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- The Smithsonian is under yet more pressure from the Trump administration over its leadership and governance.
- Yoko Ono’s landmark performance Cut Piece is being revisited at The Broad in Los Angeles.
- The Cincinnati Art Museum opens its first Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room.
The Headlines
BOARD OF CONTENTION. The Smithsonian is facing an unusual leadership battle as several new nominees to its Board of Regents have yet to reach Congress amid tensions with the Trump administration, the New York Times reported. The 17-member board, which oversees the institution’s strategy, finances, and governance, has traditionally operated independently of the White House, but the delay has raised questions over whether the administration is seeking greater influence over the museum network. The standoff follows a broader White House campaign criticizing Smithsonian exhibitions and historical framing, while Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has largely avoided confrontation and retained enough board support to remain in control. The Smithsonian, which receives significant federal funding, now faces pressure over both its governance and its relationship with the administration.
CUTTING EDGE. Yoko Ono’s landmark performance Cut Piece is being revisited at The Broad in Los Angeles, where artist MPA is staging new live interpretations of the 1964 work, theGuardianreported. More than six decades after Ono first invited audience members to cut away pieces of her clothing, the performance continues to raise questions about vulnerability, participation, and the relationship between artist and viewer. The revival also highlights the staying power of performance works that exist through repeated activation rather than a fixed object.
The Digest
The Cincinnati Art Museum is opening its first Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room, bringing one of the artist’s immersive installations to the institution for the first time. [City Beat]
What makes a museum unforgettable? The Telegraph explores the ingredients behind the world’s most beloved institutions, from architecture and gallery design to the rhythm of a visit and the stories built around a collection. [The Telegraph]
The FT has praised Los Angeles as a “museum city,” which is reportedly “easier to navigate than you think.” [FT]
Explore Corsica’s art scene, viewed through the window of the island’sBiennale Bonifacio. [The Art Journal]
The Kicker
ART AS MEDICINE. Could a trip to a museum help keep you young? The Independent reported that a new study suggests that regular engagement with cultural activities, including visits to museums, cinemas, concerts, and theaters, is linked to slower biological aging. Researchers found that people who frequently took part in cultural experiences showed younger biological markers than those with lower levels of cultural participation, adding to growing interest in the connection between creativity, social engagement, and wellbeing.
