art of Motoko Maio
DALLAS, TX.- Pairing the traditional arts of basket making and screen making, Modern Twist, Bamboo Works from the Clark Center and the Art of Motoko Maio debuted at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas. For centuries, bamboo baskets and folding screens have played important roles in everyday life, embodying the principle that the fusion of utility and beauty permeates all Japanese art. The dual exhibition features a selection of bamboo works by various artists from the Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture in Hanford, California, and exquisite folding screens by artist Motoko Maio. Free and open to the public, the Modern Twist exhibition will run through Sunday, September 5. “Modern Twist is really two exhibitions in one presentation, with the hope of ‘value added.’ Screens and baskets are quintessential Japanese art forms: both play important roles in ceremonies as well as daily life; both serve fu
Everson Announces Groundbreaking Gift from Local Foundation
SYRACUSE, NY.- The Everson Museum of Art announced it is the recipient of a $300,000 matching grant from The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation. This gift will create a strong foundation for the Everson 2010 general operating budget, and encourage others to contribute to the museum’s financial health. The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation will match any new contributions or increased gifts to the Everson Museum of Art up to $300,000 through December 31, 2010. The Everson hopes to meet the full match through an individual membership campaign as well as a corporate support campaign. “Mr. & Mrs. Reisman were long-time supporters of the Everson and we are thrilled that the Foundation recognizes the importance of art in our community, and the role the Everson has in keeping it accessible to all,” said Steven Kern, Everson Museum of Art Executive Director. “We have proven that the community