Settlement allows Institute of Museum and Library Services to continue operations

The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have reached a settlement with the Trump administration to restore the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The agreement follows a year-long legal battle sparked by an executive order that placed the agency's entire staff on administrative leave and attempted to dismantle the federal body. The settlement ensures the IMLS can resume awarding grants, conducting research, and operating programs while reversing previous staff terminations and grant cancellations.

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Artist Briony Godivala is performing a year-long piece called *The Inked Link*, in which she has a QR code tattooed on her forearm that redirects to a new link each day based on public votes. Since January 2025, the voting site has been hacked to repeatedly play an anime episode, and participants have submitted links to pornographic, fascist, and racist content, as well as footage of death. Godivala, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, previously explored collective responsibility in physical performances where audience members carried her until they dropped her; she now uses social media to continue these experiments in a virtual space.

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A Leonardo da Vinci mural undergoing restoration at Sforza Castle in Milan will be temporarily opened to the public for five weeks starting February 7, coinciding with the Winter Olympics in Italy. Visitors can climb a 20-foot scaffold inside the Sala delle Asse to observe conservators at work on the delicate tempera painting, which was begun shortly before Milan fell to France in 1499 and was later covered by plaster and lost for centuries. The mural was rediscovered in the late 19th century, with further sections uncovered in the 20th century, and the current restoration uses Japanese rice paper and demineralized water to clean the surface.

kochi muziris biennale closure christian protests 1234768658

India's Kochi-Muziris Biennale was forced to close briefly in late December 2024, just weeks after its mid-December opening, following protests by Christian groups over a painting of the Last Supper by artist Tom Vattakuzhy. The work was displayed not in the main biennial exhibition, “For the Time Being,” but in a side exhibition called “EDAM” at the Garden Convention Centre in Kochi. Christian organizations, including the Kerala Latin Catholic Association and the Syro-Malabar Church, condemned the painting as offensive and called for its removal, questioning the use of public funds. Vattakuzhy, who is from a Christian family, said he did not intend to offend and that the work was inspired by a play based on a poem about Mata Hari. The biennial's curators and president defended the work, refusing to remove it on grounds of censorship, and organizers announced the exhibition would reopen on January 2.

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Chinese artist Gao Zhen, arrested in 2024 on charges of slandering China's heroes and martyrs, remains in detention with deteriorating health, according to Human Rights Watch. The nonprofit reports that Gao, known for politically charged works challenging Communist orthodoxies, has fainted, may have arteriosclerosis, and has been denied medical bail. His 118 artworks, created between 2005 and 2009, were seized from his studio. Gao, a US permanent resident, has written to dissident artist Ai Weiwei comparing his situation to Ai's 2011 detention, lamenting the lack of international outcry.

chinese artist gao zhen detainment poor health 1234758085

Chinese artist Gao Zhen, arrested in 2024 on charges of slandering China's heroes and martyrs, remains in detention with deteriorating health, according to Human Rights Watch. The nonprofit reports that Gao, known for politically charged works challenging Communist orthodoxies, has fainted and may have arteriosclerosis, a stroke precursor. He is held in a crowded cell, denied medical bail, and awaits a trial date. Gao, a US permanent resident, has written to dissident artist Ai Weiwei, drawing parallels to Ai's 2011 detention and lamenting the lack of international outcry.

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"Fata Morgana," an exhibition organized by the Fondazione Nicola Trussardi at Palazzo Morando in Milan, presents works by 78 artists past and present who embody Marcel Duchamp's idea of the artist as a "mediumistic being." The show includes nuns, mediums, psychiatric patients, and contemporary stars like Marianna Simnett and Rosemarie Trockel, alongside avant-garde icons such as Man Ray and Duchamp himself. Curated by Massimiliano Gioni, Daniel Birnbaum, and Martha Papini, the exhibition explores creativity as compulsion, featuring drawings by James Tilly Matthews, séance photographs by Stanisława Popielska, and works by Madge Gill and Emma Jung, among others.

fata morgana nicola trussardi massimiliano gioni hilma af klint 1234756897

The Fondazione Nicola Trussardi has organized an exhibition titled "Fata Morgana" at Milan's Palazzo Morando, featuring 78 artists past and present who channel spiritual, occult, or mediumistic forces. Curated by Massimiliano Gioni, Daniel Birnbaum, and Martha Papini, the show includes works by historical figures such as Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, and James Tilly Matthews, alongside contemporary artists like Marianna Simnett, Diego Marcon, Rosemarie Trockel, and Kerstin Brätsch. It also incorporates pieces by nuns, mediums, and psychiatric patients, drawing from collections like the Elmar R. Gruber Collection of Mediumistic Art.

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The Kochi-Muziris Biennial, South Asia's largest contemporary art biennial, has announced the 66 artists from over 20 countries participating in its 2025 edition, titled “For The Time Being.” Running from December 12 to March 31 across venues including Aspinwall House and Pepper House in Kochi, India, the event features around 50 new commissions and a theme centered on the body, memory, and temporality. The announcement comes after the 2023 edition was marred by controversy, with more than half of its 90 artists signing a public letter alleging communication breakdowns, unpaid fees, and production issues, as well as the Kerala government reportedly pulling out of a deal to acquire the main venue.

