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# Art Movements
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/art-movements-110/
- Published: 2015-07-31T20:52:28.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:43:11.000Z
- Description: This week in art news: The Rijksmuseum acquired a rare medieval chain, the UK wavered over issuing a visa for Ai Weiwei, and Peter Brant sold his ownership of Art in America.
- Author: Tiernan Morgan
- Tags: News, Art Movements, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:08 (2014, 2015, part 2)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/07/bk-2014-29-1.jpg)

Chain from the marksmen’s guild Saint George of Zevenbergen, unidentified master’s mark, Bergen op Zoom or Breda (detail) (c. 1525–46), silver, partly gilded and enamelled, 35 x 38.5 cm, private donation (courtesy the Rijksmuseum) (click to enlarge)

*Art Movements is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world*.

The Rijksmuseum [acquired](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/whats-on/news/rijksmuseum-acquires-rare-chain-from-a-marksmens-guild?ref=hyperallergic.com) a rare medieval chain crafted by the marksmen’s guild of Saint George of Zevenbergen.

Staff at London’s National Gallery have [promised](http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/28/us-britain-gallery-strikes-idUSKCN0Q21MP20150728?ref=hyperallergic.com) further strike action as of August 17, in protest of the museum’s privatization plans (read Hyperallergic’s previous coverage [here](https://hyperallergic.com/on-track-to-privatize-400-jobs-uk-national-gallery-outsources-management-of-museum-wing/)).

London’s East End Preservation Society [urged](http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/24/tracey-emin-demolish-listed-london-building-east-end?ref=hyperallergic.com) local residents to oppose Tracey Emin’s proposed plan to demolish a 1920s complex on Bell Lane. According to the *Guardian*, Tower Hamlets Council has received 25 letters objecting to Emin’s plan to destroy the property in order to build a new studio house [designed](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/tracey-emin-london-home-david-chipperfield-07-30-2015/?ref=hyperallergic.com) by David Chipperfield.

Artist Bryan Osburn was [brutally beaten and mugged](http://observer.com/2015/07/violent-mugging-in-greenpoint-shakes-artist-community/?ref=hyperallergic.com) while walking home from his studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Osburn required jaw surgery after the attack. Gallery 106 Green will host a [benefit raffle](http://www.106green.com/current-1/2015/7/21/benefit-for-bryan-osburn?ref=hyperallergic.com) for the artist on August 9.

A felled tree [injured](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/259cbe8effa448d1a5a3f40b9f89318f/6-including-children-hurt-falling-tree-near-kids-museum?ref=hyperallergic.com) eight children outside the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/07/art_in_america_magazine_cover.jpg)

The October 2011 issue of Art in America (via Wikipedia)

Billionaire art collector Peter Brant [sold](http://observer.com/2015/07/breaking-in-art-world-shake-up-mogul-peter-brant-sheds-art-magazines/?ref=hyperallergic.com) his ownership of *Art in America* magazine to rival publication *Artnews*. As part of a consolidation deal, Brant’s company BMP Media Holdings will become the majority shareholder of Artnews S.A.

After [donating](http://kcur.org/post/art-collector-henry-bloch-keeps-his-pretty-pictures-his-own-terms?ref=hyperallergic.com) his collection of Impressionist paintings to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, trustee Henry W. Bloch worked with the museum to fill the empty walls of his house with replicas of the works.

A visitor to the National Building Museum [attributed](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2015/07/23/is-the-national-building-museums-beach-as-clean-as-advertised/?ref=hyperallergic.com) her case of bacterial pink eye to “The BEACH,” an interactive installation created by the architecture collective Snarkitecture. According to the *Washington City Paper*, the installation — which consists of almost a million plastic balls – is sprayed daily with an antimicrobial agent.

The UK’s Home Secretary Theresa May [ordered](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33738721?ref=hyperallergic.com) the Home Office to issue Ai Weiwei a six-month visa after the artist’s initial request was rejected. The UK’s Home Office denied a six-month visa (and provided a 20-day visa instead) on the basis that the artist had made “false representations” on his application form. The rejection letter (which Ai [posted](https://instagram.com/p/5vuFhhKD1U/?taken-by=aiww&ref=hyperallergic.com) on Instagram) stated that the artist failed to disclose a criminal conviction. The artist was charged with tax evasion and bigamy in 2011, but was never convicted. In 2012, Ai lost an appeal against a civil case in which he was ordered to pay a tax evasion fine of 15 million yuan (\~$2.4 million). The artist maintains that the fine was politically motivated.

