Review: Getting lost in the art is the best part of LACMA’s new revisionist fever dream of a museum

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has opened its new David Geffen Galleries, a radical reinvention of the museum experience. The installation, conceived by director Michael Govan and architect Peter Zumthor, abandons traditional chronological and departmental silos, instead creating a continuous, curving flow of art from across time, place, and medium. Visitors are encouraged to wander and get lost, forging their own connections between works.

An open letter to La Biennale di Venezia calls out inaction in the face of global atrocities

A group of 74 artists and curators invited to the 61st Venice Biennale have issued an open letter to the institution's president, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. The signatories are protesting the decision to relocate the Israeli Pavilion to the Arsenale, placing it in close proximity to the central exhibition 'In Minor Keys' curated by the late Koyo Kouoh. The letter demands the exclusion of official delegations from countries accused of war crimes—specifically Israel, Russia, and the United States—and accuses the Biennale of complicity through its silence on global atrocities.

UWS’s American Folk Art Museum Marks Two Milestones With New Shows

The American Folk Art Museum on the Upper West Side is celebrating its 65th anniversary and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with two major exhibitions: “Folk Nation: Crafting Patriotism in the United States” and “Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists.” These shows feature works ranging from 19th-century textiles to 20th-century paintings by self-taught icons like Morris Hirshfield and Reverend Benjamin Franklin Perkins, highlighting how marginalized and non-academic artists have historically interpreted American identity and personal narrative.

Two years on from 7 October attacks, Israeli museum directors are in ‘complete isolation’

Two years after the 7 October 2023 attacks, Israeli museum directors report feeling isolated from the international art world. Tania Coen-Uzzielli, director of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, says most international collaborations were put on hold, delayed, or cancelled. The museum, which has a history of political activism, closed partially during protests against judicial reforms and has taken a public stance to end the war and suffering in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv-Yafo City Museum, which opened just after the attacks, shifted to documenting wartime reality and supporting artists, but has received no direct support from international colleagues. The National Library of Israel repeatedly deinstalled and secured its collections during Iranian missile attacks, reopening when safe.

Calder Gardens opens this weekend in Philadelphia

Calder Gardens, a new art space dedicated to the work of Alexander Calder, opens this weekend in Philadelphia on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, across from the Rodin Museum. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron with gardens by Piet Oudolf, the building is mostly underground and emphasizes a multi-sensory experience, including curated scents, textured surfaces, and no wall labels. The space will display 50 years of Calder's mobiles, stabiles, paintings, and drawings, rotating works without a fixed schedule.

A secular church for the art of Alexander Calder opens in Philly on Sunday

A new $100 million art center dedicated to Alexander Calder, called Calder Gardens, opens on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 21. Designed by architect Jacques Herzog of Herzog & de Meuron with landscape by Piet Oudolf, the building features underground galleries, sunken gardens, and no wall text, encouraging visitors to have a personal, sacred experience with Calder's sculptures, paintings, and works on paper. The Calder Foundation built the space, and the Barnes Foundation administers it in partnership.

Alexander Calder finally gets hometown space in Philadelphia

Calder Gardens, a $70 million space dedicated to Alexander Calder, will open on September 21 in Philadelphia, the artist's hometown. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the complex features subterranean galleries and open-air pavilions surrounded by gardens, with no wall labels and rotating works from the Calder Foundation, MoMA, and the Whitney Museum. The project, led by Calder's grandson Alexander S. C. Rower and philanthropist Joseph Neubauer, revives a plan that stalled in the mid-2000s.

Trump administration’s anti-woke campaign targets Smithsonian museums

The Trump administration has launched a campaign targeting Smithsonian museums, accusing them of promoting an "anti-American agenda" through exhibits that focus on oppression rather than national achievements. A White House document, obtained by the Guardian, lists problematic exhibits at seven museums, including a Benjamin Franklin display linking his scientific work to slave ownership and a film about George Floyd's murder. The administration has demanded content corrections and threatened to remove what it calls "woke" ideology from the institution.

Taste test: artist-made desserts will be shown (and eaten) in New York gallery’s one-night exhibition

On Saturday, June 28, the Lower East Side gallery Olympia will host CAKE, a one-night exhibition and feast featuring desserts donated by dozens of New York-based artists, including Hannah Beerman, Mie Yim, Wells Chandler, Robin F. Williams, Hein Koh, and Melissa Joseph. The event functions as a fundraiser for the gallery and a participatory performance art piece, with tickets priced at $45. The gallery's founder and director, Ali Rossi, conceived the show as a community-centric alternative to typical summer group exhibitions, and all desserts will be photographed before consumption to preserve documentation.

Maggi Hambling: ‘The sea is sort of inside me now … [and] it’s as if she has become a wave’

Maggi Hambling has unveiled a deeply personal installation titled "Time" at Norfolk's 18th-century Wolterton Hall, as part of the exhibition "Sea State." The installation features a single portrait of her late partner, Tory Lawrence, alongside 40 small paintings called "nightwaves," created in response to Lawrence's death from a brain tumor in autumn 2024. The show also includes new works by Ro Robertson and Hambling's ongoing "Wall of Water" series, marking the first arts and culture program at the historic Palladian house built for Horatio Walpole.

