A rebuke to Modernism: the Venice Architecture Biennale imagines new ways of building to cope with climate change

The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, curated by Carlo Ratti, opens with immersive installations that confront climate change, including a film on civilizations rising and collapsing, a reflective pool installation by Michelangelo Pistoletto symbolizing humanity-nature reconciliation, and a non-functional air conditioner display by Transsolar Klima Engineering. Ratti issued the Biennale's first open call, selecting over 300 multidisciplinary teams—engineers, scientists, artists, and architects—to explore new building methods that reject Modernist materials like steel and concrete in favor of natural and Indigenous approaches.

Artist couple open north London not-for-profit in former Zabludowicz gallery

Artist couple Philip and Charlotte Colbert have opened a new not-for-profit art space called Camden Arts Projects (CAP) in north London, taking over the former Zabludowicz Collection gallery at 176 Prince of Wales Road. The venue, a former Methodist church, was bought by the Colberts last year and now operates under an umbrella company called Contemporary Culture Collective. The opening exhibition features works by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed, including an immersive balloon installation and a neon piece, and is free to the public. Curator Hala Matar, formerly of The Little House in Los Angeles, is running the exhibition programme.

Veronica Ryan: Unruly Objects

The Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Wexner Center for the Arts have co-organized an exhibition titled "Veronica Ryan: Unruly Objects," curated by Tamara H. Schenkenberg with curatorial assistant Molly Moog. At the Wexner Center, the presentation is further organized by Schenkenberg and Julieta González, head of Visual Arts. The exhibition is supported by a range of funders including ENGIE, the American Electric Power Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation, among others.

S’pore artist Ho Tzu Nyen among medallists for inaugural Art Basel Awards, could get major commission

Singapore artist Ho Tzu Nyen has been named one of six medallists in the established artist category at the inaugural Art Basel Awards, announced on May 16. The 49-year-old shares the honor with artists including Cao Fei and Ibrahim Mahama. The two-round awards process will culminate in December with a shortlist of Gold medallists announced in Miami, and Ho is in line for a potential major commission from Art Basel. He was also recently appointed artistic director of the 16th Gwangju Biennale.

Metropolitan Museum receives 6,500 works from photography collector Artur Walther

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has received a promised gift of more than 6,500 works from German American photography collector Artur Walther and his Walther Family Foundation. The trove spans post-war and contemporary photography from Africa, Japan, Germany, and China, alongside vernacular photos from Europe and the Americas. A special showcase of African photographers' works will debut in the Met's Michael C. Rockefeller Wing when it reopens after renovation later this month. The collection, which has operated exhibition spaces in Neu-Ulm, Germany, and New York's Chelsea district since 2010, includes major names such as Malick Sibidé, Zanele Muholi, Ai Weiwei, Bernd and Hilla Becher, and Thomas Struth.

Denver Art Museum Announces Mexican Modernism Exhibition with Artworks by Celebrated Artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

The Denver Art Museum announced an upcoming exhibition titled "Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection," featuring over 150 artworks by Kahlo, Rivera, and their contemporaries including Lola Alvarez Bravo, Gunther Gerzso, María Izquierdo, and Carlos Mérida. Organized by MondoMostre and curated locally by Rebecca Hart, the show will run from October 25, 2020, to January 17, 2021, in the museum's Anschutz and Martin & McCormick Galleries, highlighting the role of art and indigenous culture in forging national identity after the Mexican Revolution.

Man Ray: When Objects Dream

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will present "Man Ray: When Objects Dream," an exhibition exploring the artist's pioneering rayographs—camera-less photographs created by placing objects on light-sensitive paper. Featuring approximately 60 rayographs and 100 additional works from the Met's collection and over 50 international lenders, the show is the first to situate this technique within Man Ray's broader practice of the 1910s and 1920s, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, films, and photographs.

The best museum shows to see during Tefaf New York 2025

The article highlights several major museum exhibitions opening during Tefaf New York 2025. At the Brooklyn Museum, "Solid Gold" (through July 6) traces the material's historical and cultural significance across fine art, fashion, jewelry, and design, featuring works from ancient Coclé gold plaques to pieces by Agnes Martin, Louise Nevelson, and Alexander Calder. The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents "Sargent and Paris" (through August 3) for the centenary of John Singer Sargent's death, reuniting his scandalous "Portrait of Madame X" with preparatory sketches and exploring his formative decade in Paris. The Jewish Museum offers "The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt" (through August 10), examining the biblical story's influence on 17th-century Dutch art through works by Rembrandt and his contemporaries.

