November 28, 2014: Moscow Artists’ Spaces Seized, The Frick Acquires Murillo Self-Portrait, and a New Art Fair in Seattle
Opening
In London … “Tim Head: Fictions” opens at Parafin; “Jockum Nordström: For the insects and the hounds” opens at David Zwirner; “Go Stand Next to the Mountain” opens at Hales Gallery; “Got Tortilla with Butter on Phone. Think it’s the End?” opens at Rod Barton.
Today’s Notable News
The Frick Collection has acquired a rare self-portrait (circa 1650) by Spanish master Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The painting was originally acquired in 1904 by Henry Clay Frick, and then passed down to his son, who kept it in his private collection until his death in 2007; his widow, who has had the painting since his death, recently decided to donate it to the museum, where it will be on view in the South Hall. (via The New York Times)
The Moscow Artists Union is petitioning the city’s mayor to stop the seizure of their subsidized spaces. In 2000, then-mayor Yuri Luzhkov transferred the properties to artists to be used for up to 25 years, free of charge, but since September, as a result of lawsuits regarding the Department of City Property’s refusal to transfer ownership to artist organizations, the Department has been cancelling agreements and sealing up properties. (via The Art Newspaper)
The Kunstmuseum Bern, the museum that accepted the controversial Gurlitt collection earlier this week, has released a preliminary list of the works included in the collection. Works dating back to as early as the 15th and 16th centuries are interspersed with others by Cézanne, Pissarro, Gauguin, Degas, Monet, Chagall, Munch, and many other big names. (via The LA Times)
A new art fair will launch in Seattle this summer, running July 30th to August 3nd at the CenturyLink Field Event Center. The fair will bring together around 40 galleries, with a specific focus on highlighting art from the Pacific Rim. There will also be site-specific installations around the city. (via The New York Times)
Best of Instagram
Via @eyesthornton: “Beauty in the service of politics. @aiww one of the key characters in #33Artistsin3Acts”
Good Reads
“Marrakech is set to become photography’s global HQ—so why aren’t locals happy?” (via The Guardian)
Artist of the Day
Romantic painter and poet William Blake was born on this day in 1757. Aside from writing some of the most highly regarded poetry in the English language, Blake created engravings, drawings, watercolors, and paintings in tempera. As a deeply religious man, Blake created many artistic works featuring spiritual subjects and themes.
Want to catch up with the rest of this week’s news? Review past Daily Digests here.