Souto’s work featured in Joslyn’s ‘Made in the Plains’ exhibition

Francisco Souto, a professor of art and director of the School of Art, Art History and Design at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is one of 20 artists featured in the exhibition "Made in the Plains" at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, running from June 7 to September 21, 2025. The show highlights new and recent work by artists living in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota, showcasing diverse materials and approaches. Souto is debuting a new polyptych, "8 Million Broken Dreams," consisting of eight circular panels with stone arrangements that reference the over eight million people who have left Venezuela, incorporating visual elements inspired by Carlos Cruz-Diez's mosaic floors at Simón Bolívar International Airport.

Philadelphia’s “Cardboard Genius” Takes Center Stage in a New Exhibition

A new exhibition titled "Cardboard Genius: The Architectural Marvels of Kambel Smith" has opened at Historic Germantown in Philadelphia, running through June 29. The show features large-scale, intricate replicas of architecturally significant buildings—such as Philadelphia's Police Administration Building and the Georgia State House—all constructed from salvaged cardboard by self-taught artist Kambel Smith, who is autistic. Smith's father, Lonnie, coined the term "Autisarians" to describe his sons' super-human abilities and has been a key supporter of Kambel's creative journey, which has included solo shows in New York, London, and Atlanta since 2019.

Artists Across America Are Creating Stunning Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paintings, Sculptures and Artifacts

Museums across the United States are hosting "Art in Bloom" exhibitions, where floral artists create custom arrangements inspired by artworks in museum collections. The Cincinnati Art Museum recently held its show with 65 arrangements alongside pieces ranging from sculptures to oil portraits, including a sugar flower installation by Amsterdam-based artist Natasja Sadi. Other institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—which started the tradition in 1976—and the Minneapolis Institute of Art also participate, with artists like Amy Kubas drawing inspiration from works such as a Japanese block print.

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.

Marilyn Monroe, Iconic Idol

Marilyn Monroe, idole iconique

The Cinémathèque française in Paris is presenting an exhibition dedicated to Marilyn Monroe to mark the centenary of her birth. The show explores her evolution from actress to a globally reproduced image, featuring portraits by renowned photographers and examining her enduring cultural presence.

The MAGA Theory of Art

The article examines the aesthetic dimensions of the MAGA movement, comparing and contrasting it with historical fascist regimes, particularly Nazi Germany. It argues that while both movements share a theatrical, media-savvy approach to politics and a resentment of cultural elites, MAGA lacks the disciplined, sophisticated aesthetic program and the cadre of high-profile artists and designers that characterized Nazi cultural production.

Marianne Vitale exhibition and performance in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents "Marianne Vitale: On Liberty: A Summoning," an exhibition and performance project at SPACE gallery in downtown Pittsburgh, running from May 1 to October 11, 2026. Guest curated by Benjamin Tischer of New Discretions, the project explores the layered social and cultural history of the 818 Liberty Avenue building, a former hub of nightlife, performance, and queer gathering. Vitale's work incorporates sculpture, painting, film, and live activations, using decommissioned locomotive parts and industrial debris to engage with post-industrial America. The exhibition transforms into a functioning club during select Final Fridays, drawing on the site's history as home to venues like Pegasus Lounge, a key LGBTQ+ space during the AIDS crisis.

5 Art Openings in London this week.

Five art openings in London are scheduled for the first week of 2026, split across two nights. On Thursday, January 8, two group exhibitions debut: 'PELT' at OHSH Projects (above Peckham Rye Station) features 19 artists exploring skin as a site of memory and mortality, and 'Connecting Threads' at Great Pulteney Street Gallery presents 11 artists expanding textile art. On Friday, January 9, three solo shows open: Max Boyla's 'Spooky Action At a Distance' at Palmer Gallery, Willa Cosinuke's 'Split Studies' at Chilli, and Sverre Malling's 'At The Mistress’ Request' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.

Basel's new satellite fair rides the wave of interest in contemporary African art

A new satellite art fair called Africa Basel has launched in Basel, Switzerland, founded by artist Benjamin Füglister and Photo Basel director Sven Eisenhut-Hug. The fair brings together 18 galleries, half from Africa, in a 14th-century building that once housed Dieter Roth's studio. Participants include non-commercial organizations like Ghana's Nubuke Foundation and Zambia's Modzi Arts, with prices ranging from SFr3,000 to SFr150,000. The fair aims to provide a platform for galleries specializing in contemporary African art and its diaspora to enter the global scene.

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.

Wer vertritt wen in Venedig?

