Art Industry News: Jeff Koons Seriously Considered Going to the Moon for Project NFT, But ‘Really Couldn’t’ Make the Time + Other Stories

Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most important developments in the art world and the art market. Here’s what you need to know this Friday, June 24.

NEED TO READ

See the first official portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – The first official portrait of the future King William and his wife Kate has been revealed, with the Duchess wearing an emerald green outfit by British designer The Vampire’s Wife. The photorealistic artwork was painted by award-winning British painter Jamie Coreth. (vogue)

Brad Pitt is a huge Charles Ray fan – In an intimate interview with author Ottessa Moshfegh, Pitt says he doesn’t consider himself an artist; he describes his well-known practice of ceramics as “a kind of tactile sport”. But he and Moshfegh bond out of love for the work of another sculptor (and mutual acquaintance): Charles Ray. Pitt, who visited the artist’s recent exhibition at the Pinault Collection, was particularly impressed by Ray’s study on paper. corpus Christi, a 17th century sculpture by Alessandro Algardi. (QG)

Jeff Koons actually considered going to the Moon as part of his NFT project – The artist has revealed he’s actually thought about going to the moon himself as part of his multi-phase NFT sculpting project with NASA and SpaceX, which will launch the first sculptures into space at the end of the month. ‘fall. “But I realized it was really going to take a year of commitment of my time,” Koons said. “And with everything going on in the studio and with my job, I really couldn’t do that.” (New York Times)

Hong Kong sales show signs of slowing – Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips made a combined total of HK$2.4 billion (about $310 million) from their recent evening sales in Hong Kong, down 30% from what they did in the spring. 2021. A combination of factors, including a decrease in the number of hits and fewer batches in general, caused the crisis. (Barrons)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Cecilia Vicuña joins the Xavier Hufkens Gallery – The 74-year-old Chilean artist star continues to rise as Xavier Hufkens adds him to his roster. The painter received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the recent Venice Biennale, will create the next Hyundai commission at Tate’s Turbine Hall and has an exhibition at the Guggenheim in New York. She continues to be represented by Lehmann Maupin. (Press release)

Timothy Taylor is expanding in New York – Veteran London gallerist Timothy Taylor will open an outpost in Tribeca next year, replacing the current Chelsea townhouse. The 6,000 square foot space at 74 Leonard Street will be renovated by architectural firm studioMDA. The gallery has also hired Cheim & Read alum Stephen Truax as a director in New York. (Press release)

Catherine Wood gets a promotion – The senior curator for international art at Tate is promoted to program director (or, as the Brits call it, ‘programme’) for Tate Modern, where she has worked for 20 years. In his new role, Wood will oversee exhibitions, presentations, commissions, performances, film screenings and community projects. (ART news)

Khan and Mason Foundation Award $800,000 – Six cultural institutions in the United States are recipients of an $800,000 grant from the Wolf Kahn Foundation and the Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation. These include the New York Botanical Garden, the International Print Center, and the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in Vermont. Each beneficiary receives $100,000. (art forum)

FOR ART

National Gallery unveils anniversary breakout plans – For his 200th anniversary in 2024, the National Gallery is planning a year-long festival of “art, creativity and imagination”. Twelve exhibitions in 12 museums and galleries across the UK will open on May 10, 2024, each focusing on a national treasure from the collection. Back in London, ‘Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers’ will be a highlight, featuring works never before seen by the public. (evening standard)

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