> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Week in Review: Whitney Biennial Postponed to 2022; Guggenheim Union Protests at Reopening - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/week-in-review-15/ - Published: 2020-10-02T11:00:06.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T16:38:48.000Z - Description: Also, London’s Royal Academy of Arts is considering selling a Michelangelo relief to protect 150 jobs, and more. - Author: Jasmine Weber - Tags: News, Week in Review, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 09:08 (2019, 2020, part 3) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image00011.jpg) *Week in Review is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world.* [*Subscribe*](https://hyperallergic.com/newsletters?utm%5Fsource=page&utm%5Fcampaign=artmovements) *to receive these posts as a weekly newsletter.* The **Whitney Biennial** has been [postponed until 2022](https://hyperallergic.com/whitney-biennial-postponed-2022/) due to delays created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of the **Guggenheim Museum**‘s reopening, artist-activist groups **Artists for Workers** and the **Illuminator** [projected messages on the museum](https://hyperallergic.com/guggenheim-museum-projections/) in solidarity with the museum’s unionized workers and workers of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The following day, Guggenheim members were [welcomed to the museum’s opening with a **union protest**](https://hyperallergic.com/guggenheim-union-protest-members-reopening/). In a letter penned by **Chinatown Art Brigade,** artist-activists compel the **Museum of Chinese in America** to [reject a “community give-back”](https://hyperallergic.com/museum-of-chinese-in-america-chinatown-art-brigade/) proposed by New York City as part of its jail expansion plan. **Ai Weiwei** staged a [silent protest in London to support **Julian** **Assange**](https://hyperallergic.com/ai-weiwei-stages-silent-protest-in-support-of-wikileaks-founder/), founder of **Wikileaks**. Assange is facing 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse. The **Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center**, a Latinx art and culture organization in New York City’s Lower East Side, [dissolved its membership program](https://hyperallergic.com/clemente-soto-velez-center-membership-dissolved/) after a contentious vote. The **Laundromat Project** is [relocating to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn](https://hyperallergic.com/laundromat-project-moving-to-bed-stuy-brooklyn/) for its 15th anniversary. An Orwell-inspired billboard project, “[**Ministry of Truth: 1984/2020**](https://hyperallergic.com/ministry-of-truth-1984-2020-billboards/),” will present political works by 20 artists, including **Deborah Kass** and **Mel Chin**, on 20 billboards around New York City. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/img_4495-scaled-e1599836337841.jpg) Check out artist **Mira Schor**‘s [critical annotations of the ***New York Times***](https://hyperallergic.com/mira-schor-critically-annotates-the-new-york-timess-trump-coverage/). A researcher discovered early paintings by **Edward Hopper** are in fact [copied from a how-to arts magazine](https://hyperallergic.com/edward-hopper-early-paintings-discovery/). In order to protect 150 jobs, London’s **Royal Academy of Arts** is [considering selling **Michelangelo**‘s “Taddei Tondo.”](https://hyperallergic.com/london-royal-academy-michelangelo-taddei-tondo/) The Dutch institution formerly known as **Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art** has [announced its new name: **Kunstinstituut Melly**](https://wp.me/p837MR-2tXC?ref=hyperallergic.com). The change follows years of debate over the museum’s colonial namesake. ## Awards & Accolades **David Adjaye** was awarded the **Royal Institute of British Architects** (RIBA) gold medal. | [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/sep/30/david-adjaye-riba-royal-gold-medal?ref=hyperallergic.com) The inaugural **Marian MacDowell Arts Advocacy Award** will be awarded to **ARRAY**, **Ava DuVernay**‘s media company and arts collective. | [McDowell News](https://mcdowellnews.com/news/national/filmmaker-ava-duvernay-her-company-honored-by-macdowell/article%5F077d3fff-2331-5e1a-ba08-50c0a85e91bf.html?mode=comments&ref=hyperallergic.com) **Vincent Namatjira** was named the recipient of the **Archibald Prize**. | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54290183?ref=hyperallergic.com) As part of the [**Helen Frankenthaler Foundation**’s $5 million emergency relief program](https://hyperallergic.com/helen-frankenthaler-foundation-awards-1-5-million-to-culture-orgs/), seven small and mid-sized museums will receive $50,000 emergency relief grants, and six additional organizations will get awards between $60,000 and $500,000 for equity and access initiatives. ## Transitions **Peter Eleey** will step down as Chief Curator at **MoMA PS1**. | [*ARTnews*](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/peter-eleey-steps-down-moma-ps1-1234572137/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **James P. Folsom** will retire as director of the botanical gardens at the **Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens**. **Tim Griffin** will step down as director and chief curator of the **Kitchen**. **Ebony L. Haynes** was appointed director of a soon-to-open outpost of **David Zwirner Gallery** with an all-Black staff. | [*New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/27/arts/design/zwirner-haynes-black-gallery.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Cyrée Jarelle Johnson** was named the **Brooklyn Public Library**’s inaugural Poet-in-Residence. **Tyler Mitchell** is now represented by **Jack Shainman gallery**. | [Artsy](https://www.artsy.net/news/artsy-editorial-tyler-mitchell-joined-jack-shainmans-artist-roster?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Kevin Young** was named director of the **Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture**. | [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918658839/kevin-young-named-director-of-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-cu?ref=hyperallergic.com) ## Obituaries Robert Bechtle (1932–2020), photorealist painter | [*Datebook*](https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/robert-bechtle-bay-area-photorealist-who-often-depicted-common-cars-dies-at-88?ref=hyperallergic.com) Christiane Eda-Pierre (1932–2020), soprano opera star | [*New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/obituaries/christiane-eda-pierre-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Verne Edquist (1931–2020), famed piano tuner| [*New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/arts/music/verne-edquist-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Michael Lonsdal (1931–2020), actor known for his role as a Bond villain | [*Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/22/michael-lonsdale-obituary?ref=hyperallergic.com) Sam McBratney (1943–2020), children’s author | [*Publisher’s Weekly*](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/84401-obituary-sam-mcbratney.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Helen Reddy (1941–2020), feminist musician | [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/helen-reddy-whose-i-am-woman-became-a-feminist-anthem-dies-at-78/2020/09/30/57465c1e-0320-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a%5Fstory.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)