Week in Review is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world. Subscribe to receive these posts as a weekly newsletter.
History
A fire in Cape Town, South Africa, decimated invaluable archives of African history, including Cape Town University’s African film collection, one of the largest in the world.
Archaeologists have located the site of Harriet Tubman’s family home, where she lived before escaping enslavement in 1849.
Activism and Advocacy
Members of the advocacy group PAIN say they were followed by private investigators hired by members of the Sackler family.
Asian Deaf creatives Christine Sun Kim and Ravi Vasavan teamed up with Staple Pigeon Streetwear to design an ASL “Stop Asian Hate” shirt that benefits AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) organizations.
The George Floyd and Anti-Racist Street Art database includes more than 1,800 images of anti-racist street artworks worldwide, ranging from graffiti to murals and projections.
Jive Poetic withdrew from a Museum of Modern Art poetry reading after the museum asked to read his poems in advance of the event. He instead performed them at the second Strike MoMA protest.
New York’s Reopening
Starting April 26, New York museums and zoos can open with 50% capacity.
Through May 31, anyone with proof of vaccination can visit the Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York, for free.
Beginning April 23, New Yorkers can get vaccinated under the famous blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History.
Lincoln Center’s plaza will be transformed into a giant green lawn this summer as part of a program of outdoor events intended to reignite the city’s arts sector.
In Other News
London’s Science Museum is facing backlash over a Shell-sponsored climate exhibition.
After Budweiser unexpectedly painted over murals in India, street artists banded together to defend the beloved works.
83% of Emoji users want more inclusive icons, according to a survey by Adobe.
Mills College closed after 169 years. Students and faculty praised the school as one-of-a-kind, recounting its renowned book arts program and experimental music and dance departments.
Awards & Accolades
The School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, launched a fellowship for Native American Artists and announced the 16 inaugural awardees. | SAR
María Magdalena Campos-Pons was awarded the Pérez Art Museum Miami’s annual prize. | The Art Newspaper
Transitions
Celeste Rapone is now represented by Marianne Boesky Gallery, in partnership with Corbett vs. Dempsey and Josh Lilley.
Daisy Desrosiers was appointed director of Gund Gallery at Kenyon College in Ohio. | Culture Type
Samson Young is now represented by Petzel Gallery.
In Memoriam
Mao Ayuth (1944–2021), film director | New York Times
Denis Donoghue (1928–2021), literary critic | New York Times
Monte Hellman (1929–2021), film director and producer | Guardian
June Newton (1923–2021), actress | New York Times
Robert Ross aka Black Rob (1969–2021), rapper | Vulture
Felix Silla (1937–2021), actor known for his role as Cousin Itt on The Addams Family | Daily Beast
Jim Steinman (1947–2021), composer and songwriter | Washington Post
