Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most consequential developments coming from the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Monday, January 30.
MUST READ
Hermès and MetaBirkin go to trial – The French luxury brand is taking digital artist Mason Rothschild to court over trademark infringement after the artist released his MetaBirkins NFT collection, which depicts the fashion house’s famous Birkin bag without permission. The case will continue today in federal court in Manhattan. (Mint Telegraph)
Politician condemns Tate Britain’s Drag Queen Storytime – The Conservative Party’s Emma Harriet Nicholson, who is a current member of the House of Lords, has written an open letter to the Tate’s board of trustees criticizing the museum’s decision to invite drag queen Aida H. Dee to acting towards a children’s group, condemning it as “propaganda.” The letter came with a petition signed by 3,500 people protesting Tate’s imposition of “gender ideology” on children. “We do not program artists to promote particular views, nor to reconcile different views ,” a Tate spokesperson said in response to the uproar. (ART news)
British museum staff to strike – More than 100 employees of the museum’s visitor services and security teams who are members of the Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS), the country’s largest public service union, will be among the latest in the UK to strike over pay and pension disputes, with a seven day-long action planned from 13 February. The country is expected to see the biggest strike day in a decade this Wednesday. (Evening Standard)
Dua Lipa Collects Hirst NFTs – The Grammy-winning pop star’s love for butterflies is evidenced not only by her outfits, but also by her choice of art. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter has revealed she owns at least four out of five of Damien Hirt’s limited edition butterfly prints from the series The Empresses, named after female rulers throughout world history. The limited edition prints are part of an NFT collection produced by Hirst and Heni in early 2022. (The Art Newspaper)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Phillips collaborates with ICA San Francisco – The auction house has begun a three-year partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco, with the house supporting one exhibition at the institution each year, starting with the group show “Resting Our Eyes,” which opened just last week. (Press release)
Sargent’s Daughters West Name Director – Angela Robins will take on the role of director for the gallery’s new Los Angeles-based outpost, returning to the art world after leaving to become a winemaker. The first show at the gallery, titled “Death of Beauty,” has an all-star lineup and opens on February 14. (Press release)
Skowhegan Raises $21 Million – The Maine-based school of painting and sculpture surpassed its 75th anniversary capital campaign, with donations from art world honchos including Eleanor Acquavella, Donald Moffett and Paul Volent. The funds will help to upgrade the facilities on campus for students; two new structures are slated for completion this year: a Flex Space and a series of natural amphitheater spaces. (Press release)
TO BOOT
Saatchi Yates opens new gallery in Saint James – The London gallery has just inaugurated its new 10,000 sq ft gallery space on Bury Street with a solo show of paintings by Cologne-based, Lebanese artist Omar El Lahib. The large exhibition on the ground floor will present breakthrough artists, while private rooms are reserved for secondary market offerings. (Press release)
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