art max hollein met museum interview

Max Hollein, director and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses the institution's upcoming major projects in an interview with a chair of the Met's Vanguard Council. These include the groundbreaking of the new Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art, designed by Frida Escobedo, a major Raphael exhibition, and the Met Gala co-chaired by Beyoncé. Hollein reflects on the launch of the Vanguard Council, a next-generation patron group, and the museum's efforts to engage younger audiences.

art ali eyal young artist

Ali Eyal, a 31-year-old artist based in Los Angeles, was featured in CULTURED's 2025 Young Artists list. His multidisciplinary practice addresses the violence he and his family experienced from the U.S. military during his upbringing in Baghdad in the 1990s and 2000s, as well as what he calls 'the after war.' His work uses grotesque, cartoonish figures to depict state violence, and he cites pieces like his video installation *Tonight's Programme* and a planned reconstruction of his father's burned car as central to his practice. Eyal was a standout in the latest Istanbul Biennial and the Hammer Museum's 2025 'Made in L.A.' exhibition.

friedrich kunath pace aimless love art music

Friedrich Kunath, a contemporary artist known for blending German romanticism with pop culture, has a new solo exhibition titled "Aimless Love" at Pace Gallery in Chelsea, New York, on view through December 20. The show marks his first with the mega-gallery since Pace announced representation in May, and his first New York show since 2019. Kunath, who also co-wrote Liam Gallagher's song "Everything's Electric" in 2022, gave an interview from his Los Angeles studio, discussing his creative process, studio habits, and inspirations. The article includes a studio visit format with questions about his routines, influences, and the eclectic environment he works in, featuring vintage cars, a private bar, and multiple rooms each with its own music, film, and scent.

art heist genre film tv books guide

This article from Cultured explores the history and evolution of the art heist genre across film, television, and books. It traces the genre's origins from the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa by Vincenzo Peruggia to its appearance in 19th-century detective serials by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and later in French New Wave noirs and slick 1990s heist films. The piece highlights recent entries like Kelly Reichardt's film *The Mastermind* starring Josh O'Connor, and compiles a list of key works including *Animal Crackers* (1930), *How to Steal a Million* (1966), *The Thomas Crown Affair* (1968/1999), and *Hudson Hawk* (1991), noting how the genre reflects changing attitudes toward wealth, crime, and the sublime power of art.

art met roof garden jennie c jones

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has unveiled its 2025 Roof Garden Commission, titled *Ensemble*, by artist Jennie C. Jones. The installation features three upright sculptures made from concrete travertine and powder-coated steel, whose angular forms are inspired by musical instruments—a zither, an Aeolian harp, and a one-string instrument. A fourth red floor piece acts as a "conductor." The works are equipped with frets and strings that vibrate in the wind, inviting viewers to engage with them as both visual and sonic objects. The exhibition also includes collaborative programming, performances, and a publication with contributions from curator Lauren Rosati and artist Glenn Ligon.

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The J. Paul Getty Trust awarded its annual Getty Prize to Ann Philbin, who served as director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA for 25 years. A celebratory dinner was held at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, attended by artists, philanthropists, and museum directors. Philbin used the prize's $500,000 grant to support NPR, KCRW, and LAist, emphasizing the importance of free speech and public broadcasting.

art raul de nieves pioneer works

Raúl de Nieves, a queer Mexico-born artist based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is preparing for his latest institutional exhibition, “In Light of Innocence,” opening September 12 at Pioneer Works in Red Hook. The show features 40 new stained glass assemblages made from tape, acetate, and inexpensive materials, installed above a single floor-bound work—a departure from his typically maximalist style. De Nieves, who has exhibited at the ICA Boston, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art, and gained prominence after the 2017 Whitney Biennial, describes the exhibition as a valediction, stating it will be the last time he creates this kind of work.

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CULTURED magazine celebrated the release of its second Hamptons issue of the summer with a garden party at the Montauk home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, founders of architecture and design studio Roman & Williams, who served as guest editors for the July/August issue. The event drew a star-studded crowd of East End regulars including Julianne Moore, Martha Stewart, Cynthia Rowley, Jenna Lyons, photographer Cass Bird, David and Monica Zwirner, Sotheby's CEO Charles Stewart, and many others, with drinks by Casa Dragones and a potluck spread by chef Chris Kronner.

