Biennials postponed
The Bienal de Arte Paiz has been postponed by a year. The Guatemalan exhibition was supposed in Antigua on 28 May but the Coronavirus pandemic has caused organisers to push the opening date back to 6 May 2021. With her exhibition, curator Alexia Tala aims to to take ‘Guatemala as a point of departure to investigate issues around violence, interculturality and contemporary and ancestral history’ in a programme that includes solo survey exhibitions of work by the late Guatemalan artist Aníbal López and the Chilean photographer Paz Errázuriz. Likewise the inaugural edition of the Helsinki Biennial, titled The Same Sea, which was due to open 12 June has been shifted back exactly a year. The curators, Pirkko Siitari and Taru Tappola, say that in 2021 they will install the exhibition throughout various maritime locations across Vallisaari, an island in the Finnish capital, as well mainland sites.
Temporary artistic director for Barbican
The Barbican arts complex in London has appointed Leonora Thomson as its interim artistic director, following Louise Jeffreys’ departure for the English National Opera and the London Coliseum last year. Thompson joined the Barbican in 2008 as head of communications, and in 2010 became director of audiences and development. In 2015 she joined Welsh National Opera as Managing Director, where she worked until last year.
New Keeper for Royal Academy
Cathie Pilkington has been elected Keeper of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The British sculptor will oversee the postgraduates programmes at the Royal Academy Schools. Pilkingson is a familiar face in the studios of the college, having been Professor of Sculpture since 2015. She will succeed Rebecca Salter, who was recently made president.
Critic Christopher Knight wins 2020 Pulitzer Prize
Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight, whose sharp commentary decried the proposed LACMA expansion, is the Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism. Three-time finalist Knight is one of a handful of art critics to secure the top prize in this category. Earlier this year, Knight was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Art Journalism from the Rabkin Foundation.
Support for US non-profits
The VIA Art Fund has provided 24 independent, non-profit arts organisations with financial support from a $342,000 emergency relief fund. Among the grantees receiving $14,250 towards general operating costs, are CCA Wattis in San Francisco, The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago and New York’s Rhizome.
Co-op fair
The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) are launching a new cooperative, online, art fair. FAIR, which will run 18 May – 12 June, is to operate on a profit-sharing model designed to ensure all participants can make revenue. Participants won’t be charged a fee but will be asked to contribute a percentage of each sale to NADA to support their work as an organisation.
Helga de Alvear donates to vaccine research
Art collector and gallerist Helga de Alvear is donating $1.1 million to fund efforts in finding a vaccine for COVID-19. The donation will go to support the world of virologist Luis Enjuanes at the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
Perrotin collaborating with neighbours
In a show of support for the local art community, Perrotin is inviting 26 Paris galleries to present works in its Saint Claude gallery when it reopens on 23 May. The initiative, titled Reston Unis (Stay United), will see the galleries, in groups of six or seven, presenting works from their artists for two weeks at a time in rotation. The project will run until 14 August. In a statement posted on the gallery’s Instagram page, founder Emmanuel Perrotin said, ‘Although difficult, this is the time to underline the foundations of our profession and our commitment to diversity, openness, and art.’
France sells furniture to fund health
Mobilier National, France’s official agency for the conservation of the nation’s antique furniture collection, will auction off 100 of its pieces to raise funds for the Foundation for Paris Hospitals and French Hospitals. The auctions, taking place on 20 and 21 September, are reported to include articles from the 19th century. Director Hervé Lemoine defended the move in a statement to Le Figaro saying, ‘We will choose furniture that has no heritage value or use value.’
Museum Ludwig reopens
The Cologne institution will reopen on 5 May as part of a phased plan by the German government to slowly ease the nation out of lockdown. Officials emphasised that all necessary precautions to protect visitors and staff will be undertaken, including keeping the number of visitor at any one time below 400 and requiring everyone to wear masks. The government plans to assess the situation every two weeks and adjust measures accordingly. Under the government’s plan mass gatherings will still be prohibited until 31 August.
