As part of the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, 31 important works of art have been acquired for the nation. Worth more than £4.2m, the list includes 10 pieces by Barbara Hepworth and paintings by Turner and Kandinsky.
This wonderful news for art lovers is reported by Graham Spicer on the excellent 24 Hour Museum site.
Read all about it here
Art by Hepworth here
Art by Kandinski here
Art by Turner here
In today’s Guardian, Adrian Searle takes no prisoners in his review of the Tate Triennial, proclaiming it to be “an exhibition full of lifeless art.”
His first target is curator Beatrix Ruf, director of the Kunsthalle Zurich, describing her introductory essay, and other contributions to the catalogue, as “masterpieces of institutional guff.” He goes on to say “the catalogue is one of the most patronising and smug collections of redundant and frequently meaningless prose it has been my misfortune to read in a long time.”
The art itself gets a similar rough ride and, with few exceptions, falls spectacularly under his scathing pen. A review, from the heart I thought, where common sense, so often a casualty in the modern art world, gets tough in a sea of bullshit.
A must read piece I think - so read it here
Read the Tate’s official line here
The Telegraph runs an article today on pioneers of modernism, Josef Albers and László Moholy-Nagy, to coincide with the Tate Modern’s exhibition opening on 9 March.
Mark Hudson’s excellent piece “When the sky was the limit” tells the tale of the influence of the Bauhaus on the development of the city of Chicago in the early 20th century and the artists’ respective roles in the USA during this period.
Discussing Moholy-Nagy’s life and work, Hudson recounts the story of how the artist moved from one discipline to another during his career and his legacy that pervades the cityscape of this major American city.
Definitely worth a look - read it here
Tate information here
Moholy-Nagy pictures here
Josef Albers pictures here
One of my favourite sculpture centres, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP), is to get a new neighbour on Wakefield’s waterfront. The Hepworth Wakefield, named after the sculptress Dame Barbara Hepworth, is to be a £25m gallery and centre for creative arts.
With £4.9m worth of grants already secured from the Arts Council England Capital programme and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the gallery is being designed by David Chipperfield and is set to open in 2008.
The gallery is part of a major redevelopment of the Calder and Hebble waterfront which includes offices and residential facilities reports the Yorkshire Today website.
Read the story here
YSP website here
Pictures from the very wonderful YSP here
Hepworth’s work here
In an interview with Sean O’Hagan in today’s Observer, Damien Hirst reveals all - his first piece of art, his Yorkshire background, his attitude to art and money - and his new show in Mexico.
Dominated by human skulls and dead sheep, Hirst’s show, The Death of God, is bound to add to the current furore about religion and what is acceptable. It was Gilbert and George’s current White Cube exhibition, Sonofagod and Chris Ofili’s The Holy Virgin Mary that dominated the news pages these last two weeks - and their comparisons with the Muslim outrage at cartoons of the Prophet.
I’m guessing Hirst’s new show will only add fuel to the already burning fire as his pieces include praying and crucified sheep carcasses. “‘I don’t believe in God,’ he says, ‘but it’s a phenomenal idea - the afterlife, the spirit. I’m just reformulating the core questions Gauguin asked, that every artist asks - where do we come from, where are we going, what’s it all about, Alfie?’
Make your own mind up here
News in today’s Guardian that the National Gallery is to hold a retrospective exhibition of 40 works by Paul Cézanne, once dubbed the father of modern art.
Rejected in his day by the French art establishment, Cézanne never enjoyed the popularity and recognition he deserved. However, he was a major influence on many modern artists, Matisse, Picasso, Gauguin, Braque, Kandinsky and Mondrian
Described as “terribly exciting” by Anne Robbins of the National Gallery, the exhibition will open in October.
Read Mark Brown’s piece here
Pictures here
In an exhibition to be held at the Serpentine Gallery later this year, Damien Hirst is to show some of his personal collection of artworks.
Curated by the artist himself and featuring works by Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin, Angus Fairhurst and Banksy, the exhibition will be a precursor to the permanent exhibition at Hirst’s country house in Gloucestershire.
Branded under the name Murderme, the exact artworks are not known yet but could include pieces by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Picasso.
Read Charlotte Higgins piece here
Hirst images here
Art worth millions of pounds has been stolen from the home of multi-millionaire property tycoon Harry Hyams. The haul could include works by Picasso, Rubens and Titian says David Ward in today’s Guardian.
A police spokesman said, “We are investigating a high-value burglary. Items of substantial value have been taken. No one was hurt in the break-in. It is one of the biggest burglaries round here for years.”
It is estimated that between £20m and £30m worth of property was stolen.
Read the story here