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The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has booked American singer and rapper Doja Cat as the musical guest for its annual Art+Film Gala on November 1. The event will also honor visual artist Mary Corse, a key figure in the Light and Space movement, and filmmaker Ryan Coogler, known for 'Black Panther' and 'Sinner'. The gala is co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

doja cat lacma art film gala performance 1234755015

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has booked American singer and rapper Doja Cat as the musical guest for its annual Art+Film Gala on November 1. The event will honor visual artist Mary Corse, a key figure in the Light and Space movement, and filmmaker Ryan Coogler, known for 'Black Panther' and 'Sinner'. Doja Cat, who recently released her album 'Vie' and will begin an international tour shortly after the gala, joins a lineup of past performers including Charli xcx and Lenny Kravitz.

US-Israel Strikes Damage 17th-Century Chehel Sotoun Palace In Isfahan, Iran

Airstrikes conducted by the United States and Israel on Isfahan, Iran, have caused significant damage to the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun Palace and several other nearby cultural landmarks. The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffered shattered windows, damaged vaulted ceilings, and cracked historic murals, likely due to shock waves from strikes on a nearby government building.

Vera Molnár: Venice Biennale 2022

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Vera Molnár, a 98-year-old pioneer of computer art, is receiving renewed international attention as her work is featured in a dedicated gallery at the Venice Biennale's main exhibition, "The Milk of Dreams." The article profiles Molnár at her Paris home, tracing her journey from childhood experiments with systematic pastel drawings in Hungary to her 1947 move to Paris, where she transitioned from classical training to geometric abstraction and co-founded the influential GRAV collective.

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British artist Lincoln Townley has launched a new series titled "Success," which explores the psychology of ambition and achievement through gestural, abstract portraits. The collection, available through his partnership with the Prague-based Eclipse Art Group, expands his market into Eastern Europe, following successful sell-out exhibitions at the London Art Fair 2025 and a planned presentation at the Palazzo Bembo during the 2026 Venice Biennale.

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The United Kingdom has imposed a temporary export bar on Claude Lorrain's masterpiece "Landscape with Rural Dance" (c. 1640), valued at £9 million ($12 million), to prevent it from leaving the country. The painting, which has hung at Woburn Abbey for over 250 years, is being sold by the Duke of Bedford to fund a major renovation project. The export bar, recommended by a reviewing committee that deemed the work of "outstanding aesthetic importance," gives UK institutions until April 15 to express intent to acquire the painting for the nation.

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Juergen Teller has photographed Bottega Veneta's Summer 2026 campaign, set against the iconic landmarks of Venice, including the Palazzo Contarini Polignac and the Venice Giardini. The campaign features models Liya Kebede and Anine Van Velzen, and arrives ahead of the 2026 Venice Biennale. It also marks the debut collection of Louise Trotter, who joined Bottega Veneta as creative director last year, drawing on the house's 50-year archives and reimagining signature items like the Lauren and Knot bags.

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A new study published in *Frontiers of Physics* analyzed paintings created during a 2003 'Dripfest' experiment, where children aged 4–6 and adults aged 18–25 were asked to splatter paint like Jackson Pollock. Using fractal and lacunarity analysis, researchers found that adults produced denser, more intricate patterns, while children's paintings were more clustered and smaller in scale, likely due to differences in biomechanical balance and coordination. Notably, Pollock's own fractal values fell near the children's range, suggesting his physical limitations influenced his technique.

Segregation stories: Gordon Parks in the US south – in pictures

Jackson Fine Art in Atlanta is hosting "Gordon Parks: The South in Colour," a major exhibition curated by photographer Dawoud Bey. The show features over 30 works from Parks’ seminal 1956 "Segregation Story" series, including several previously unshown images of the Thornton, Causey, and Tanner families in Alabama. The exhibition coincides with the 70th anniversary of the series' original publication in Life magazine and the 20th anniversary of The Gordon Parks Foundation.

Segregation stories: Gordon Parks in the US south – in pictures

Jackson Fine Art in Atlanta is hosting a significant exhibition of Gordon Parks’ color photography, titled "The South in Colour." Curated by photographer Dawoud Bey, the show features over 30 works from Parks’ 1956 "Segregation Story" series, including previously unshown images and a new portfolio from The Gordon Parks Foundation. The collection documents the daily lives of the Thornton, Causey, and Tanner families in Alabama, capturing the quiet dignity of Black Americans living under the oppressive Jim Crow laws of the postwar era.

A Sculptor’s Life, in Constant Motion

A major retrospective of Alexander Calder’s work has opened in Paris, offering a comprehensive look at the sculptor’s career-long obsession with movement and balance. The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with his iconic mobiles and wire sculptures, emphasizing the physical and temporal experience of art that shifts with the surrounding air and light.

