China has ordered a sweeping, nationwide audit of its state-run museums after a scandal at one of its top institutions revealed that national treasures had quietly slipped into the private market, according to Hong Kong newspaper South Morning China Post. - ARTnews
New York is missing out on the ideas of designers who could find surprising paths through an obstacle course of conventions, whose experience with the constraints and cultures of other continents might loosen New York’s rigid set of habits. - New York Magazine
The museums’ management acknowledged an attack earlier this year, but denied any major security breach or theft of data. The statement came after Corriere della Sera reported that hackers had infiltrated the galleries’ network, taken control of the photographic server, and sent a ransom demand to the director’s personal phone. - Reuters (Yahoo!)
The 185-acre Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham, completed in 2023 and known for its intricate carvings in white stone, has for years faced allegations of visa fraud and maltreatment of its construction workers and artisans. Now some of those workers says they’ve developed bronchitis and silicosis, with two having died. - The Guardian
It’s hard to imagine a more finely tuned machine than the Trump Presidential Library, a glass-walled Miami tower whose video renderings were released by the president’s son Eric on Monday night. The project has a balance sheet that would make a developer blush. - The Atlantic
Despite several previous conservation campaigns, a carefully executed programme of works targeting its roofing, glazing systems, and masonry envelope was necessary. - Dezeen
“How and why is this incident different from the Louvre theft, which targeted the royal jewels? How will investigations play out? Perhaps most importantly, what are the chances of recovering these priceless paintings? We put these questions to the world’s top museum security and art theft experts. Here’s what we found out.” - Artnet
A gang of robbers used explosives to break into the Drents Museum in the northern Netherlands in January of last year. They smashed display cases and made off with the 5th-century BC golden Helmet of Coțofenești and three gold bracelets. Announcement of their recovery was made by star art detective Arthur Brand. - CBS News
News of the upcoming set, part of the company’s Architecture series, was leaked by a long-time leaker known as Chief Wiggum, whose predictions have proven true in the past. - Dezeen
There is one recent development upon which we really should all agree — erecting a gold statue of President Trump in the middle of his proposed presidential library is a No Good, Very Bad Idea. - Los Angeles Times
The items stolen are clearly valuable. But, as an expert in the governance of criminal markets, I can tell you acquiring the goods is only the first step. Turning this loot into cash is fraught with risk. - The Conversation
Patricia Norby had been hired to great fanfare, as both the first person to hold the role at the Met and the first Native American to be hired as a curator by the institution. Her appointment was seen as both a watershed and as a response to criticism from various Native American tribes. - ARTnews
The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg paid $293,240 for his 13-panel, four-canvas, 65’x100’ set for Bacchanale, which he called his first “paranoiac-critical ballet” and which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1939. Dalí also designed costumes and wrote the scenario for the work; choreography was by Léonide Massine. - Artnet
There are now three criteria for an institution to secure—and retain—government subsidies. It must welcome a minimum of 10,000 annual visitors; have a minimum annual income of 4m kroner ($600,000) (3m kroner on islands with less than 10,000 inhabitants); and publish at least one peer-reviewed research paper every three years. - The Art Newspaper
This toilet, spray-painted gold and set on a faux-marble pedestal, is the latest in a series of protest artworks and installations taking aim at President Donald Trump and his administration. A plaque on each side of the structure reads: a Throne Fit for a King. - Washington Post
