Artist and curator Jean-Marc Bustamante to launch foundation in Arles culture hub

French artist and curator Jean-Marc Bustamante will open the Fondation Bustamante in Arles, France, in summer 2026. Housed in a 12th-century church, the foundation will display his works and archive while hosting contemporary exhibitions, masterclasses, and supporting young curators, critics, and historians. The architect Charles Zana will design the three-floor space. Bustamante, who previously directed the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris, aims to position the foundation among Arles's existing cultural institutions such as LUMA Arles and the Fondation Van Gogh.

Failed auction of $70M bronze bust stuns Sotheby’s bidders into silence

Sotheby's high-stakes Modern evening sale on Tuesday night ended in shock when Alberto Giacometti's bronze bust "Grand tête mince (Grand tête de Diego)," estimated at $70 million, failed to sell. Bidding stalled at $64.25 million, well below the reserve, and auctioneer Oliver Barker withdrew the lot. The consignment came from the Soloviev Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the late real estate mogul Sheldon Solow, who had declined an auction guarantee. The sale ultimately brought in only $152 million, far short of the $240 million low estimate, with the Giacometti representing nearly 30% of that target.

À Florence, une touriste poursuivie pour avoir endommagé la fontaine de Neptune

In Florence, Italy, a 28-year-old tourist is being prosecuted for damaging the historic Neptune Fountain during a bachelorette party on the night of April 18-19. She allegedly climbed the monument on Piazza della Signoria after a dare from friends to touch the statue's intimate parts, causing an estimated €5,000 in damages to the horses' legs and a decorative frieze. This follows a similar incident in September 2023, when a 22-year-old German tourist caused €5,000 in damage to the same fountain while posing for photos.

Israeli Pavilion Artist Made Legal Threats Before Venice Biennale Jury Resigned

New reports reveal that Israeli Pavilion artist Belu-Simion Fainaru issued legal threats against the Venice Biennale, alleging antisemitism and discrimination after the awards jury decided to exclude Israel and Russia from consideration due to human rights charges. The jury, which included Elvira Dyangani Ose, Zoe Butt, Marta Kuzma, Giovanna Zapperi, and Solange Farkas, initially stated on April 22 it would not consider nations whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. Fainaru filed legal warnings with the Biennale, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and the Prime Minister's office. The jury abruptly resigned eight days later, leading the Biennale to scrap the Golden Lion awards and institute "Visitor Lions" decided by public vote. Reports indicate the Biennale's legal department warned jurors could be personally liable for damages, and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli promised to promote Fainaru's work.

The project that brings Michelangelo's David to the Swiss Alps: a full-scale copy will be installed among the mountains

Il progetto che porta il David di Michelangelo sulle Alpi della Svizzera: verrà installata tra le montagne una copia a grandezza naturale

A full-scale marble replica of Michelangelo's David will be installed in the Swiss Alpine village of Klosters (Canton of Grisons) starting July 2, 2026. The copy, carved in 2017 from Michelangelo's preferred Polvaccio marble in Carrara, weighs over nine tons and was produced by Studi d’Arte Cave Michelangelo under Franco Barattini. The project is organized by Scultura Viva, a cultural initiative based in Klosters that focuses on reactivating sculptural heritage through public installations and educational programs.

There are 21 artists supporting the new voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail from Sicily with painted sails

Ci sono 21 artisti a sostegno del nuovo viaggio della Global Sumud Flotilla salpata dalla Sicilia con vele dipinte

A new humanitarian mission by the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail on April 26 from Augusta, Sicily, with 59 Italian and Spanish boats heading toward Gaza. The flotilla, which follows a first attempt in September 2025 that ended with activists arrested by the Israeli military, aims to deliver humanitarian aid by early May. Twenty-one artists have joined the initiative, called Vele d'Arte, painting the sails of the boats with symbolic artworks. Among the participating artists are Gio Pistone, Antonio Curcio, Escif, Lydia Giordano, Glenda Costa, Millo, Elia Novecento, MP5, Matteo Todeschini, Alleg, Sam3, Okuda, Antonella Santonocito, Fabrizio Foti, Igor Scalisi Palmiteri, Andrea Sposari, and Salvo Ligama. The project was conceived by Carlo Alberto Giardina, who hopes the energy painted on the sails will transform into positive forces.