Marian Goodman’s personal collection of Gerhard Richters

Christie's will auction seven paintings by Gerhard Richter from the personal collection of legendary gallerist Marian Goodman in May 2026, headlining a series of sales titled "Breaking Ground: The Private Collection of Marian Goodman." The group includes the iconic 1982 work *Kerze (Candle)*, estimated at $35–50 million, and spans Richter's career from 1982 to 2009. Goodman, who died in 2024, began representing Richter in 1985 after writing him a letter, and her collection reflects their decades-long professional and personal relationship.

Emmanuel Perrotin, the Parisian gallery owner who conquered the world

Emmanuel Perrotin, the founder of the global Perrotin gallery network, reflects on a career defined by disruption and the democratization of contemporary art. From his early days as an outsider without industry connections to managing 160 employees across four continents, Perrotin has utilized high-profile stunts—such as Maurizio Cattelan’s $120,000 taped banana—and celebrity collaborations with figures like Pharrell Williams to build a powerhouse brand. His current focus involves institutionalizing his internal operations through digital tools and employee tutorials to maintain the gallery's momentum.

Robert Mnuchin, the blue-chip gallerist who loved the drama of the auction saleroom, has died aged 92

Robert Mnuchin, the prominent New York gallerist who transitioned from a 33-year career on Wall Street to become a major force in the art world, has died at age 92. After heading the trading desk at Goldman Sachs, he co-founded C&M Arts in 1992 with James Corcoran, later establishing L&M Arts with Dominique Lévy in 2005, which was renamed Mnuchin Gallery in 2013. Known for his aggressive bidding at auction, Mnuchin made headlines with high-profile purchases including Roy Lichtenstein's *Sinking Sun* (1964) for $15.6 million in 2006 and Jeff Koons's *Rabbit* (1986) for $91.1 million in 2019, the latter a record for a living artist at the time.

Embracing independence: meet the artists giving galleries a swerve

A growing number of artists are bypassing traditional galleries to sell their work directly to collectors, a trend that echoes pre-19th-century practices when artists like Michelangelo and Rembrandt dealt directly with patrons. High-profile examples include Damien Hirst's 2008 Sotheby's auction that raised £111.4m without dealer commissions, Banksy's Pest Control system, and Marina Abramović's independent collaborations during Frieze Week and at Glastonbury. Emerging and mid-tier artists, such as Bristol-based Matthew Callaby, are also selling via Instagram and organizing their own pop-up shows, often keeping more profit than the typical 50% gallery commission.

Chelsea Exhibition Reviews: Rosebud Contemporary, Paula Cooper, Fredericks & Freiser, Berry Campbell and more

This article reviews several Chelsea gallery exhibitions, focusing on Mary Ann Unger's monumental sculpture show 'Across the Bering Strait' at Berry Campbell, which features her hydrocal-over-steel works exploring themes of feminism, anthropology, and the natural world. It also covers 'En Route' at Rosebud Contemporary, a group exhibition of abstract painters Rifka Milder, Meg Hitchcock, and Ketta Ioannidou, each reflecting on artistic journeys through their work.

The Interview: Kei Ishikawa

Filmmaker Kei Ishikawa has adapted Kazuo Ishiguro's debut novel, 'A Pale View of Hills,' into a feature film, with Ishiguro serving as executive producer. The film expands the novel's dual-timeline narrative, set in post-war Nagasaki and 1980s England, and introduces a decisive narrative closure not found in the original text. It features performances from leading Japanese actors and meticulous period detail.

Parliamentary Report Outlines Major Issues In French Museums After The Louvre Heist

A French parliamentary commission released a report on May 13 detailing severe security deficiencies in French museums, following a December 2025 heist at the Louvre where French Crown Jewels worth $100 million were stolen. The report, overseen by MPs Alexis Corbière and Alexandre Portier, draws on over 20 hearings and highlights that only 25% of surveyed museums have a finalized security plan, with the Louvre itself criticized for dilapidated conditions and ignored audit warnings from 2017 and 2019 that predicted the thieves' modus operandi. Former Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who resigned in February, faced criticism for delays in implementing a security master plan.