The Spiritual Ear: On Daniel Heller-Roazen’s Far Calls

The article is a critical review of Daniel Heller-Roazen's new book, 'Far Calls: On Omens, Slips, & Epiphanies.' It examines the book's central thesis, which explores the historical and philosophical concept of a 'spiritual ear'—the interval between speaking and hearing where language escapes its intended meaning, giving rise to omens, slips of the tongue, and epiphanies. The review traces Heller-Roazen's genealogical investigation from ancient divinatory practices to modern psychoanalysis, highlighting his argument that linguistic accidents hold prophetic potential.

Israel Addresses Venice Biennale Jury’s ‘Boycott’ of Pavilion: ‘A Contamination of the Art World’

Israel’s foreign ministry has condemned a statement by the Venice Biennale jury, in which the five curators declared they would not consider pavilions from countries charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. The jury’s decision effectively boycotts Israel and Russia, whose leaders face ICC arrest warrants. Israel called the move a “contamination of the art world,” while the artist representing Israel, Belu-Simion Fainaru, also denounced the jury for creating a hostile environment. The Biennale’s organizers have distanced themselves from the jury, stating they cannot exclude any recognized state from the exhibition.

Venice Biennale Jury Says It Won’t Consider Countries Charged with Crimes Against Humanity, Including Israel and Russia

The Venice Biennale's jury announced it will not consider nations whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, effectively excluding Israel and Russia from competing for top honors. The jury, led by Videobrasil founder Solange Farkas, stated this decision aligns with curator Koyo Kouoh's vision and the Biennale's historical role as a platform connecting art to urgent issues. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while other indicted leaders like Sudan's Omar al-Bashir and Afghan officials lack Biennale pavilions.

ancient rock art australia woodside energy burrup peninsula 1234744046

The Australian government has conditionally approved a 40-year extension for Woodside Energy's North West Shelf gas plant on the Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga), home to an estimated one million petroglyphs dating back 50,000 years. Environment Minister Murray Watt announced the decision on May 28 after a six-year review, imposing strict conditions on air emissions and cultural heritage management, though the specific conditions remain confidential. Archaeologist Benjamin Smith of the University of Western Australia has warned that pollutants from the extended operations pose a grave risk to the rock art, which includes the world's earliest depictions of human faces.

In new play, Norval Morrisseau forgery scandal prompts questions about authenticity and Indigenous identity

A new play by Ojibway playwright Drew Hayden Taylor, *The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light*, dramatizes the massive Norval Morrisseau art forgery scandal in Canada. The story follows an Indigenous art expert named Nazhi, her adopted daughter Beverly, and a journalist whose investigation into Morrisseau forgeries unravels Nazhi’s own identity and status. The play uses Morrisseau’s iconic imagery and the forensic analysis of paint colors to explore the blurred lines between authentic and fake, both in art and in personal identity. It concluded its run at Vancouver’s Firehall Arts Centre on 3 May.

Venice Biennale jury ‘will not award artists from countries facing war crimes charges’

The jury of the Venice Biennale has announced it will not award prizes to artists from countries whose leaders face charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, a decision widely seen as targeting Russia and Israel. The five-member jury, appointed by the late curator Koyo Kouoh, stated its commitment to human rights and will exclude artists from nations whose governments are under ICC investigation when selecting winners of the Golden and Silver Lion awards for the 2026 edition, which opens on 9 May. The move follows controversy over Russia’s participation in the biennale, with the European Commission threatening to suspend a €2m grant due to Russia’s involvement, and Italy’s far-right government opposing the decision.

THE MET GETS A NEW GREAT HALL BY PETERSON RICH OFFICE

Peterson Rich Office (PRO) has designed a new Great Hall Gallery for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, occupying 12,000 square feet across five sequential rooms in a former exterior courtyard adjacent to the landmark Great Hall. The renovation exposes and celebrates historic exterior façades from the 1880s and 1890s, creating a layered architectural experience. The space is intended to host rotating exhibitions, particularly the Costume Institute's annual spring show, and is currently under construction.

In Stockholm, the Tech scene supports art

Stockholm's art fair, featuring 54 galleries and around 150 artists, offers a democratic layout with no sections, placing established and emerging galleries side by side. Prices range from €300 to €300,000, with most works under €50,000. Notable presentations include Olafur Eliasson's new works at i8 gallery, Benjamin Orlow's sculpture destined for the Venice Biennale's Nordic Pavilion, and emerging galleries like Coulisse Gallery showing Jonatan Pihlgren. The fair reflects a strong local collector base, though some galleries note a recent market contraction.

Exhibit Review: Revolution! 250 Years of Art and Activism in Boston – Museum Studies Blog at Tufts University

The Boston Public Library in Copley Square has opened "Revolution! 250 Years of Art and Activism in Boston," its first major exhibition in nearly a decade. The show uses a deliberately unfinished design of plywood and scaffolding to symbolize democracy as a work in progress, moving chronologically from the American Revolution through the 21st century. It features engravings by Paul Revere, portraits of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, works addressing Toussaint L’Ouverture and Haitian revolution, Boston abolitionists, the Civil War, civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and contemporary activism including Indigenous, LGBTQ+, climate, and anti-police brutality movements.