Mexican Artist Alleges Plagiarism of Femicide Project

Mexican artist Elina Chauvet has accused Romanian news anchor Alessandra Stoicescu of plagiarizing her famous installation, "Zapatos Rojos" (Red Shoes). The dispute arose after Stoicescu organized a public intervention titled "Dragostea poartă pantofii roșii" outside the Romanian Athenaeum to mark new femicide legislation, featuring hundreds of red shoes in a manner nearly identical to Chauvet’s long-running global project. Chauvet claims this is the second time Stoicescu has co-opted her work without authorization or credit, following a similar incident in 2018.

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A legal dispute between brothers Prajit and Projjal Dutta over the branding of their respective New York galleries has escalated into allegations of physical violence. Harry Hutchison, a director at Aicon Art, filed a complaint alleging he was severely injured after being assaulted by Projjal Dutta at their shared Great Jones Street business premises in April 2024. Projjal Dutta has countered these claims, asserting he acted in self-defense after being shoved by Hutchison and accusing Hutchison of filing false police reports.

Pavilions of the Venice Biennale go on strike

Pavillons der Venedig-Biennale werden bestreikt

Cultural workers and participants of the Venice Biennale went on strike on Friday, protesting Israel's participation in the art exhibition. Organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) alongside several cultural groups and Italian grassroots unions, the 24-hour walkout led to the closure of several national pavilions on the final preview day. A rally was planned near the Arsenale grounds. The strike aims to oppose the "normalization of genocide in culture" and poor working conditions at the Biennale, following an earlier open letter signed by over 230 artists and curators demanding the exclusion of the Israeli pavilion. Israel is represented by sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru, who opposes cultural boycotts and advocates for dialogue. The Biennale's leadership has distanced itself from the strike, emphasizing adherence to regulations and support for freedom of speech and pluralism.

State Secretary Dismissed in Dispute Over Funding

Staatssekretär im Streit um Fördermittel entlassen

Berlin's culture administration has dismissed State Secretary Oliver Friederici, who was responsible for distributing funds for projects combating antisemitism. The move follows a prolonged controversy over the allocation of millions of euros in grants, with allegations of unclear criteria and potential political influence from the CDU party.

Diane Victor at Académie des Beaux-Arts.

South African artist Diane Victor has been awarded the 10th Mario Avati Engraving Prize 2025 by the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. Her work is currently the subject of an exhibition at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which runs until May 31, 2026.

Will Higgins uncovers the Indy 500's wacky history in new exhibit

Former IndyStar reporter Will Higgins has opened a new exhibition titled "The Speedway's Attic" at the Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), running until August 16. The show presents nine quirky, true stories from the margins of the Indianapolis 500, featuring artifacts recreated by Higgins based on his own research. One highlighted tale involves a fake 1938 Mercedes Benz convertible linked to Adolf Hitler, which appeared at the 1949 Indy 500 with mannequins and alleged "Hitler's wife's underwear." Higgins, known for his gonzo journalism style, previously created exhibits like "The American Society of Presidential Urine Collectors" and "The Museum of Fabulosity."

"JAWS" & GARDEN OF EDEN ART SHOWS TOP WEEKEND PICKS

Two art openings are taking place this weekend in Red Bank, New Jersey, within walking distance of each other. On Saturday from 5-8pm, the Art Alliance Studio and Gallery hosts an officially licensed exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's film "Jaws," featuring works by artists including Chris Austin and DULK, presented in conjunction with CODA, Popcore, Universal Studios, and Amblin Entertainment. Simultaneously, from 6-8pm, Galerie Lucida opens its summer group exhibition "Echoes of Eden," which focuses on environmental themes and features over twenty artists including Lisa Bagwell, Kristian Battell, and Michael Flomen. A preview of the summer Street Life Music Series will provide live music between the two venues.

