ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

Today’s AJ Highlights

Good morning: Why is there a story about antitrust and attempts to break up Big Tech companies in AJ today? Because these leviathans have gotten so big and so powerful that they determine what culture gets seen and shared and by whom. And they have far too much power.

  • First Female Director Appointed at the Louvre in 230 Years Laurence des Cars has made history as the first woman to be appointed director of the Louvre in its 230-year history. Read more in Le Monde.
  • Ancient Greek Shipwreck Yields New Artifacts in the Aegean Archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of new artifacts from an ancient Greek shipwreck in the Aegean Sea, including bronze statues and ceramics, providing new insights into ancient Mediterranean trade routes. Read more in National Geographic.
  • China Overtakes the US in Box Office Revenue For the first time in history, China’s annual box office revenue has surpassed that of the United States, signaling a significant shift in the global entertainment industry. Read more in Variety.
  • Europe’s Top Art Collectors Face Backlash Over Climate Activism Some of Europe’s leading art collectors are under fire for their support of climate activism while continuing to profit from industries tied to fossil fuels. This growing controversy highlights the tension between art patronage and environmental responsibility. Read more in The Art Newspaper.
  • Controversy Surrounds New AI-Powered Art Critic A new AI-powered platform designed to critique art has sparked debates about the role of artificial intelligence in the art world. Read more in Wired.

As usual – the rest of the stories we collected are below. Share this newsletter with someone who might be interested. Have a great weekend.

Doug

Latest Stories

What Happens When Artists Lose Their Archives

“It was the loss of authorship, sequencing, and context. Works that were never meant to exist independently were broken apart and reintroduced to the world as aesthetic fragments. My archive had become modular in the most violent sense. Not by choice, but by necessity and market indifference.” - Hyperallergic

The Ice Dancers With Possibly The Olympics’ Biggest Challenge

“The most decorated ice dance pair in U.S. figure skating history wants more than a team medal in Milan — they want the ice dance gold medal. ... But while they did so much heavy lifting for their team, their competition got extra rest.” - USA Today

The Comic Artists Responding To The Moment With Art

One comic “states: ‘Someday you’ll know that there were so many people thinking and worrying about you even though you don’t know us.’ Other artworks include cartoons of Liam in the bunny hat himself — riding a dragon, or surrounded by a group of bunnies in the snow.” ...

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Director of Artistic Operations

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