Olivia Rodrigo’s New Music Video Is a Dizzying Romp Through Versailles

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo has released the music video for her new single "Drop Dead," filmed on location at the Palace of Versailles. Directed by Petra Collins, the production marks the first time a music video has been granted permission to film inside the palace's royal apartments, including the Queen's Bedroom and the Grand Couvert Antechamber. The video features Rodrigo performing alongside historic masterpieces, such as Pierre Mignard’s 17th-century tapestry "Apollo and the Muses on Mount Parnassus."

Crown's New Art Project

Crown Equipment has announced the construction of the Modern Aboriginal Art Museum in New Bremen, Ohio, a 23,700-square-foot facility scheduled to open in late 2026. The museum will house one of North America’s largest collections of contemporary Australian Aboriginal art, featuring over 100 paintings and sculptures. The project stems from the company’s 60-year business history in Australia and follows the philanthropic model of Crown’s previous local cultural investments.

Restoration of L’Aquila’s Teatro San Filippo, Damaged by Earthquake, Concludes After 17-Year Closure

Si conclude all’Aquila il recupero del Teatro San Filippo danneggiato dal terremoto. Era chiuso da 17 anni

The Teatro San Filippo in L’Aquila has officially completed a comprehensive restoration process after being shuttered for 17 years due to the devastating 2009 earthquake. The reopening ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, marks the return of a historic site that originated as a 17th-century Baroque church before being converted into a theater and artistic hub in the 1970s. The project was funded through a combination of state resources and private donations, including significant contributions from the "Artisti Uniti per l’Abruzzo" initiative.

Taiwanese Indigenous artist stripped of national prize after sexual assault conviction

Taiwan has revoked the National Award for Arts from Indigenous artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung after his sexual assault conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Culture and the National Culture and Arts Foundation announced the withdrawal on 17 April 2025, and Pavavaljung must return the NT$1 million prize. The conviction stems from a February 2021 incident involving a woman under his artistic mentorship; he was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. Allegations first surfaced in December 2021 via social media, prompting further accusations. Pavavaljung had previously been dropped from representing Taiwan at the Venice Biennale and suspended from Documenta 15.

Sonic investigations non-profit to be artist-in-residence at London's Gasworks

The non-profit organization Earshot, founded by artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan, has been awarded a three-year studio bursary at London's Gasworks. The bursary, backed by Spanish patron Mercedes Vilardell, provides an annual stipend and covers monthly rent for a studio space at the south London exhibition and residency space. Earshot uses sound in the defense of human and environmental rights, and the residency gives it a platform to operate independently after an incubation period with Forensic Architecture. Abu Hamdan and Earshot will also take over the Barbican Centre this autumn for an event titled Repercussions, featuring installations, performances, screenings, and live music.

Gearing Up for Venice

The 2026 Venice Biennale's awards jury has announced it will not consider artists from countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, specifically naming Israel and Russia. In other news, satellite imagery confirms Azerbaijan demolished an Armenian church in Artsakh, the World Press Photo of the Year was awarded to Carol Guzy for an image of ICE detaining a father, and Argentine abstract painter Ides Kihlen died at age 108. Hyperallergic also published a guide to the Biennale by Hrag Vartanian and reported on Lynda Roscoe Hartigan's appointment as director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Nations Charged With Crimes Against Humanity Will Not Be Considered for Venice Biennale Awards

The jury for the 2026 Venice Biennale announced it will not consider contributions from countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity for the Golden and Silver Lion awards, effectively excluding Israel and Russia. The decision, framed as a commitment to human rights and aligned with curator Koyo Kouoh's vision, comes amid broader controversy over participating pavilions, including American artists declining to represent the US and the EU withdrawing a $2.3 million grant over Russia's involvement.

Venice Biennale Awards Jury Won’t Consider Russia and Israel

The international awards jury for the 61st Venice Biennale has announced it will not consider countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prizes. The all-women jury, chaired by Solange Farkas, published a statement on e-flux declaring this policy, which implicitly targets Russia and Israel, whose leaders Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu face ICC warrants. The jury is responsible for awarding Golden Lions for the best national pavilion and best artist in the central exhibition. A majority of artists in the main show issued an open letter supporting the decision, while the Biennale Foundation faces criticism for allowing both nations to participate in 2026.

Berlin Modern Museum Delayed Again as Moisture Damage Pushes Opening to 2030

Berlin's long-awaited Berlin Modern museum has been delayed again, with its opening now pushed to 2030 due to moisture damage in the building's shell and microbial contamination in other parts of the structure. The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation announced the delay after the Berlin-Brandenburg Broadcasting Corporation broke the story. The Herzog & de Meuron-designed building, originally scheduled to open this year as the Museum of the 20th Century, has faced multiple setbacks since groundbreaking in December 2019, with completion dates slipping from 2026 to 2028, then 2029, and now 2030. The project's cost has ballooned from €200 million to €507 million.

