"Nowadays, we often imagine ancient Mesoamerican art and architecture as colorless ... But just as with Greek and Roman statues, these artifacts were once aglow with bright colors. And not just any bright colors, but carefully chosen palettes and combinations that reflected the social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs of their creators." - Artnet
As anger grows over interference by the right-wing government's minister of culture, former TV host Martina Šimkovičová, five top curators have resigned following an "intimidating" meeting with the museum's newly-appointed acting director. Another 177 employees have threatened to resign in January. - Euronews
We plan to go on strike beginning this Friday, November 29, unless SAM’s Board of Trustees changes course and offers a contract that allows its workers to survive in Seattle. For two years, the Board has refused outright to meet with us, so now we take the argument directly to them. - Hyperallergic
"Silverpoint Holdings, the current owners, are now offering the bronze cast for sale through Art Encounter, a Las Vegas gallery led by father-son duo Rod Maly and Brett Maly, for a price of $100 million — which includes the one-of-a-kind mold used to make it." - Artnet
The leader of the group Declare Emergency, Donald Zepeda, got 24 months for destruction of government property, while group member Jackson Green got 18 months. They must also pay more than $58,000 in restitution. - Artnet
My guess is that there are thousands of A.I. accounts, commenting on one another to drum up attention. When the gambit works, it draws real fans of this kind of content. Who in turn are joined by another group clicking in to gawp at rubes interacting with fake stuff or to try to warn people it is A.I. -...
The auction market "continues to sag behind its 2022 sales records, when a pent-up supply of masterpieces during the pandemic pushed the fall sales to $3.2 billion." - The New York Times
In Spain, regional governments are responsible for disaster management, including heritage protection. The co-operation between the central government and Valencia’s to respond to the catastrophe has come under heavy scrutiny, with accusations of negligence on both sides. - The Art Newspaper
France? Sure, France published the book. But, the book’s author says, “I’m told that there was interest from various international publishers at the recent Frankfurt book fair, but there was concern over possible legal consequences.” - The Observer (UK)
"Some analysts expected that Donald J. Trump’s victory in the presidential election would cast a glow over the art market after seeing the prices of some stocks, cryptocurrencies and the dollar lift shortly after his win.” And yet, no. - The New York Times
In newly revealed letters, "the instructions make it clear how deeply involved Hepworth was in the casting procedure, caring not just about the final look of the metal, but also the precise angle of balance.” (Which might seem obvious? But, you know, woman.) - The Observer (UK)
“I don’t think Cattelan’s ‘prank’ was ever in good faith. The Italian artist swims in the same swamp as those he pretends to parody. The murkier the waters, the more they thrive.” - Hyperallergic
"Italian authorities have recovered precious 3rd century B.C. artifacts from an Etruscan necropolis looted by a couple of bungling tomb raiders in Umbria who stumbled across the haul on their land. … The artifacts, including eight urns, two sarcophagi and beauty accessories …, are worth at least 8 million euros ($8.5 million)." - CNN
Nora Abrams, who has been the director of Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art since 2019, will succeed Jill Medvedow, who will leave her position in March 2025. - WBUR
Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual piece, titled Comedian, first sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019; last night, cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun agreed to pay more than 50 times that amount. He gets a roll of duct tape, a banana, official instructions for installation and a certificate of authenticity. - CNN
