The ongoing government shutdown has had far-reaching implications for national museums and galleries, many of which rely on major donations from private patrons to keep their doors open the rest of the year.  Unable to welcome important guests or potential donors, the current shutdown has kept museums like the National Gallery of Art from attracting new donors (whose contributions make up to 30% of the institution’s operating budget).   (more…)

Capitalizing on Atlantic City’s immense casino tax funds, New Jersey governor Chris Christie has launched a major public art campaign, installing large-scale works around the city.  A number of artists have already been recruited for the project, including Robert Barry, Kiki Smith, and John Roloff, with more to be announced soon.  “What makes my heart race is to bring artists into new situations where they have to interact with the people,” says curator Lance Fung. “There are around 30 million visitors here every year, and most of them are not art people.”  (more…)

The shortlist for the next installation on London’s Fourth Plinth has been released, calling on the public for “lively debate.”  Featuring works by David Shrigley, Hans Haacke, and Ugo Rondinone, among others, small maquettes of the sculptures are currently on view at The Crypt, St Martin-in-the Fields.  “The placing of challenging artwork amidst the historic surroundings of Trafalgar Square creates a delicious juxtaposition that gets people talking and debating, underpinning London’s reputation as a great world city for culture.”  Boris Johnson, London’s Mayor, said. (more…)

Opening September 16th, a former Getty filling station in West Chelsea is scheduled for conversion into a temporary public art program, beginning with an exhibition of sheep sculptures by the late French artist Francois-Xavier Lalanne.  The project was initially conceived by dealer Paul Kasmin, who represents the Lalanne estate, and real estate developer Michael Shvo, whose company purchased the station this summer.  Sheep Station, as it is called, will feature 25 of Lalanne’s “Mouton” sculptures, each made of epoxy stone and bronze.

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The Apology Line, a confessional telephone art project that enabled callers to phone in and confess their misgivings and misdeeds, has been revived in New York City.  Originally created by artist Allan Bridge, the project fell silent after Bridge was killed in a boating accident.  But recently, posters have reappeared across the city, thanks to the efforts of an anonymous Brooklyn artist.  “A voice inside of me said there’s no reason that the line had to die just because Allan died,” the unknown artist said in an interview with the NY Times. “It’s an outlet, and some people need that outlet.” (more…)

Henri Labrouste, Bibliothèque Sainte‐Geneviève, Paris, (1838‐1850) View of the reading room, Photograph Michel Nguyen © Bibliothèque Sainte‐Geneviève Michel Nguyen, courtesy of MoMA

Moving beyond mere architectural details, The Museum of Modern Art’s current exhibition, Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light,is not simply a survey of the French architect’s (1801-1875) work and influence, but also something of a meditation and retrospective on the library’s role in society.  As information continues its march from papers to servers, and books are routinely traded in digital form, Labrouste’s vision of the library as a central mechanism for the dissemination of knowledge offers an intriguing meditation on the significance, symbolism and vitality of the library today.  The show is also apropos here in New York as the city’s Central Public Library, in response to these changes, prepares for a potentially devastating renovation.

Henri Labrouste, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, (1838-1850) Southwest corner elevation and section (Late 1850), Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris

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