Art Industry News: Rome Puts a Famous Bernini Sculpture on View at Its National Airport + Other Stories

NEED–TO-READ

Curator Bernice Rose Has Died – The art historian Bernice Rose, who was at one time senior curator of the drawings department at MoMA, has died aged 87. She is best known for shows dedicated to Cézanne, Jackson Pollock and the Surrealists, as well as the landmark “Drawing Now: 1955-1975” survey exhibition. In 1993, she became director of special exhibitions at Pace before moving to the Menil Collection in 2007. ()

Sanctions for Art Collector Accused of Funding Militant Group – The art dealer and collector Nazem Ahmad, who had already been put on a sanctions list by the U.S. Treasury, is now being sanctioned by the U.K. as a counter-terrorism measure, over suspected money laundering. It is believed that he used his significant collection of artists like Picasso, Warhol and Antony Gormley to finance the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. ()

Bernini’s Goes on View at Airport – Arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino airport normally signals the end of sightseeing, but tourists will now get the opportunity to see one of the Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s best known works while checking their gate number. The marble depiction of Christ will remain in its new spot for four weeks as part of a strategy to promote the region’s cultural offering before returning to the Basilica of San Sebastiano. ()

Floridians Could Now Sue Over Confederate Monument Removal – A new bill introduced in Florida by Republican state senator Jonathan Martin would give civilians the power to sue local governments that remove confederate statues for as much as three times the cost of repair or replacement. Though Martin has argued that these monuments are necessary for educational purposes, the bill would also prohibit installing signs or other texts intended to better contextualize them. ()

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Artcurial Acquires Swiss Auction House – The Paris auction house Artcurial is expanding into Switzerland with the acquisition of Beurret Bailly Widmer Auktionen, which has locations in Bern, Zurich and St Gallen. The new Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer will hold its first sale in Basel on June 21 when international collectors flock to the city for Art Basel. ()

RISD Staff Reach Tentative Agreement – Staffmembers from the groundskeeping, moving, and custodial departments have reached a tentative contract agreement at the art school following a massive protest staged on their behalf last week. The six-year deal is under revision by the union members, who will vote, potentially stopping the ongoing strike. ()

Carolyn Ramo Leaves Artadia – The veteran executive director of the grant-making nonprofit has announced she will leave her post at the end of next month after 11 years. Suzy Delvalle will serve as interim dierector during the search for Ramo’s replacement. ()

Parrish Names First New Chief Curator In Decades – The Water Mill, New York-based art institution has announced Corinne Erni as the chief curator of art and education, the first new chief curatorial position in nearly 40 years. Erni joined the museum in 2016 as curator of special projects. ()

FOR ARTS SAKE

Björk Teams Up With DRIFT for Coachella Set – The Icelandic artist performed a wide-ranging set at the music festival against a backdrop of more than 800 acrobatic drones designed by Studio Drift. An orchestra conducted by Bjarni Frímann accompanied the songstress. ()