Mind-bending work of M.C. Escher alters reality, space at new Arlington exhibition

The Arlington Museum of Art has opened "M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations," an exhibition featuring nearly 150 of the Dutch artist's prints, including his famous lithograph "Relativity" (1953). The show spans Escher's career from the early 1930s to the late 1960s, with themed galleries covering his early works, book illustrations, tessellations, and impossible worlds. The exhibition runs through August 3 and includes an Infinity Mirrored Room as an immersive finale.

The New Yorker and Goldman Sachs Fete Artist Barkley L. Hendricks at The Frick Madison

The New Yorker and Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management co-hosted an intimate evening at the Frick Madison to celebrate the historic exhibition "Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick," the museum's first solo show by an artist of color. The event featured a conversation about Hendricks's legacy between Thelma Golden, director of The Studio Museum in Harlem; Aimee Ng, curator at The Frick Collection; and Antwaun Sargent, consulting curator at the Frick. Guests viewed fourteen of Hendricks's early portraits, which combine a bold realism with Old Master influences to center Black representation.

Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló is reaping the rewards from its continual reinvention

Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló in Barcelona, completed in 1906 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, has undergone a series of ambitious multi-million-euro restorations and a hi-tech revamp over the past decade. Acquired by the Bernat family in 1993 and opened to the public in 2002, the monument now draws over 1.5 million visitors annually, generating a record €56 million in income in 2023—a 54% increase from the previous year. Recent projects include a €30 million investment (2018-2024) that uncovered original gold-leaf patterns and expanded immersive exhibitions such as Refik Anadol’s "Gaudí Dreams." The family plans to open the third floor for private events by late 2025.

60% of Sudan’s National Museum Looted, Report Says

60% of Sudan’s National Museum Looted, Report Says

Over 60% of the holdings of the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum have been looted during the country's ongoing civil war. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which controlled the capital for two years, deliberately targeted high-value portable objects like gold and jewelry, stripping storage areas while leaving less portable artifacts behind. Although the museum building remains standing, tens of thousands of antiquities from its collection of 150,000 objects were plundered, with some appearing for sale online.

THE VENICE BIENNALE IN AN EDITION MARKED BY POLITICAL GAMES

The Venice Biennale's 2024 edition is embroiled in political controversy surrounding its national pavilions, particularly those of Russia, South Africa, and Israel. The Russian pavilion's readmission amid the war in Ukraine drew sharp criticism from the artistic community and led the European Union to withdraw approximately two million euros in funding. The Israeli pavilion, which remained empty in 2024 to protest hostage situations, now features a proposal by sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru, prompting protests from the Art Not Genocide Alliance and over 200 artists demanding its exclusion. The curatorial team, appointed by the late curator Koyo Kouoh, resigned collectively nine days before the opening, and the Biennale's directorship canceled the opening ceremony, postponing awards to November. Demonstrations led by Art Not Genocide Alliance, Pussy Riot, and FEMEN surrounded the Russian pavilion during the press opening, and a strike by cultural workers is planned for May 8th.

A Painting by Gerard van Honthorst in Utrecht

Un tableau de Gerard van Honthorst à Utrecht

The Centraal Museum in Utrecht has acquired a painting by Gerard van Honthorst, titled *Extase de Marie-Madeleine* (c. 1618-1620), purchased from Cantore Galleria. The work was previewed at TEFAF Maastricht, where the museum also announced a major retrospective dedicated to the artist, titled "Gerard van Honthorst - En tout point différent de Rembrandt," which opened on April 25.

Dozens of Venice Biennale Artists Withdraw From Awards En Masse

Almost half of the artists in the 61st Venice Biennale's international exhibition, along with 16 national pavilion teams, have withdrawn from awards consideration in solidarity with the jury's resignation. The jury resigned on April 30 after stating it would not consider countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the ICC, effectively disqualifying Israel and Russia. The Biennale Foundation then replaced the traditional Golden Lions with new "Visitor Lions" decided by public vote, reinstating all pavilions including Israel and Russia. The withdrawal follows protests at the Russian and Israeli pavilions and a historic labor strike that shuttered multiple pavilions.