Azerbaijan Destroys Armenian Holy Mother of God Church in Artsakh

Satellite imagery obtained by Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW) confirms that the Azerbaijani regime has demolished the Holy Mother of God Church in Stepanakert, the former capital of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The church, consecrated in 2019 after 12 years of construction, was destroyed within the last eight weeks, as evidenced by Sentinel-2 satellite images from March 3 and April 2. The Artsakh Tourism and Cultural Development Agency announced the destruction on April 21, three days before the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This demolition follows a pattern of damage to Armenian religious and cultural sites since the forced displacement of over 130,000 Armenians in September 2023.

According to an AI, El Greco would actually be the sole author of the 'Baptism of Christ' in Toledo, long considered a workshop work

Selon une IA, Greco serait en réalité l’unique auteur du « Baptême du Christ » de Tolède, longtemps considéré comme une œuvre d’atelier

A new study published in Science Advances uses an AI tool called Patch to analyze the monumental painting "Le Baptême du Christ" (1608–1614) by El Greco, long believed to be a workshop piece completed by his son Jorge Manuel Theotocópuli. By mapping the 3D microtopography of the brushstrokes and comparing them with El Greco's authenticated "Christ on the Cross" at the Cleveland Museum of Art, the AI found consistent painterly gestures across the entire work, suggesting the master himself painted it despite tremors from neurological disorders in his old age.

The New Entrance of the Louvre

La nouvelle entrée du Louvre

The article, titled "La nouvelle entrée du Louvre," reports on the upcoming redesign of the main entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris. It also covers several other art-world stories: the return of American Rousseau works to Paris, the growing trend of outsourcing museum reception services, the New Museum's expansion, the troubled Musée des Tissus project, and Art Brussels adapting to contemporary trends.

Berlin Modern Museum Construction Delayed Until 2030

Museumsbau Berlin Modern verzögert sich bis 2030

The completion of Berlin Modern, a major new museum in Berlin, has been delayed again until 2030 due to moisture damage and microbial infestation found in parts of the raw structure. The Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK) announced an estimated eight-month postponement, though no construction stop was required. The museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, is being built near Potsdamer Platz to expand the Neue Nationalgalerie's exhibition space. Costs have risen from an initial €200 million to a projected €507 million.

Venice Golden Lion jury won’t consider Russian and Israeli pavilions

The jury for the Golden and Silver Lion awards at the 61st Venice Biennale has announced it will not consider the national pavilions of any country whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. This decision specifically excludes Russia, whose president Vladimir Putin is charged with unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, and Israel, whose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is charged with targeting Palestinian civilians and using starvation as a weapon. The jury, presided over by Solange Oliveira Farkas and including Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, issued a full statement explaining their commitment to human rights and alignment with the curatorial vision of the late Koyo Kouoh.

Statement of Intention by the International Jury of the 61st International Art Exhibition In Minor Keys of La Biennale di Venezia

The international jury for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled "In Minor Keys," has issued a statement declaring their intention to exclude from consideration any countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. The jury, chaired by Solange Farkas and including members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, was selected by artistic director Koyo Kouoh to award the Golden and Silver Lions among the 110 artists in the exhibition.

Berlin Museum Oversees Digital Resurrection of Hundreds of Paintings Destroyed During World War II

Berlin's Gemäldegalerie is digitally reconstructing hundreds of Old Master paintings by artists like Rubens, Veronese, van Dyck, and Caravaggio that were destroyed in fires near the end of World War II. The project uses high-resolution scans of glass negatives, primarily photographed by Gustav Schwarz between 1925 and 1944, to create detailed online renderings that will be publicly accessible for viewing and download later this year.

Jiaqi Wang gives a new face and a new style to Miss Chiquita for this Milan Art Week 2026

Jiaqi Wang dà un nuovo volto e un nuovo tratto a Miss Chiquita per questa Milano Art Week 2026

Chiquita has selected Chinese-born, New York-based illustrator and animator Jiaqi Wang as the third artist for its 'Pop by Nature' campaign, which connects the brand with contemporary art. Wang has reinterpreted the brand's iconic Miss Chiquita mascot with her signature vibrant colors, clean lines, and scenes of daily life. The campaign includes out-of-home installations, urban interventions like a mural in Milan, limited-edition banana stickers, and culminates with an immersive 'Miss Chiquita House' experience during Milan Art Week 2026.

Caravaggio and Rubens works destroyed by fire in Second World War are brought back to (digital) life

The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin has completed the digitization of its high-resolution glass-negative archive, which documents hundreds of Old Master paintings destroyed in a fire at the end of the Second World War. The collection includes lost works by Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Paolo Veronese, which were stored in a flak tower for protection and burned in May 1945.

Collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos’s NEON to Conclude After ‘Having Fulfilled Its Mission’

NEON, the Athens-based contemporary art initiative founded by collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos, will conclude its activities later this year after 14 years. Its final project is a trilogy of exhibitions by artist Michael Rakowitz at the Acropolis Museum, with the last installment set for 2026. The organization also announced it has fulfilled its cultural and social mission.

Dem Djupatonen (The Deep Tone), 1984 by Everlyn Nicodemus

The article is a promotional statement from an art platform, not a news report. It describes a partnership model where the platform collaborates with leading galleries to present artists and exhibitions, with membership granted through application and invitation. The platform positions itself as an art advisory leader with high-level access to influential galleries, collectors, and auction houses.

In the Ocean, 1986 by Everlyn Nicodemus

The article is a promotional statement from an art advisory or gallery partnership platform, not a news report about a specific event. It describes a service that partners with leading galleries to showcase artists and exhibitions, vetted by industry peers, and positions itself as a leader in art advisory with access to influential galleries, collectors, and auction houses.

Mama, 1985 by Everlyn Nicodemus, Acrylic on canvas, 77 x 68 cm (1)

The article is a promotional statement from an art advisory or media platform, describing its business model and services. It partners with leading galleries through a vetted membership process and positions itself as a leader in art advisory with high-level access to galleries, collectors, and auction houses. It also states a mission to celebrate contemporary art through editorial content.

New Building at Burg Halle Takes Shape

Neubau an der Burg Halle nimmt Form an

The long-delayed new building for the Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (University of Art and Design Halle) is moving forward, with a construction start now planned for autumn 2027. The Finance Committee of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament has approved the updated cost estimate of around 42 million euros, clearing the way for the project. While the building was originally slated for completion in 2027, a more realistic finish date is now 2030, with preparatory moves and demolition work scheduled to begin in late 2026.

Whistler's Audain Art Museum Raises a Record-Breaking $1.5 Million at Annual Gala Marking its 10-Year Anniversary

The Audain Art Museum in Whistler, British Columbia, raised a record-breaking $1.5 million at its 2026 annual gala, marking the institution's 10-year anniversary. The sold-out event, attended by over 500 guests, featured a live art auction of works by artists in the museum's permanent collection, with Stan Douglas's 1974 piece 'Coat Check' achieving a $200,000 hammer price—the highest ever for the gala.

Mexico to Divert Train Route After Cave Art Discovery

Archaeologists in Mexico discovered 16 pre-Hispanic paintings and petroglyphs along the planned route of a high-speed passenger train connecting Mexico City to Querétaro. The discovery, made in the state of Hidalgo, includes rock art dating from 4,000 years ago to the Postclassic period (900-1521 CE), with imagery linked to Aztec deities and the Toltec city of Tula. In response, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the $8 billion train project will be rerouted to preserve the ancient site.

Was This Anne Boleyn’s Seat? Rare 500-Year-Old Chair Linked to Tudor Queen

A rare, intricately carved wooden chair, potentially used by Anne Boleyn during her time in the French courts between 1510 and 1520, has been acquired and is now on display at Hever Castle. The chair was purchased by antiques dealer Paul Fitzsimmons from an online American auction in 2022, and its carvings—featuring dolphins, a Tudor rose, and the initials "AB" intertwined with a cordelière emblem of Queen Claude—suggest a strong link to the Tudor queen's early life.

Fifteen Works Donated to the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans

Quinze œuvres offertes au Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans

The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Orléans has received a donation of fifteen artworks from art historian Françoise Heilbrun. The gift includes two drawings by Eugène Delacroix, which are immediate donations, and additional drawings, paintings, and a sculpture by artists like Louis Boulanger, which are given with a usufruct clause.

Investor Says Artnet Layoffs Were Necessary for ‘Financial Strength’

Investor and owner Andrew E. Wolff has publicly explained the recent layoffs at Artnet and Artsy as a necessary step for the companies' financial restructuring and future growth. He framed the cuts as part of a broader consolidation strategy, merging the US businesses and organizational structures of the two digital art platforms while keeping their brands separate.

Artists invited to shape Shellharbour’s next major works for popular art trail

Shellharbour City Council has launched an open call for artists to create two new permanent public artworks for the Waterfront Shell Cove art trail. The commission seeks large-scale, site-specific installations that reflect the local coastal environment and community identity, specifically targeting the areas near the marina and the foreshore.

Ruins of a ‘Unique‘ Temple Complex Discovered in Northern Sinai

An Egyptian archaeological mission has unearthed a unique temple complex at Tell el-Farama, the site of the ancient city of Pelusium in northern Sinai. The discovery features a massive circular water basin, approximately 100 feet in diameter, surrounded by drainage channels and a central plinth likely intended for a statue. Initially mistaken for a civic building when first excavated in 2019, further study has revealed the site to be a sacred water installation used for religious rituals between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD.