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The Headlines
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. The New York Historical (NYH) has just received 150 artworks by Native American artists, donated by the chair of its board of trustees, Agnes Hsu-Tang—and her husband, Oscar Tang. The gift coincides with the 250th anniversary of the US, reports the Art Newspaper. Works by Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), Juane Quick-to-See Smith (Salish), T.C. Cannon (Kiowa), Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), and more, are among the artists represented in the donation. “We both see ourselves as messengers … I don’t own these works of art. I’m here to be a temporary steward of these messages, and to pass on—it’s my duty to connect the past, the present, and the future,” said Hsu-Tang.
BEZOS IN VOGUE? In case you missed it, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos will be the honorary chairs of the Met Gala, reports the New York Times. But that detail was buried in the second page of a recent announcement about the event’s “fashion is art” theme, and after a long list of co-chairs, plus 24 members of the party’s host committee. “Was that the point?” asks reporter Vanessa Friedman. The couple were previously major sponsors of the Met Gala and exhibition, but this will be their first crowning as honorary chairs of the glamorous gig, meaning they will also likely hold court at the top of the Met steps, receiving guests as they come in. The Bezoses’ earlier involvement as sponsors reportedly provoked “an outcry,” and a compelling explanation for the addendum-style announcement.
The Digest
Lucía Sanromán and Aimee Harrison will curate the 14th edition of the next Liverpool Biennial, taking place 5 June-12 September 2027. The festival will explore perspectives and experiences of childhood and youth in Liverpool and across the world. [press release]
The French government has abandoned a recently announced plan to “reorganize” the management of the Louvre, under the leadership of Philippe Jost, who is known for his work restoring the fire-damaged Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Jost was to act as a de facto guardian, working alongside Louvre president Laurence des Cars, in what was widely viewed as a humiliating blow to her competence. [Le Monde]
A new study found that creative workers tended to feel positive while engaged in their artistic endeavors, but suffered from negative fallout afterwards. [The Journal of Positive Psychology]
Daft Punk musician Thomas Bangalter will lend his talents to the production of a massive art installation on the Pont Neuf in Paris by the artist JR. The temporary artwork titled La Caverne du Pont Neuf was conceived as a tribute to the late artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped the same bridge with cloth in 1985. [Le Figaro]
Gallery Weekend Berlin has published the list of its 50 participating galleries for the forthcoming May edition, along with a new format called “Perspectives.” [Monopol]
The Kicker
FOUNTAIN OF FILTH. People strolling along the River Thames, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars, may be surprised to come across what at first glance looks like an ordinary bronze fountain. But there is something decidedly off about this watery sculpture titled Fountain of Filth and created by the Glue Society art collective. The murky water spouting from this fountain comes right from the mouths of vomiting, bent-over people, including children. Beside them are replicas of sewage pipes emptying waste into the surrounding pool of water. The temporary installation features real environmental activists who posed as models, and aims to bring awareness to the detrimental effects of water pollution on the environment and public health, while also promoting a forthcoming “factual drama” about the issue on Channel 4, called Dirty Business, reports the Times.