The Icelandic Art Center — the organization that commissioned Christoph Büchel’s temporary mosque at the 2015 Venice Biennale – [filed a claim](http://theartnewspaper.com/news/news/157986/?ref=hyperallergic.com) against the City of Venice for [shutting down](https://hyperallergic.com/icelands-mosque-pavilion-at-the-venice-biennale-will-be-shut-down/) the project.

Artist Makoto Aida [claimed](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/controversial-japanese-artist-defiant-over-calls-to-take-down-artwork-mocking-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-10423339.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) that the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo asked him to withdraw a work mocking Japan’s prime minister on the basis that it is “unsuitable for children.” According to the *Independent*, a spokesperson for the museum asked Aida to “modify” the work in order to make it “more approachable to children.”

Non-profit Spaceworks plans to use $10 million [pledged](http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/158007/?ref=hyperallergic.com) by the City of New York to provide 50,000 square feet of affordable studios and art spaces in the Bronx.

Naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough [praised](http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/news/157927/?ref=hyperallergic.com) *Missionaries and Idols in Polynesia*, an exhibition of Polynesian artifacts at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/07/arcelormittal_orbit_at_night.jpg)

The ArcelorMittal Orbit, London (via Wikipedia)

A slide [will be added](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/11770626/Plans-to-create-worlds-tallest-tunnel-slide-down-Olympic-Orbit-Tower-approved.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) to Anish Kapoor’s “ArcelorMittal Orbit” (2012) in London. The 180 meter-long slide will cost £5 (\~$7.80) a ride.

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery [became](http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-07-27/new-zealand-opens-its-first-contemporary-art-museum?ref=hyperallergic.com) New Zealand’s first contemporary art museum.

Philanthropist Judith Nelson [submitted](http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/city-of-sydney-set-to-approve-judith-neilsons-32-million-answer-to-mona-20150729-gimydx.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) a development application for a AUD 32 million (\~$23.4 million) gallery and performance space in Chippendale, Sydney.

A [statement](http://www.zaha-hadid.com/2015/07/28/new-national-stadium-tokyo-japan-statement-by-zaha-hadid-architects/?ref=hyperallergic.com) issued by Zaha Hadid Architects declared that the firm “remain\[s\] committed to a flexible and cost-effective new national stadium that would be ready to welcome the world to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.” Hadid’s design for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic stadium was [scrapped](http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/17/the-troubled-history-of-zaha-hadids-tokyo-olympic-stadium-project?ref=hyperallergic.com) by prime minister Shinzo Abe earlier this month.

A [record-breaking](http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBVt4zMB8zUEEB9D$AqAAAYtOC0/doc.html?t%5Fparams=&ref=hyperallergic.com) 6.3 million people visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s [project](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/arts/brooklyn-academy-of-music-announces-dollar25-million-project-to-link-3-spaces.html?%5Fr=1&ref=hyperallergic.com) to link its three locations in downtown Brooklyn will cost $25 million.

The Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize, an award for works reflecting “Brooklyn’s spirit,” was [established](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/nyregion/a-prize-for-the-books-that-capture-brooklyns-spirit-whatever-that-may-be.html?%5Fr=0&ref=hyperallergic.com).

The Milwaukee Art Museum [unveiled](http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/museum-unveiling-controversial-condom-portrait-of-pope-early-b99545542z1-319594051.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Niki Johnson’s controversial portrait of Pope Benedict XVI ahead of schedule. Entitled “Egg’s Benedict,” the work is comprised of 17,000 colored condoms.

A Roman-era roof tile with a paw print made by a cat was [discovered](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-33687439?utm%5Fcontent=buffer92861&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fsource=twitter.com&utm%5Fcampaign=buffer) in Gloucester.

## Transactions

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/07/n-6656-00-000002-pr.jpg)

Giovanni da Rimini, “Scenes from the Lives of the Virgin and other Saints” (1300-05), oil, tempera and gilding on wood, 54.4 x 36.5 cm. The National Gallery, London. Acquired with a generous donation from Ronald S. Lauder (© The National Gallery, London)

Ronald S. Lauder [donated](http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/28/rare-painting-secured-for-uk-in-unique-deal-with-cosmetics-heir?ref=hyperallergic.com) £4.9 million (\~$7.65 million) toward the National Gallery’s purchase of Giovanni da Rimini’s “Scenes from the Lives of the Virgin and other Saints” (1300–05) on condition that the work will be loaned to him during his lifetime.

Colorado [will invest](http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Colorado-to-sponsor-affordable-housing-for-artists-6408275.php?ref=hyperallergic.com) in a $50-million program aimed at finding affordable housing for artists in rural communities. It has yet to be confirmed how much money the state will invest in the scheme, which will be financed by both public and private funds.