Iran Withdraws From 2026 Venice Biennale

Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Venice Biennale, the world's most important art event, organizers announced on May 4. No official reason was given, but the withdrawal comes amid an uncertain ceasefire in Iran's war with the United States and Israel. The Biennale confirmed the decision in a statement, noting that 100 countries will still participate, including newcomers Tanzania and Seychelles. This follows South Africa's withdrawal over a legal dispute concerning a Gaza-focused artwork, and the closure of the Russian Pavilion to the public after the EU withdrew €2 million in funding over Russia's involvement.

Urgent Request from Participating Artists and Curators of the 61st Venice Biennale

第61回ヴェネツィア・ビエンナーレ参加アーティストおよびキュレーターによる緊急要請

A group of 73 artists and curators participating in the 61st Venice Biennale, including Yoshiko Shimada and Bubu de la Madeleine, have issued an urgent demand to the Biennale's board to revoke Israel's participation. The collective specifically objects to the decision to relocate the Israeli pavilion to the Arsenale, arguing that its presence contradicts the curatorial vision of Artistic Director Koyo Kouoh, which emphasizes the dignity of all life. They contend that the military and police presence required for the pavilion introduces an atmosphere of violence and fear that undermines the exhibition's integrity.

Artist in Focus: Louis Pohl Koseda. Constructing the City as Memory.

British artist Louis Pohl Koseda is gaining attention for his intricate works that blend drawing, painting, and architectural theory to explore the city as a psychological structure. His practice, which he terms 'metafictionism,' utilizes fine-line drawing to create layered compositions where figures navigate unstable, theatrical urban environments. Influenced by his upbringing in an East London Hare Krishna community, Koseda’s work focuses on how belief systems and social fabrics are mapped onto the physical and imagined spaces of the city.

The Joy of Discovery at 1-54 Art Fair

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, now open at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan, presents a smaller edition than previous years but continues to offer unexpected, tactile works. Highlights include Rommulo Vieira Conceição's Pop-art-inspired wall installation at Aura gallery, Kendra Frorup's mixed-media piece at the Current: Baha Mar Gallery, and Eymric Moderne's gold-leaf and glass bird painting at TM Arthouse. The fair also features posthumous works by Marcel Gotène at Loeve and Co and Sophia Bounou's enigmatic paintings at Blond Contemporary.

The Jury of the 2026 Venice Art Biennale Will Be Completely Composed of Women

La giuria della Biennale d’Arte di Venezia 2026 sarà tutta composta da donne

The organizing body of the Venice Biennale has announced the international jury for its 61st International Art Exhibition, titled 'In Minor Keys.' For the first time, the five-member jury is composed entirely of women: Solange Oliveira Farkas (president), Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi. They will award the prestigious Golden Lions and special mentions during the awards ceremony on May 9.

Anila Quayyum Agha exhibitions in Nashville and Huntsville

The Frist Art Museum in Nashville will present "Anila Quayyum Agha: Interwoven," a survey exhibition spanning two decades of the Pakistani American artist's work, from May 22 to August 30, 2026. Organized by The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, the show features 26 works including installations, drawings, and sculptures that explore themes of identity, immigration, and environmental devastation, drawing on influences from Indo-Islamic architecture, Urdu poetry, and traditional crafts. The exhibition, which is the final stop on a four-venue tour, includes Agha's iconic lightbox installations such as "Intersections" (which won the 2014 ArtPrize) and "All the Flowers Are for Me (Red)."

At the Galleries for May 21, 2026

The article titled 'At the Galleries for May 21, 2026' published by 27east provides a roundup of current art exhibitions and gallery shows opening or ongoing as of that date. It highlights specific venues, artists, and works on view, serving as a local guide for art enthusiasts on the East End of Long Island.

