MICHAEL NAST
Shocks to the System
Documenta 14 has become the target of a far-right German politician, who called Olu Oguibe’s towering obelisk “deformed art.” Adam Szymczyk, the quinquennial’s artistic director, said he was “appalled” by the remark. [Artnet News]
A former assistant to Dale Chihuly is suing the 75-year-old glass artist and his wife, who helps run his business, alleging that he was not properly compensated for works he created. The couple has denied the claims. [The New York Times]
Tensions with the United States have led North Korea to use propaganda art to shape its citizens’ opinions. Missiles demolishing the Capitol in Washington, D.C., is a popular theme. [The Guardian]
Total Eclipse of the Art
In case you still haven’t had your fill of eclipse-related news, here’s a complete history of art about the astronomical phenomenon. [Co.Design]
The Talent
Miki Garcia, formerly the executive director and chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, will now be the director of the ASU Art Museum in Arizona. [Press Release]
Ramon Boixados Malé, the president of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, has died at 89. [Artforum]
Looking Backward . . .
The true story of how one Vili figurine altered the history of Western art, setting off a chain reaction that created modernism as we now know it. [BBC News]
London’s National Gallery has purchased Bernardo Bellotto’s The Fortress of Königstein to the North (1756–58) for around £11 million (about $14.1 million). [The Art Newspaper]
Ramiro Gomez discusses his paintings, which typically take on images of Los Angeles throughout art history and subvert them, calling attention to marginalized groups. [The Guardian]
. . . And Looking Forward
The Italian jewelry company Bulgari will team up with Rome’s Maxxi museum to start a new contemporary art prize. [WWD]
Collecting
Tony Kushner and his husband, writer Mark Harris, reveal what’s hanging on their walls. [The New York Times]
Through the link below, pictures from a recent party hosted by Sotheby’s to celebrate the sale of works from Mario Testino’s collection. [Vogue]