Dustin Yellin and Vik Muniz Converse on Instagram Live, via Art Observed
This week, artists Dustin Yellin and Vik Muniz sat down this week on Art Observed’s Instagram Live channel to discuss art, the current state of the world, and share insights into their practice. The full interview is now up on our Instagram channel. (more…)
Frieze New York has announced it will host online viewing rooms in lieu of its cancelled May event. “The Viewing Room will offer users the ability to virtually view artworks, such as paintings or photographs, to-scale and upon their own walls,” a statement reads. “Audiences will also be able to view video art and narrative content, and search for works by artist, price, medium, gallery and section, amongst other fields.” (more…)
A piece in the Boston Globe charts the impacts of COVID-19 on the Berkshires, where the arts have become a central economic driver, and which are now threatened by a shuttered cultural sector. (more…)
The Comité professionnel des galeries d’art, France’s trade organization for art galleries, notes that one third of all French galleries could be permanently shuttered due to the impacts of coronavirus. “I have not heard of one sale since mid-March,” says committee chair Marion Papillon, who chairs the committee. “Fairs will also have to adapt. There is no way they can apply the same conditions considering the decrease of activity which is predictable in the next years”. (more…)
Pace Gallery has furloughed 25 employees in New York over lost income due to COVID-19-related closures. “I’m kind of in limbo,” one worker says. “I’m receiving one more paycheck from Pace, and hopefully that will help me pay next month’s rent. Then we will see what happens next.” (more…)
The Guggenheim is facing a $10 million budget shortfall, resulting in announced furloughs and cuts to employee benefits. “The near- and long-term financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the Museum’s fiscal well-being is profound,” says director Richard Armstrong. “This decision did not come easily.” (more…)
Christie’s has been ordered to pay a fine of up to to $16.7 million for failing to collect sales tax on purchases. The fine follows an extensive investigation of the company’s tax practices, particularly its private sales arm and overseas branches. (more…)
A new report from the Center for an Urban Future charts the impacts of coronavirus on small arts orgs, surveying a broad range of venues and galleries on the impacts that pandemic-related closures and cancellations are causing. “Small, community-based arts venues are the cultural lifeblood of New York City and cities around the world. But unlike larger institutions and museums, few smaller cultural groups have the benefit of endowments or large donor bases to help cushion the blow as they experience staggering declines in revenue,” says Eli Dvorkin, Editorial & Policy Director, Center for an Urban Future. “Without immediate financial support to offset these losses, there’s a real danger that many of these organizations will not make it to the other side of this crisis. And the loss to our collective cultural lives is incalculable.” (more…)
The Whitney Museum has laid off 76 employees in response to budget pressure over COVID-19 related closures. “These are painful difficult times,” said President Adam Weinberg. “I want you to know I am grateful to all of you for everything you have done.” (more…)
The New York Botanical Garden has rescheduled its blockbuster show of works by Yayoi Kusama. The show will now take place in 2021. (more…)
The Met will pay all employees through May, as coronavirus closures continue, the New York Times reports. “Our highest priority remains to support our staff as best we can in helping to keep everyone safe and as financially secure as possible,” says president and CEO Daniel Weiss. “We realize that this announcement of a four-week extension of full salary support does not provide enduring comfort, but at the moment it is the best we can do in a rapidly evolving situation.” (more…)
Hans Ulrich Obrist has called for a massive public arts program to help jumpstart the arts economy again after the impact of coronavirus, likening the idea to the Great Depression’s WPA. “With the WPA, they went out into the community: artists got salaries and were able to research and create work during the New Deal era. It gave many people their first real jobs and commissions,” he says. (more…)
David Zwirner is welcoming a group of 12 small galleries to exhibit in his gallery’s digital viewing rooms, NYT reports. “We are grateful for any and all acts of solidarity in these incredibly difficulty times,” says Oliver Newton of 47 Canal, one of the galleries invited. (more…)
Art Observed would like to send out a message of support and encouragement to all affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Art Observed will be changing in reaction to a world that is itself in a state of change.
Restricted ability to physically engage with art work does not prevent us from the experience of viewing and thinking about art as well as connecting with each other in the process.
Art Observed will continue to transmit information on shows and the news surrounding them, but in new ways.
Art Observed will look to continue to support those in the art world whom we covered before, as well new participants whom we can connect with meaningfully through a digital format.
We also hope to continue to develop a passionate following of those interested in new phases and frontiers for art.
We invite all to collaborate with Art Observed as we look to adapt, restructure and continue our role to promote and support the art world.
While we look forward to returning to providing our readers and supporters live and timely coverage of art exhibitions, fairs and projects in the near future, we also look forward to taking this new step with you in the time in between.
If you are interested in exploring new strategies and ideas with Art Observed, please feel free to contact us at the handles below:
Email: info@artobserved.com
Instagram DM: @ArtObserved
Gerhard Richter, Painting After All (Installation View), via Art Observed
Editors Note: Art Observed was on site for the opening of the exhibition and photographed this show before the closings related to COVID-19.
The Met Breuer is closing its doors this summer, following a fittingly ambitious final exhibition, a sprawling review of the work of Gerhard Richter, marking the first major exhibition in the United States on the work of the German artist in nearly twenty years. (more…)
The UCLA Hammer Museum has laid off 150 part-time student employees, in what looks like the first major art world layoffs caused by coronavirus. “We hope that many of our part-time students will return to the Hammer later this summer,” a museum representative said. (more…)
Art Basel has postponed its June edition, rescheduling it for September. “Art Basel will continue to invest in and enhance its new digital platform – the Online Viewing Rooms – as a way to support galleries and strengthen the art community in these challenging times,” the organization said in a statement. (more…)
The unveiling of the next Fourth Plinth sculpture in London has been postponed over coronavirus fears. “We will support all the individuals and businesses involved in the commissioning, planning and operation of this installation during these challenging times,” says London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons. (more…)
Students in the Yale MFA program are demanding a partial refund of their tuition over the class cancellations due to coronavirus. “We are deeply troubled by the far-reaching repercussions of this event, which has tangible and unfathomable implications for our physical and mental health, financial security, professional careers, housing, and immigration status,” the students wrote in an open letter. “Moreover, it has severely curtailed the viability of the unrivaled visual arts education that SoA claims to provide. In light of these circumstances, we believe that financial reimbursement must play a part in the university’s forthcoming actions.” (more…)
With renovations at Notre Dame halted over coronavirus, thieves have broken into the cathedral, Art News reports. Two men were taken into custody after being spotted by guards. (more…)
Paul Kasmin, via Kasmin Gallery
Dealer Paul Kasmin, who was a formative voice in the development of the Chelsea gallery scene over the last 20 years has passed away at the age of 60. (more…)