Alex Israel on finding inspiration in Erewhon, AI as a tool and new show 'Where Is My Mind'

Multimedia artist Alex Israel has launched his first collaboration with Pace Prints, releasing a new suite of 10 archival pigment prints titled 'Where Is My Mind?' The series, part of his ongoing Self Portrait project, features intimate-scale works that incorporate representational imagery within his signature silhouette—ranging from the Hollywood Bowl stage to aerial views of Los Angeles and a California desert scene with an iPhone outline. Each print began as a photograph, translated into paint by the Scenic Art department at Warner Brothers Studio, then scanned and mounted in custom frames. The show coincides with Pace Prints' upcoming expansion into Los Angeles in fall 2026.

Wonder Gallery Debuts in Coney Island With Vintage Photos and Mini Zines

Wonder Gallery, a collaboration between Parachute Literary Arts and the Coney Island History Project, opens May 23 at the History Project's Exhibit Center beside the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island. The seasonal gallery will debut with black-and-white photographs by Brooklyn documentary photographer Anders Goldfarb, capturing Coney Island residents and architecture from the 1970s and 1980s, alongside the launch of the Coney Island Zine Machine featuring miniature zines by Sheepshead Bay artist Kelly Luu. The free gallery will be open weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Major, International Touring Exhibition ‘Treasures of the Pharaohs’ Coming to the Kimbell Art Museum in 2027

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, announced it will host the major international touring exhibition 'Treasures of the Pharaohs' from March 14 to September 19, 2027. Featuring 130 artifacts from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, the exhibition spans 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including royal treasures, newly discovered objects from the 'Golden City' in the Valley of the Kings, and works from Dynasty I to the Ptolemaic period. The exhibition is currently on view at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome and will travel to the de Young museum in San Francisco before arriving at the Kimbell.

“Joseph Barrett: Views from his Lahaska Studio” to open at Silverman Gallery

The Silverman Gallery of Bucks County Impressionist Art in Holicong, Pennsylvania, will open a new exhibition titled “Joseph Barrett: Views from his Lahaska Studio” on May 16-17, 2025, with opening receptions featuring live jazz and refreshments. The show runs through June 20 and includes previously unseen works such as “View from My Window,” “Neshaminy,” and “County Theater in Snow,” alongside Barrett’s painting “Estate of Joseph Stanley,” recently returned from a two-year display at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of the State Department’s Art in Embassies program.

Issy Wood’s first solo exhibition in the Nordics opened at Kistefos

Kistefos presents *Fish, Fish, Duck*, the first solo exhibition in the Nordic region by London-based painter Issy Wood, opened at Nybruket Gallery on 9 May 2026. The show features psychologically charged paintings on velvet and linen, self-portraits, animals, household objects, and a painted chaise longue, organized around the thematic frameworks "Ways of Seeing" and "The Artist as Archivist." Curated by Live Drønen and Kate Smith-Raabe, the exhibition draws on sources from the internet, advertising, and auction catalogues to explore desire, power, vulnerability, and objectification.

Marina Abramović’s Historic Venice Biennale Exhibition Is a Full-Circle Moment

Marina Abramović has become the first living woman to be honored with a dedicated exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia, titled “Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy.” The show, which coincides with her 80th birthday, features works selected in dialogue with Renaissance masterpieces from the museum’s permanent collection, including pieces such as “The Lovers, Great Wall Walk,” “Balkan Baroque,” and “Pietà (Anima Mundi).” Abramović first visited the Venice Biennale at age 14 and later won the Golden Lion there in 1997; this exhibition marks a full-circle return to the city that inspired her.

Realms of the Dharma

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has opened "Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia," an exhibition on view through July 12, 2026, that brings together approximately 180 Buddhist artworks from its permanent collection for the first time in a single space. Curated by Stephen Little and Tushara Bindu Gude, the show features paintings, sculptures, ritual objects, and sacred texts spanning Asia, including a notable gray schist bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara from Gandhara (c. 200 CE). The exhibition highlights the transformative work of curator Pratapaditya Pal, who from 1970 built LACMA's Indian, Himalayan, and Islamic collections into one of the nation's premier repositories.

Yinka Ilori: Joy Through Resistance He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best

The article text is corrupted and unreadable, appearing as garbled binary data. Based on the title "Yinka Ilori: Joy Through Resistance He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best", it appears to be about British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori, likely covering an exhibition or project that explores themes of joy and resistance through his signature colorful, pattern-based work.