Ittai Gradel, Whistleblower in British Museum Gem Theft, Dies at 61

Ittai Gradel, the Israel-born Danish gem expert who alerted the British Museum to the theft of thousands of antiquities from its collection after discovering them for sale on eBay, died on April 28 of renal cancer at age 61. Days before his death, British Museum officials visited him in hospice and presented him with a rarely awarded medal for his service. Gradel first warned deputy director Jonathan Williams in 2021 that artifacts were being sold online, identified veteran curator Peter Higgs as the culprit, and provided detailed evidence. After the museum failed to act, Gradel contacted then-director Hartwig Fischer; two years later, Higgs was fired, and Fischer and Williams left the institution amid the scandal.

Free Newmarket museum exhibition to celebrate equine art

The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket is set to host a new free exhibition titled "We Give You The Horse," running from April 29 to May 21. The showcase features paintings and sculptures by prominent members of the Society of Equestrian Artists, including a special loan of an original work by the renowned Sir Alfred Munnings from the Munnings Art Museum.

Former Korean Prosecutor Convicted in Alleged Lee Ufan Painting Bribery Scheme

A former senior South Korean prosecutor, Kim Sang-min, has been convicted on appeal for allegedly gifting a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in exchange for political support ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. The Seoul High Court overturned an earlier acquittal, sentencing Kim to two years in prison (suspended for three years) for bribery, plus a separate suspended sentence for illegal political donations. The case took a strange turn when Kim's defense argued the artwork, titled *From Dots (No. 800298)* and valued at 140 million won ($95,500), was a forgery worth less than $700—a claim the court rejected after physically examining the piece and consulting experts.

An Unprecedented 24-Hour Strike Could Upend the Venice Biennale

An unprecedented 24-hour strike is set to interrupt the Venice Biennale's opening week on Friday, May 8, in protest of Israel's participation in the global art event. The action, organized by the activist group Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), follows a letter signed by over 230 Biennale participants demanding Israel's exclusion. The strike has exposed divisions among participants, with some artists and pavilion teams weighing solidarity against the rare opportunity to platform their own political messages. The Slovenian pavilion, represented by Nika Grabar of the Nonument Group, has committed to the strike, while others like Ecuador's Tawna Collective remain undecided, balancing protest with their mission to highlight ecological crises in the Amazon.

Venice Diary Day 2: “In Minor Keys” Is a Major Statement on Perseverance and Play

The article is a diary entry from the 2026 Venice Biennale, focusing on the exhibition "In Minor Keys" curated by the late Koyo Kouoh. The author describes an emotional experience, beginning with a poem by Refaat Alareer on the Arsenale wall, and highlights works by Guadalupe Maravilla, Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, and others that address themes of perseverance, healing, and survival. Maravilla's sculptures reference a child kidnapped by ICE, while Hatanaka's linocuts explore bipolar disorder as an adaptive trait. The show also features artist-led collectives like Denniston Hill and fierce pussy, emphasizing institution-building and world-making.

In Protest of Israeli Pavilion, Activists and Unions Plan Strike on Venice Biennale’s Opening Day

The Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) has announced a 24-hour strike and rally on May 8, the day before the 2026 Venice Biennale opens to the public, in protest of the Israeli Pavilion. ANGA, formed in opposition to Israel's inclusion in the 2024 Biennale, refers to the current Israeli presentation—featuring Haifa-based artist Belu-Simion Fainaru—as the "Genocide Pavilion." Over 200 artists, curators, and culture workers have signed an open letter demanding Israel's exclusion, and a separate action called Solidarity Drone Chorus involved 60 artists. ANGA is collaborating with local labor and culture organizations including Biennalocene, Vogliamo Tutt'altro, S.a.L.E. Docks, and Mi Riconosci.

Final book in trilogy asks: What is the future of the art world?

Cultural strategist András Szántó has published the third and final volume of his trilogy on the future of museums, titled *What Is the Future of the Art World?*. The book features dialogues with a wide range of art-world figures—including gallerists José Kuri and Atsuko Ninagawa, collectors Alain Servais and Sylvain Levy, artists William Kentridge and Holly Herndon & Mathew Dryhurst, curator Fatoş Üstek, network scientist Albert-László Barabási, former Art Basel director Marc Spiegler, and Sheikha Al-Mayassa Al Thani—who discuss topics such as the definition of the art world, its rules, and its future trajectory. Szántó notes that there is no consensus on whether the art world is still expanding or entering a phase of slowdown, with different regions moving on divergent paths.

