Art Industry News: Christie’s Launches New Blockchain-Based ‘Christie’s 3.0’ Platform With Sale of 18-Year-Old’s Art + Other Stories
Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most consistent developments coming out of the art world and the art market. Here’s what you need to know this Tuesday, September 28.
MUST READ
Fourth socket initiator on Queen’s proposal – Prue Leith (who, in addition to being a judge on Great British bake-off, apparently also campaigned for the Fourth Plinth public art programme) has entered the debate over whether the Queen should get a permanent statue in the Trafalgar Square area. She says the site is not prominent enough for the late monarch. (Guardian)
Hurricane Preparedness in Florida – Museums between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. Tampa Museum of Art and The Dalí Museum is among those closing in anticipation of the storm, which is expected to hit tomorrow, September 29. (The art newspaper)
Christie’s debuts Web3 Initiative – Called Christie’s 3.0, the new platform enables NFT sales organized by the house to take place exclusively on Ethereum’s blockchain. It launches today with nine NFT artworks by 18-year-old Diana Sinclair. (TAN)
Is the art loss register compromised? – The world’s largest database of lost art helps owners and buyers track and trace missing works; the company also provides certificates for parts not in their listings. But these approval documents are vulnerable to being manipulated by art thieves who may provide false information to obtain them. (Observer)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
The theme of the São Paulo Biennale – “Choreographies about the impossible” is the title of the 2023 exhibition. Curators Diane Lima, Grada Kilomba, Hélio Menezes and Manuel Borja-Villel have called the upcoming show an “invitation to radical imaginations” in a recently published curatorial text. (c&)
Artistic Freedom Initiative Exceeds Target – The New York-based human rights organization has resettled 23 at-risk artists (as well as 38 of their family members) from Afghanistan to the United States, surpassing its goal of 18. (TAN)
Paris+ off-site programs – More than 20 works will be available across the city. Omer Fast, Nina Beier, Raúl de Nieves and Niki de Saint Phalle are among the artists who will present public works off-site during Art Basel’s first fair in the city, which opens on 20 October. (press release)
Hamburg prepares Benin bronze return – The German city’s government has arranged for the transfer of its 179 Benin bronzes to Nigeria. An official signing with officials from both nations is planned for December. The objects in Hamburg, valued at €58.7 million, are on display in “Benin. Plundered history” at the Museum am Rothenbaum. (Monopoly)
FOR ART’S SAKE
A top collector sells art – Polish-born, Swiss-based philanthropist Grażyna Kulczyk is selling 200 works from her collection, including pieces by Vanessa Beecroft, Zhang Huan and Thomas Ruff, from 18-20 October at Desa Unicum in Warsaw. Proceeds will fund programming at her institution in the Engadin Valley, Muzeum Susch. (press release)
Michael Najjar’s Bionic Angel (2007). Courtesy the artist and collection.
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