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02/13/2024

Construction Limits Access to Anish Kapoor’s Chicago ‘Bean’ Until 2024

Anish Kapoor's iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately known as "the Bean," will be inaccessible to fans and visitors until spring 2024 due to construction at Millennium Park in Chicago. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the start of construction on Grainger Plaza, limiting public access to Cloud Gate during this period.

The maintenance work by the City of Chicago aims to replace pavers, make repairs, and upgrade accessibility features on the plaza to enhance the appearance and visitor experience of the nearly 20-year-old park, which is recognized as the top attraction in the Midwest.

Cloud Gate, unveiled in 2006, stands at 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long, making it one of the world's largest public art installations. The sculpture, constructed from 168 stainless steel plates welded together and polished to a mirror finish, has become immensely popular for selfies and photography.

Anish Kapoor has expressed mixed feelings about the sculpture's popularity, acknowledging its mysterious appeal due to its seamless design. Despite its popularity, Cloud Gate has been at the center of controversies, including accusations of plagiarism against the Chinese city of Karamay in 2015 and a copyright infringement lawsuit against the National Rifle Association of America for unauthorized use of the sculpture's image in videos.

While Cloud Gate remains inaccessible for now, Kapoor unveiled a smaller version of the sculpture earlier this year at the base of a luxury residential tower in Manhattan, following years of delays.

02/13/2024

Sale of Calder Sculpture Worth Millions of Dollars Sets Off Legal Battle

The legal battle surrounding the sale of an Alexander Calder sculpture involves conflicting claims between art adviser Lea Lee, French dealer Elisabeth Royer-Grimblat, and New York dealer Edward Tyler Nahem. Lee filed a lawsuit in January alleging that the transaction was illegal, while Nahem has filed a lawsuit against Lee, accusing her of stalking him and interfering with his business.

The disagreement centers on how Nahem obtained the Calder sculpture, known by different titles in various documents. Lee, the granddaughter of architect Oscar Nitzschké, claims that Royer-Grimblat removed the artwork from her mother's estate without her knowledge. She alleges that when she raised concerns about the work, Royer-Grimblat and Lee's sisters initiated a campaign to damage her professional reputation.

Royer-Grimblat denies these allegations, providing a receipt dated before Lee's mother's death, indicating that she purchased the work. Nahem's lawsuit against Lee alleges that she stalked him at art fairs and auctions and filed a criminal complaint against him in France to prevent him from entering the country.

The legal dispute remains ongoing, with Lee appealing a judge's decision to dismiss her initial lawsuit. Nahem's lawsuit against Lee is also in progress, although the specific details of the complaint have not been disclosed publicly. Both Lee and Nahem declined to comment on the matter.

02/13/2024

‘Blue Beetle’ Ad on the Steps of Philadelphia Museum Rankles Locals

A controversial move has stirred up some heated discussion in Philadelphia as a large advertisement for the superhero movie Blue Beetle now graces the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, famously known for its association with the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. The ad, composed of large vinyl stickers, covers all 72 steps that Rocky famously climbed in the 1976 film Rocky.

The decision to install the ad, approved by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation department, has drawn criticism from many, including a columnist from the Philadelphia Inquirer, who deemed it an eyesore. While the ad is scheduled to be up for only seven days, its presence has sparked debate about the use of public spaces for commercial purposes.

Locals shared their opinions with CBS News, with one visitor from Dallas expressing disapproval, calling the ad "tacky" for being placed on such a prestigious and historic site. On the other hand, some, like Italian tourist Diletta Dinalle, didn't mind the ad, finding it colorful and emotionally engaging.

The decision to allow the ad was made by the city of Philadelphia, as it owns the Rocky Steps and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum stated that while they appreciate using the stairs for promotional purposes, decisions about their use ultimately rest with the city. The installation will generate $28,000 for the city over the seven-day period.