The Wonderful World that Almost Was by Andrew Durbin review – the queer artists who shaped New York cool

Andrew Durbin's new book, 'The Wonderful World that Almost Was,' is a double biography of painter and sculptor Paul Thek and photographer Peter Hujar. It chronicles their artistic maturation, their open and unapologetic gay relationship, and their central role in defining the 'cool' of the New York creative scene from the 1950s to the mid-1970s, before their deaths from AIDS.

Alma Allen’s US Pavilion Heads to Venice Amid Questions Over Selection Process

The selection of Alma Allen to represent the United States at the 2026 Venice Biennale has ignited controversy over the process. The U.S. State Department abandoned its traditional selection model, which involved a panel of experts convened by the National Endowment for the Arts, and instead handed control to a new nonprofit, the American Arts Conservancy, led by individuals with little museum experience. This shift has drawn criticism from prominent figures in the art world, with some artists declining to participate due to concerns over the political context and unfamiliar leadership.

Artists, clowns, runaways: a stay at the Chelsea Hotel – in pictures

Photographer Albert Scopin has released a new book through Kerber Verlag documenting his residency at New York’s iconic Chelsea Hotel between 1969 and 1971. The collection features rare, intimate portraits of the hotel's legendary inhabitants, including a young Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe before their rise to global fame, alongside long-time manager Stanley Bard and avant-garde figures like Vali Myers and Holly Woodlawn. Scopin’s lens captures the 'creative chaos' of the era, from the art-filled lobby to the eccentric private quarters of residents like composer George Kleinsinger.

The Art Consultancy Firm Saying No to the Attention Economy

Approximately Blue (AB), a contemporary art consultancy and brokerage, is deliberately operating without a public-facing brand, social media presence, or physical address. Founded by François-Luc Giraldeau and Emily Johnson, the firm focuses exclusively on primary market fine art prints and multiples, prioritizing deep research and direct, substantive relationships with collectors over visibility and hype.

Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems Among Latest Artists Commissioned for Obama Presidential Center

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The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago has announced its latest cohort of commissioned artists, featuring high-profile names such as Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems alongside local Chicago talents like Tyanna J. Buie and the duo Sam Kirk + Dorian Sylvain. These site-specific installations will be integrated across the center's 19-acre campus, including a three-story atrium collage by Bradford and a jazz-inflected photo mural by Weems. The project, which has already engaged over two dozen artists including Maya Lin and Julie Mehretu, is overseen by art program leaders Louise Bernard and Virginia Shore with direct input from the Obamas.

charles chemin artistic director watermill center

The Watermill Center has appointed Charles Chemin as its new artistic director, succeeding the organization's late founder, Robert Wilson. Chemin, a long-time collaborator who first worked with Wilson in 1992, was hand-selected for the role by Wilson prior to his death in August 2025. He will lead the interdisciplinary laboratory's artistic vision alongside managing director Elise Herget and curator Noah Khoshbin.

michaels lawsuit pose jordan nickel

Chicago street artist Jordan Nickel, known as Pose, is embroiled in a legal dispute with the arts and crafts retail giant Michaels. The artist, through his attorney Jeff Gluck, alleges that Michaels used his artwork in advertisements for Ironlak spray paint without his permission. Michaels has responded by filing a preemptive lawsuit in Texas, seeking a court declaration that it did not infringe on any rights and asking for attorneys' fees, while also arguing that it believed it had permission through its supplier, AVT Paints.

pope francis art artists

Artnet News has compiled a selection of artworks created in anticipation of Pope Francis's first visit to the United States. The works include Anthony VanArsdale's portrait for the North American College in Rome, a new addition to the 'Franks' mural at Philadelphia's Dirty Franks bar, a massive photo-realistic mural by Van Hecht-Nielsen overlooking Madison Square Garden in New York, a large-scale mural by Caesar Viveros for the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and a controversial, officially licensed portrait by Perry Milou. Other featured pieces include an illustration by Omkar Shivaprasad and a vandalized mural in Bolivia by William Luna and Guillermo Rodriguez.