California Museum to Remove Cesar Chavez From Hall of Fame Following Abuse Allegations

The California Museum in Sacramento plans to remove labor leader Cesar Chavez from its California Hall of Fame. This unprecedented action follows a New York Times investigation detailing allegations that Chavez sexually abused multiple girls and engaged in misconduct with women in the United Farm Workers movement during the 1970s.

us holocaust museum canceled programming angering trump 1234780080

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) has reportedly removed educational content and canceled programming to avoid potential conflict with the Trump administration. Former employees allege that the museum preemptively scrubbed web pages linking Jim Crow laws to Nazi-era policies and rebranded or canceled workshops on the "fragility of democracy" to avoid being labeled as "woke." While the museum claims these decisions were based on funding challenges, internal records show a significant increase in net assets during the same period.

Canadian foundation with ties to Israel’s biggest real-estate company ceases funding for Toronto Arts Foundation following protests

The Azrieli Foundation, a major Canadian philanthropic organization with ties to Israel's largest real-estate company, has ended its funding agreement with the Toronto Arts Foundation. The decision follows a sustained two-year protest campaign by the group Artists Against Artwashing, which included disruptions at a major Toronto arts event and an open letter signed by over 450 artists and cultural workers.

Auctioneer Surprisingly Released from Jail

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Herbert Schauer, the director of the Munich-based auction house Zisska & Schauer, has been released from custody in Naples following a judicial review. Schauer had recently been sentenced to five years in prison for his alleged role in a conspiracy to sell stolen antique books, including a rare first edition by Galileo Galilei, which were embezzled from the Biblioteca dei Girolamini in Italy.

in leaked transcript unt dean cites politics as the reason behind cancelation of show with anti ice art show 1234774374

University of North Texas (UNT) Dean Karen Hutzel revealed in leaked transcripts that the cancellation of artist Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez’s exhibition was an "institutional directive" driven by political pressure. The show, titled “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá,” featured art critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and was abruptly shut down shortly after opening. Hutzel warned faculty that the university is "vulnerable" to retaliation from Texas state officials who have previously targeted academic programs and funding at other state institutions over ideological disagreements.

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Masterworks, an art investment platform, has filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court against its former chief product officer, Hai Min Tran. The company alleges Tran threatened to sue for wrongful termination after his paternity leave, while Masterworks contends he voluntarily resigned before taking leave and that no part-time contract work was available for him upon his return.

police recover james bond diamond encrusted faberge egg swallowed by thief 1234765508

New Zealand police recovered a diamond-encrusted Fabergé egg pendant from a 32-year-old thief who allegedly swallowed it after stealing it from Partridge Jewellers in Auckland. The suspect was detained within minutes of the theft, and officers monitored him for six days until the pendant was naturally passed. The special-edition locket, valued at $33,585, is a tribute to the Fabergé egg featured in the James Bond film Octopussy, featuring a green guilloché enamel shell and an 18-karat yellow gold octopus set with diamonds and sapphires.

ousted dusable museum vp lawsuit 1234765132

Kim Dulaney, former vice president of education and programs at Chicago's DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, has filed a whistleblower and retaliatory discharge lawsuit against the museum and its CEO, Perri Irmer. Dulaney alleges she was wrongfully terminated in October after repeatedly raising concerns about misuse of restricted funds, improper financial practices, and workplace misconduct to museum leadership, the board, and government agencies. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court on December 1, seeks reinstatement, damages, and injunctive relief. The museum has denied the allegations, stating that Dulaney's termination followed a thorough review process and that it maintains strict financial controls.

dusable black history museum responds to accusations of retaliatory firing 1234756980

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago has responded to allegations of a retaliatory firing. Former vice president of education and programs Kim Dulaney was terminated on October 3 by museum president Perri Irmer, who cited institutional restructuring. Dulaney had previously filed complaints with HR alleging retaliation after she criticized museum operations. The museum denies the allegations, calling them "outrageous and categorically false," and states the termination followed a fair review process.

donald trump jeffrey epstein statue returns email release 1234761586

A controversial statue of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, originally titled *The Secret Handshake* and later renamed *Why Can't We Be Friends?*, has reappeared in Washington, D.C., outside the Busboys and Poets Art Cafe. The anonymous artists behind the work, which depicts the two men holding hands, timed its return to coincide with the release of a new tranche of Epstein-related emails by the House Oversight Committee. The statue first debuted on the National Mall in September but was removed by the National Parks Service for exceeding size regulations, before briefly returning. The artists have now renamed it *Best Friends Forever* and included plaques alluding to a birthday message allegedly written by Trump to Epstein.

frances culture minister to stand trial for accused abuse of power and corruption 1234748129

France's culture minister, Rachida Dati, will stand trial on charges of abuse of power and corruption stemming from her time as a Member of the European Parliament. She is accused of receiving €900,000 in lawyer's fees from a Renault-Nissan subsidiary between 2010 and 2012 while allegedly lobbying for the carmaker in the European Parliament, a prohibited activity. Dati, who has denied the allegations, was charged in 2019. The trial date is expected to be set at a hearing on September 29, and could occur after the Paris municipal elections in March 2026, for which Dati has expressed her candidacy.

nonprofit russia ukraine icc systematic and organized plunder 1234747902

A French nonprofit, For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours!, has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing Russia of the systematic and organized looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage since the 2022 invasion. The complaint, submitted on July 11, calls for arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and eight senior Russian officials, alleging that the plunder was planned at the highest state level and constitutes war crimes under international law. The group identified a modus operandi involving Russia's Ministry of Culture, museum directors, and intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin.

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Silke Thomas, co-manager of Munich-based Galerie Thomas, has been in custody since mid-December as part of a criminal investigation into the gallery's bankruptcy filing last summer. Munich prosecutors are investigating her and her father, founder Raimund Thomas, on suspicion of delaying insolvency, fraud, and breach of trust, with outstanding debts estimated at over $10 million. Raimund Thomas's whereabouts are unknown, and the gallery's absence from Art Basel in June 2024 hinted at financial trouble before the bankruptcy filing.

icom russia president slams calls to eject russia from icom for violating code of ethics as political libel 1234742570

ICOM Russia president Vasilij Pankratov has denounced calls for Russia's expulsion from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) as "political libel." The controversy follows an open letter published in Le Monde on May 5, in which a group of art experts—including art historian Konstantin Akinsha, Francesca Thyssen Bornemisza, and Vitalit Tytych—accused Russia of systematically erasing Ukraine's cultural identity since the 2022 invasion. The signatories threatened to take ICOM to court in France if it failed to oust Russia for violating the organization's code of ethics. Pankratov dismissed the accusations as unfounded, arguing that Russian museum workers operate within the country's constitution and local ethical criteria, and denied claims that Ukrainian cultural property has been appropriated by Russian museums.

Soft Power: When Textiles Become Compelling Storytellers

The article reviews 'Threading Inwards,' an exhibition at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) in Hong Kong, curated by Wang Weiwei, Eugene Hannah Park, Kurosawa Seiha, and Wang Huan. It features 14 artists from across Asia who use textile as a medium to explore themes of spirituality, memory, and cultural heritage. Works include Han Sang A's 'Threshold' series, Hu Yinping's 'Soul Bottle' series, and pieces by Aziza Kadyri, Mooni Perry, Citra Sasmita, IV Chan, and Chen Zhe, among others.

USC Fisher Museum welcomes the National Archives’ Freedom Plane National Tour

The USC Fisher Museum of Art has welcomed the "National Archives’ Freedom Plane National Tour," a traveling exhibition featuring foundational American documents. Arriving via a specially branded Boeing 737 at Van Nuys Airport, the collection includes rare items such as a 1823 Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, and a secret printing of the Constitution. USC is the only university selected as a stop on this eight-city tour, which commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

Antisemitic art may upset British Jews, but is it illegal? - analysis

British artist and art critic Matthew Collings has sparked significant legal and ethical debate with his exhibition 'Drawings Against Genocide.' The collection, which features imagery and text critical of Israel, has been labeled as antisemitic by various community groups and observers, leading to questions about where the line is drawn between political artistic expression and illegal hate speech under UK law.