This isn't the first time Philadelphia's public areas have been used for corporate advertisements, prompting concerns about maintaining spaces free from commercial influence. Philadelphia-based art blogger Conrad Benner questioned whether public spaces should be subject to advertising, criticizing the move as uninspired fundraising by the city.

The fate of the revenue generated from the ad remains uncertain, but Benner highlighted the significant return on investment for the studio behind Blue Beetle, suggesting that the city's approach may lack creativity in fundraising efforts.

02/13/2024

Dealer Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn Departs LGDR After Two Years, Will Reopen Salon 94

Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, one of the founders of the New York consortium LDGR, has decided to leave the group and reopen her former gallery, Salon 94. Despite her departure, the remaining trio—Dominique Lévy, Brett Gorvy, and Amalia Dayan—intends to continue working together. Greenberg Rohatyn will reclaim Salon 94's original location at 3 East 89th Street, while LDGR, now known as Lévy Gorvy Dayan, will continue operating out of its headquarters on 64th Street. This development follows the dissolution of LDGR, a consortium formed in 2021, which aimed to be more than a traditional gallery by providing advisory services and facilitating sales to auction houses. The founders, each with different focuses and backgrounds, initially sought to create a collaborative entity capable of various functions within the art world. However, differences among the founders, particularly in taste and commitments, led to the dissolution. The trio plans to maintain their collaboration in other ways, with Greenberg Rohatyn continuing her secondary market business alongside Dayan. Despite the challenges faced by LDGR, the art market has reportedly rebounded, with gallery sales up 7 percent year-on-year, reaching pre-pandemic levels. The remaining founders will work together while Greenberg Rohatyn reopens Salon 94, with Lévy Gorvy Dayan set to open a survey of Pierre Soulages in September.

02/13/2024

Speed Art Museum Plans Sculpture Park, Photographer Roland Freeman Dies at 87, and More: Morning Links for August 18, 2023

Renowned photographer Roland F. Freeman, known for his extensive documentation of Black culture in the United States, has passed away at the age of 87. Freeman's work focused on capturing the lives and contributions of individuals such as quilt makers, musicians, vendors, and woodworkers. He was particularly interested in traditional folklife practices, and his photographs often depicted scenes reminiscent of earlier times in the American South.

In another development, New York dealer Edward Tyler Nahem has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration that his gallery owns an $8.7 million Alexander Calder mobile. The legal dispute arose from ownership claims by photographer Lea Lee, the daughter of the Calder's previous owner. Lee alleges that her sisters sold the artwork to a French dealer without their mother's permission. Nahem asserts ownership and accuses Lee of harassment.

In the art world, the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, is planning to open a three-acre sculpture park named Speed Outdoors in 2025. The park, part of a $22 million capital campaign, will feature works by artists such as Mark Handforth and Sol LeWitt. Construction work in Chicago's plaza housing Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" (the bean) will limit access until 2024.

Photographer Tria Giovan's images capturing everyday life on Manhattan's Lower East Side between 1984 and 1990 are the subject of a new book and exhibition in England. Additionally, a Hong Kong mansion with 11 bedrooms and eight bathrooms is on the market for HK$2.2 billion (approximately US$281.1 million), potentially becoming one of the city's priciest homes.

On a lighter note, art publicist Kaitlin Phillips got married at New York City Hall, with artist Sam McKinniss serving as the witness. There are also reports that McKinniss is likely joining the roster of David Kordansky gallery.

In the automotive world, a red 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is set to go up for auction at RM Sotheby's in New York, with an estimated value above $60 million. The seller purchased the car in 1985 for $500,000, and it has since become one of the most valuable automobiles in the world.