New exhibition ‘Personal Structures – Confluences’ to open in Venice in May 2026

The European Cultural Centre Italy has announced the eighth edition of its biennial contemporary art exhibition, 'Personal Structures – Confluences,' set to run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, in Venice. Spanning Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, and the Marinaressa Gardens, the massive showcase will feature 175 artists from over 40 countries, including high-profile figures like ORLAN, Rashid Al Khalifa, and Hirohiko Araki. This edition introduces 'PS Design,' a new section dedicated to the intersection of art and architecture, and will host the national pavilions of El Salvador and Seychelles alongside a significant collaboration with the Palestine Museum US.

Artist list for Counterpublic 2026 announced

The St. Louis-based triennial Counterpublic has unveiled its full artist list for the 2026 edition, titled 'Coyote Time.' Running from September 12 to December 12, the exhibition features 47 artists, duos, and collectives, including prominent names like Glenn Ligon, Nicholas Galanin, and Rirkrit Tirivanija. Curated by a diverse team including Stefanie Hessler and Wanda Nanibush, the triennial will utilize site-responsive practices and emergent technologies to explore themes of climate, immigration, and education.

Yang Fudong’s Memory Palace

Yang Fudong has opened his largest solo exhibition to date, 'Fragrant River,' at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. The show features over 30 works and eight hours of video, including major new installations like the five-channel 'Young Man, Young Man' and the furniture-and-video piece 'Breastfeeding,' which immerse viewers in scenes from the artist's hometown of Xianghe.

Fake Warhol, Haring and Banksy works seized in Italy

Des faux Warhol, Haring et Banksy saisis en Italie

Italian authorities have seized 143 counterfeit artworks attributed to Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Banksy. The works were on display in the exhibition "Pop to Street Art: Influences" in Reggio Calabria, Italy, and were provided on loan by a Belgian company. The carabinieri, in a transnational investigation extending to Liège, Belgium, identified the operation as part of a larger forgery network known as "Operation Cariatide." Eleven works remain under expert examination.

In Naples, an International Exhibition to Map Instability and Deactivate Borders

A Napoli una mostra internazionale per mappare l’instabilità e disattivare i confini

The exhibition "Atlante" at Thomas Dane Gallery in Naples, curated by James Lingwood, brings together works by eight international artists—Igshaan Adams, Teju Cole, Luigi Ghirri, Emma McNally, Claudio Parmiggiani, Anri Sala, Tatiana Trouvé, and Akram Zaatari—to challenge traditional cartographic representations. Through maps, drawings, textiles, and photographs, the show interrogates the ideological and political assumptions embedded in mapping, reframing the Mediterranean not as a border but as a connective space, and exposing the instability and power asymmetries underlying historical worldviews.

Milano Art Week 2026 Tops and Flops: The Best and Worst of the Art Week

Milano Art Week 2026 top e flop: il meglio e il peggio della settimana dell’arte

The 2026 edition of Milano Art Week, anchored by the 30th anniversary of the miart fair, presented a mixed bag of organizational shifts and high-quality artistic programming. Key highlights included the successful Milanese debut of Paris Internationale at Palazzo Galbani and the emergence of new cultural hubs like Mulino Factory, which continue Milan's trend of repurposing industrial heritage. However, the primary fair's relocation to the Allianz MiCo South Wing drew criticism for its labyrinthine layout and logistical hurdles despite the scenic park setting.

The first edition of the Paris Internationale fair in Milan is a success: The report

La prima edizione della fiera Paris Internationale a Milano convince. Il report

The Parisian satellite fair Paris Internationale successfully launched its first international edition in Milan during the city's 2026 Art Week. Hosted in the modernist Palazzo Galbani, the fair distinguished itself from traditional models like miart through a non-hierarchical layout designed by Christ & Gantenbein and NM3. The event featured 34 carefully selected galleries, emphasizing solo and duo presentations from artists such as Leonora Carrington, Benni Bosetto, and Ibuki Inoue.

In a month of war, Iran’s cultural heritage has suffered huge damage

Iran's cultural heritage sites, including several historic palaces, have sustained severe damage during the recent conflict. The Golestan Palace in Tehran, specifically the Hall of the Marble Throne, and the Chehel Sotoun and Ali Qapu Palaces in Isfahan have suffered extensive destruction to their intricate mirror-mosaic decorations, painted ceilings, and structural elements.

In Surprising Twist, ADAA Art Fair Will Now Benefit the Whitney Museum

The Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) has named the Whitney Museum of American Art as the new philanthropic beneficiary of its annual fair at the Park Avenue Armory. This decision follows the ADAA's abrupt termination of a 30-year partnership with the Henry Street Settlement, a social services nonprofit that relied on the fair's preview gala for approximately $1 million in annual unrestricted funding. The new event, rebranded simply as the ADAA Fair, will direct its gala proceeds toward the Whitney’s educational and artistic programming.

7 Shows to See in Milan Right Now

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Milan's art scene is currently anchored by several high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair. Highlights include Cao Fei’s exploration of global farming and technology at Pirelli HangarBicocca, alongside Anselm Kiefer’s monumental portraits of female alchemists. Other notable shows feature diverse practices ranging from historical rediscoveries to contemporary installations across the city's major institutions and galleries.