VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The Political Scene
At long last, the statue we’ve all been waiting for: George Washington in the buff. A preliminary model for the work by Antonio Canova will be coming to the Frick Collection next year. [The New York Times]
Art critic Christian Viveros-Fauné discusses his experience as a refugee. [Affidavit]
Here are photos of Johan Grimonperez’s latest show at ltd los angeles, which bears quite a fascinating name: “The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer: I N T E R M I S S I O N.” [Contemporary Art Daily]
Biennale Watch
The council behind the South Korean Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale is reportedly rushing to get a permit before opening on May 13. [The Hankyoreh]
Around New York
Have a look inside the Grill, the new restaurant that now occupies the space where the Four Seasons once was. [The New York Times]
Ceysson & Bénétière, the French gallery with spaces in Paris, Saint-Etienne, Geneva, and Luxembourg, will open a New York branch next month. [Artforum]
You’d expect artists like Jeff Koons and Anish Kapoor to have seats at the Public Art Fund gala, but among the attendees this year was a somewhat unexpected one: Veep actor Tony Hale. [Vogue]
Lives
Robert M. Pirsig, the author of the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which was important to many avant-garde artists in the ’50s, died yesterday at 88. [ABC News]
Extras
Pepón Osorio has unveiled a new installation at Cornell University, where he’s currently an artist-in-residence. Its subject: empathy. [The Ithaca Voice]
Claire Doherty will be the new director of Arnolfini, the arts organization in Bristol, England. [Artforum]