02/13/2024

The United States is pursuing the forfeiture of artworks and diamonds linked to an indicted dealer with alleged connections to Hezbollah. The dealer is facing legal action due to suspected ties to the designated terrorist organization. The U.S. government is seeking to seize valuable assets, including art pieces and diamonds, as part of the ongoing efforts to disrupt any illicit activities associated with the accused individual and to prevent the potential funding of illegal activities.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of additional assets, including artworks, diamonds, and a bank account with a balance exceeding $2 million, in the case against art collector Nazem Said Ahmad. The filing includes items owned by companies mentioned in the nine-count indictment against Ahmad, who is accused of conspiring to defraud the United States and other governments, evading customs laws, and money laundering for the benefit of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based terrorist group.

The listed items, subject to forfeiture if Ahmad is convicted, encompass artworks by various artists, including Dan McCarthy, Alex Brewer (Hense), Mark Whalen, and Joankim Ojanen, as well as a 2.4-carat "green diamond cushion modified brilliant cut ring" and 34 other diamonds.

Ahmad, previously sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2019, is accused of serving as a major financial donor to Hezbollah through money laundering activities. The indictment alleges that he and his associates obtained artwork worth over $1.2 million from the U.S. after being sanctioned. The total value of the diamonds allegedly passing through Ahmad's businesses after sanctions, graded at approximately 1,546 carats, is claimed to be worth more than $91 million.

The Bill of Particulars, filed on August 16, follows previous efforts by the U.S. government to seek the forfeiture of more than 450 diamonds and over 100 pieces of artwork in the ongoing case.

The indictment did not identify specific artists and galleries involved, using sales amounts and locations like "Chicago Art Gallery-1." However, the filing mentions that three works posted on Ahmad's Instagram account were identified as pieces by Nicasio Fernandez and Luke Agada. Ahmad's Instagram account, where he frequently shared images related to the art world, is no longer online.

Using Google reverse image search on artworks attached to the indictment, several pieces appear to be by artists David Salle, Terron Cooper Sorrells, Stickmonger, and UFO907. The indictment suggests these works were acquired or paid for through various means to obscure their connection to Ahmad.

02/13/2024

Get ready for a royal treat! Prince's iconic album, "Purple Rain," is set to make its way to the stage in a dazzling adaptation. Fans can look forward to experiencing the magic of this legendary musical journey in a whole new theatrical production. Get ready to immerse yourself in the purple reign!

Exciting news for fans of Prince's iconic "Purple Rain"! A stage adaptation of the legendary film is currently in development, with a world premiere on the horizon. The adaptation will feature Prince's well-known score and a book penned by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, known for his work on Broadway's "Appropriate." The talented Lileana Blain-Cruz, director of "Skin of Our Teeth" on Broadway, will be taking the helm.

Based on the original screenplay of "Purple Rain" by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn, the stage production is expected to bring a fresh theatrical perspective to the beloved story. Additional details about the premiere's timing and location will be revealed later. Orin Wolf, the producer behind "A Band’s Visit," is set to produce this exciting venture.

"Purple Rain," released in 1984, showcased Prince as The Kid, an emerging rock musician navigating challenges in Minneapolis. The film's soundtrack, featuring hits like "When Doves Cry," "Let’s Go Crazy," and "I Would Die 4 U," sold over 25 million units worldwide. The movie earned nearly $100 million globally and won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

L. Londell McMillan, chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music, expressed their excitement, stating, "We can’t think of a more fitting tribute than to honor Prince and the Purple Rain legacy with this stage adaptation of the beloved story." They are looking forward to introducing a new generation to "Purple Rain" and allowing original fans to experience its power once again, this time live on stage.

02/13/2024

Jonathan Majors expressed his shock at the guilty verdict and is pushing back against the idea of culpability. The actor, known for his roles in various films and TV shows, shared his surprise at the outcome, suggesting that it was unexpected. Majors is now challenging the notion of responsibility or blame in the situation.

In his first interview since being found guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment in an incident involving his former partner Grace Jabbari, actor Jonathan Majors expressed shock at the verdict and pushed back against his own culpability. Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America, Majors stated he was surprised by the verdict, which carries a potential one-year jail sentence, and questioned his responsibility for Jabbari's injuries.

