the asia pivot state of play 2026 02 12

A flurry of art fair activity across Asia marked the early weeks of 2026. Art Basel's inaugural Qatar edition broke format with single-artist presentations, focusing on MENASA artists and discreet institutional buying. The India Art Fair in New Delhi reported strong sales for local and international galleries, while new fairs launched in Jakarta, Manila, and Hong Kong. Tokyo Gendai announced its return, and Art Basel's digital platform Zero 10 expanded to Hong Kong.

art bites barbie museum collection

Mattel and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have announced a five-year global partnership, launching their first collaborative collection of seven MoMA-inspired Barbie dolls. The debut lineup includes a Van Gogh Barbie featuring a gown inspired by *Starry Night* (1889), alongside other dolls drawing from iconic artworks. This new collection follows Mattel's earlier 2015 Museum Collection, designed by Linda Kyaw, which included Barbies styled after works by Gustav Klimt, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh, such as a Da Vinci Barbie modeled after the *Mona Lisa* and a Klimt Barbie based on *Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I* (1907).

artist stuart semple trademark infringement lawsuit yves klein estate easy blue paint

British artist Stuart Semple has lost a trademark infringement lawsuit in a French court filed by the estate of Yves Klein. The court ruled that Semple's product “Easy Klein Incredibly Kleinish Blue” violated the Yves Klein trademark, ordering him to pay €16,000 ($18,200) in damages and legal fees. Semple, who claims he was unaware of the lawsuit until it was reported, has two months to appeal. The lawsuit was brought by Yves Amu Klein, the artist's son and operator of Pia Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with Blue Bay Limited, which holds the international trademark for “Yves Klein.” Semple released the paint in 2021 after a decade of development.

olo new color yolo stuart semple

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new color called "olo" that cannot be seen under normal conditions. The color, described as a highly saturated blue-green, was perceived by five human subjects during tests using a complex laser system and custom software named Oz. The team published their findings in *Science Advances* on April 18, explaining that olo results from stimulating only the medium-wavelength cone cells in the retina, a feat not possible with natural light. British artist Stuart Semple has since created a physical paint called YOLO, claiming it is the closest approximation to this elusive color, priced at $10,000 per 150ml bottle.

A new Romaeuropa Festival approaches. Here is what the 2026 edition of the review will be like

Si avvicina un nuovo Romaeuropa Festival. Ecco come sarà l’edizione 2026 della rassegna

The 41st edition of the Romaeuropa Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, scheduled to run from September 8 to November 15 across various venues in Rome. Under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Grifasi, the multidisciplinary festival will feature a robust program of contemporary dance, theater, and music. Highlights include the Italian premiere of Sofia Nappi’s 'Chora', a world premiere of Romeo Castellucci’s 'Faust', and a special celebration of the Rome-Paris twinning anniversary featuring choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

The Flat Gallery in Milan Relocates: New 280 sqm Space Near Central Station

La galleria The Flat di Milano trasloca: nuovo spazio da 280 mq vicino alla Stazione Centrale

The Flat – Massimo Carasi gallery is relocating to a new 280-square-meter space near Milan’s Central Station after 18 years in the Porta Venezia district. To mark the opening on April 9, 2026, the gallery will present "Here… Now!", a group exhibition featuring artists such as Hiva Alizadeh, Michael Johansson, and Leonardo Ulian. The show serves as a retrospective of the gallery’s history since its founding in 2002, showcasing the experimental and international practices that define its program.