August 5, 2014: Britain Marks WWI Centenary with Light Installation, 49ers Unveil Art Collection at Levi’s Stadium, and George Tooker’s Birthday
Notable News
A column of light illuminated the sky in London last night to commemorate the centenary of Britain’s entry into the First World War. The memorial, titled Spectra, was created by the Paris-Based, Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda. (via The Art Newspaper)
The Frank Gehry-designed Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington D.C. has been criticized by Members of the House Committee on Natural Resources for not meeting design principles. (via L.A. Times)
The San Francisco 49ers unveiled its art collection at Levi’s Stadium. The collection includes 200 paintings, drawings, and sculptures and 500 photographs that detail the history of the team and the landscape of Northern California. (via The Sacramento Bee)
Good Reads
“‘Yes’ Vote for Scottish Independence Could Create Cultural Divide”: An article about the concern that the UK trusts and foundations funding museums and galleries could withdraw donations if Scotland earns its independence. (via The Art Newspaper)
“Art Everywhere: Coming to a billboard or subway platform near you”: A look at the “Art Everywhere” collaboration between five U.S. museums and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. (via L.A. Times)
“Scenes From a Contemporary Arab World”: Guernica interviews curator and artistic director Massimiliano Gioni about the New Museum’s latest exhibition, “Here and Elsewhere.”
Best of Instagram
Pop artist Kenny Scharf instagrammed a photo with the caption “Peter & Ali got Karbombz! In the hamptons.”—picturing a car he painted this past weekend at Montauk’s Surf Lodge.
Artist of the Day
Born on August 5, 1920, George Tooker was a figure painter closely associated with Magical Realism. His paintings explored ideas of isolation, detachment, and frustration with government power, along with religious motifs and mythological symbols. Tooker adopted his primary medium, egg tempera, as a result of his studies under Social Realist painters Reginald Marsh and Kenneth Hays Miller. In 2007, Tooker received the National Medal of Arts.