During the interview, Majors initially claimed uncertainty about how Jabbari sustained her injuries. When pressed, he admitted he shouldn't have been in the car or the relationship, emphasizing that his presence initiated the incident. However, he avoided directly acknowledging responsibility for her injuries.

The charges stem from a March 25, 2023 incident when Majors and Jabbari were in a car. Jabbari testified about a text on Majors' phone, leading to a physical altercation. Majors was found guilty of reckless assault and harassment after a two-week trial in December.

Majors denied being physically abusive in any relationship, attributing his texts expressing suicidal thoughts as part of emotional abuse evidence. He also mentioned his own injuries during the car incident, pointing out scratches on his neck. Majors teared up during the interview, expressing shock and fear at the verdict, and highlighted the racial factor, noting he's a Black man and Jabbari is a white woman.

Regarding an audio recording played in court where he compared himself to great men and urged Jabbari to emulate figures like Michelle Obama and Coretta Scott King, Majors explained it was an analogy about aspirations.

Despite the upcoming February 6 sentencing, Majors decided to give the interview, citing the need to share his side of the story and take responsibility. Legal experts suggest such a public statement between conviction and sentencing is unusual and could potentially impact the judge's decision. The most serious charge could lead to a one-year jail term, but appeals are anticipated.

Legal experts, such as Kate Mangels, a partner at Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP, suggest that, from a legal perspective, it would be wiser for Jonathan Majors to wait until after sentencing to give a public statement. However, Majors might be considering other factors like public relations and future career opportunities.

Marvel Studios dropped Majors from its upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films shortly after the guilty verdict. The placement of the interview on ABC News, owned by Disney, which severed ties with Majors, is considered highly unusual.

During the interview, Majors addressed the question of whether he believes he'll work in Hollywood again, expressing optimism and saying, “Yeah. I do. I pray I do.” An ad for "Creed III," in which Majors starred alongside Michael B. Jordan, played during a commercial break ahead of the interview, though Majors was not shown in the ad.

The initial interview aired on Good Morning America, with additional segments planned for GMA3 and an extended version on ABC News Live program Prime. Furthermore, IMPACT x Nightline is set to feature a half-hour special with unaired segments on January 11, exclusively available on Hulu.

02/13/2024

Big news from the New York Post's Page Six – they're diving into the world of video production! The gossip and entertainment section is set to launch its very own video studio, bringing you exclusive content straight from the source. Get ready for a whole new dimension of news and entertainment!

The legendary gossip column, Page Six, from the New York Post is stepping up its game with the launch of a brand-new studio in New York City. This expansion beyond the traditional tabloid format will feature daily video segments covering all things celebrity, entertainment, and pop culture. The studio, set to open in early January, will be equipped with standing sets and shooting facilities, signaling Page Six's move into the digital, podcasting, TV, video, and social media realms.

A familiar face, media personality Astra, currently gracing the airwaves on iHeartMedia’s 103.5 KTU The Beat of New York, is set to anchor the studio located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, the headquarters of the parent company News Corp. All the juicy video content produced will be available on Page Six's site, YouTube, and its various social media platforms.

This move follows the cancellation of Page Six TV, a TV extension of the gossip column, in 2019 after two seasons. The latest endeavor will focus on creating video segments covering celebrity entertainment news, fashion highlights, awards show and red carpet coverage, along with features on celebrity real estate, beauty, and fashion advice. Page Six aims to be a go-to destination for celebrity press junkets and plans to deliver even more engaging content to its dedicated audience.

Sean Giancola, CEO and publisher of the New York Post, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, “We’ve grown from a daily print must-read to a multi-platform source for celebrity exclusives and breaking news. Expanding our video slate is a natural next step in our evolution. We’re looking forward to the Page Six Video Studio becoming a regular stop on celebrity press junkets, and we’re excited to bring our loyal audience even more engaging content.” Get ready for a new era of celebrity news straight from the heart of NYC!