The first rule of social networking is that it’s very hard to make things private. It’s a decent bet that almost everything you post online is in some way accessible by people you don’t necessarily want to see it. This leads us the related first rule of art vandalism: if you did it, don’t claim it on YouTube or post about it on your Facebook page — unless you want to get charged.
News
Christo’s Colorado Project Faces “Serious Traffic Review”
Just a few months after the exhibition date of Christo’s “Over the River” project was pushed back by a year, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials have announced that the work will be extensively examined for its potential impact on traffic on Highway 50, the central road that runs through Bighorn Sheep Canyon, the site of the installation.
Ai Weiwei’s Bail Conditions Lifted But He Could Face Bigamy and Pornography Charges
A year ago Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was slapped with bail conditions — after an 81-day detention by Chinese authorities — the prominent activist and artist has been freed from those shackles, but there’s no rejoicing because of what may come next.
The Evolving and Bizarre Story of Houston’s Vandalized Picasso
Poor Picasso. His “Femme au fauteuil rouge (Woman in a Red Armchair)” (1929) was vandalized last week at Houston’s Menil Collection and the artist claiming responsibility for the action, Uriel Llanderos, has essentially been bragging about his bravado on his rather sparse Facebook page. But the story doesn’t stop there.
Ai Weiwei Blocked From Court, His Legal Consultant Goes Temporarily Missing
Today, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was harassed by police in an attempt to block him from attending his scheduled court appearance at the Beijing tax bureau.
Picasso: The Art Vandal’s Choice
Picasso’s 1929 painting “Conquista La Bestia” (“Conquer the Beast”) was vandalized last week at Houston’s Menil Collection by a man with a can of spray paint. According to the city’s Local 2 news, he stenciled the image of a bullfighter killing a bull with the word “conquista” underneath.
As Northside Rolls In, Williamsburg Artists Face Eviction
Those headed to Northside Art this weekend should make sure to visit the handful of open studios at 338 Berry Street, because those spaces won’t be studios for much longer. About six weeks ago, the 10 tenants still residing in live-and-work studios in the building lost their court battle with their landlord, Mona Gora-Friedman. The tenants are being evicted at the end of October, at which time Gora-Friedman will renovate the building and turn it into — sigh, what else? — luxury condos.
Will Thomas Kinkade’s Museum Be Founded Based on a Scratchy Note?
Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus, the American republic empire republic was founded on the US Constitution, hell, even Apple had a “founding document” but the legacy of the “Painter of Light” Thomas Kinkade may be decided by two scratchy letters written late last year to his lover in a script that makes you wonder if he was drunk, drugged or ejaculating at the time.
Artists Remember Stay High 149, Graffiti Innovator and Artist
Known as a pioneering figure in graffiti writing with his memorable “Smoker” tag, a haloed stick figure cartoon, taken from 1960s TV show “The Saint,” smoking a joint, Wayne Roberts, or Stay High 149, passed away on Monday.
Vincent Gallo Stands Up the Whitney Biennial
Like a sad, jilted date, this year’s recently closed Whitney Biennial was left without director, actor, musician and all-around creepster Vincent Gallo’s promised film, entitled ironically Promises Written in Water. And apparently, Gallo didn’t even call.
“The Lightning Field” Getting First Ever Conservation Treatment
Today, DIA disseminated the news that during spring 2013 Walter De Maria’s seminal “The Lightning Field” (1977), one of the foundation’s earliest commissions, will be receiving its first major preservation treatment in the artwork’s history.
Deadbeat Collectors Without Borders
LOS ANGELES —Some people aren’t paying their art bills …