Jeff Koons [purchased](http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/07/15/jeff-koons-expands-studio-space-on-w-52nd-street-with-12-7m-buy/?ref=hyperallergic.com) three adjacent properties on West 52nd Street in Manhattan for $23.7 million. It is widely assumed that the artist plans to relocate his studio to the Hell’s Kitchen site.

The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation [donated](http://whitney.org/file%5Fcolumns/0008/2539/cohen%5Ffoundation%5Frelease%5F7-30-15%5Ffinal.pdf?ref=hyperallergic.com) $2 million toward the Whitney Museum’s education programs.

## Transitions

Outgoing Brooklyn Museum director Arnold Lehman was [appointed](http://www.artmarketmonitor.com/2015/07/27/arnold-lehman-joins-phillips-as-senior-advisor/?ref=hyperallergic.com) senior advisor to Edward Dolman, the chairman and CEO of Phillips auction house.

Thelma Golden [joined](http://www.artnews.com/2015/07/31/thelma-golden-joins-board-of-directors-at-barack-obama-foundation/?ref=hyperallergic.com) the Barack Obama Foundation’s board of directors.

Randall Suffolk [will succeed](http://www.high.org/Press/Press-Releases/2015/July/Director-Announcement-Press-Release?ref=hyperallergic.com) Michael E. Shapiro as the director of the High Museum of Art.

Kevin W. Tucker will leave his position as curator of decorative arts and design at the Dallas Museum of Art to [become](http://glasstire.com/2015/07/26/dma-curator-to-become-founding-director-of-new-arts-and-crafts-museum/?ref=hyperallergic.com) the founding director of the Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement.

Alex Farquharson was [hired](http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/29/tate-britain-appoints-alex-farquharson-director?ref=hyperallergic.com) to be the new director of Tate Britain.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/07/tate_britain_1.jpg)

Tate Britain, London (© Tate Photography)

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation [appointed](http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/bams-karen-brooks-hopkins-steps-into-new-role/?%5Fr=0&ref=hyperallergic.com) Karen Brooks Hopkins to the newly created position of senior fellow in residence.

Linda Downs, the College Art Association’s executive director, will [retire](http://www.collegeart.org/news/2015/07/31/caa-executive-director-linda-downs-announces-retirement/?ref=hyperallergic.com) next year.

Susan Sayre Batton was [appointed](http://sjmusart.org/press-release/sjma-appoints-susan-sayre-batton-deputy-director-curatorial-affairs?ref=hyperallergic.com) deputy director of curatorial affairs at the San Jose Museum of Art.

Dennis Szakacs was [appointed](http://www.artnews.com/2015/07/28/new-museum-names-dennis-szakacs-associate-director-alludes-to-future-expansion/?ref=hyperallergic.com) associate director of the New Museum.

Curator Ben Heywood [will head](http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-curator-heywood-to-run-paul-allen-s-new-pivot-art-culture-in-seattle/318498821/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Pivot Art + Culture, a new non-profit established by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.

Zev Greenfield was [appointed](http://artforum.com/news/id=54085?ref=hyperallergic.com) executive director of Issue Project Room.

Kaela Hoskings was [appointed](http://www.phxart.org/index.php?r=pampressrelease/pressrelease/viewpressrelease&token=88&ref=hyperallergic.com) education director at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Chelsea gallery Wallspace will [permanently close](http://www.artnews.com/2015/07/29/chelsea-gallery-wallspace-will-close/?ref=hyperallergic.com) its doors on August 7\. Founded in 2003, the gallery’s final show is an exhibition of work by Deborah Remington.

Chelsea gallery Mixed Greens [will close](http://mixedgreensgallery.tumblr.com/post/125352336207/with-gratitude?ref=hyperallergic.com) permanently on December 22\. Its remaining exhibitions are the current group show [*Common Thread*](http://mixedgreens.com/exhibitions.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) and solo shows by Naomi Reis, Joan Linder, and Donna Dennis.

Animal New York [published](http://animalnewyork.com/2015/goodbye-to-animal-hello-to-ratter/?ref=hyperallergic.com) its last post on Tuesday.

Tulane University’s Newcomb Art Gallery [changed](https://newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2015/07/NAMPressRelease%5Ffinal.pdf?ref=hyperallergic.com) its name to the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University.

## Obituaries

[Sally Gross](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/arts/dance/sally-gross-choreographer-of-minimalist-dances-dies-at-81.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1933–2015), dancer and choreographer.

[Shigeko Kubota](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/arts/design/shigeko-kubota-a-creator-of-video-sculptures-dies-at-77.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1937–2015), artist. Wife of Nam June Paik.

[Yasuo Minagawa](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/arts/design/yasuo-minagawa-framer-who-gave-art-a-concrete-context-dies-at-69.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1945–2015), framer. Owner of Minagawa Art Lines.