The Amex Centurion card, created in collaboration with Rem Koolhaas. Photo: American Express.
Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Tuesday, February 9.
NEED-TO-READ
How Deaccessioning Is Playing Out in the Public Sphere – Andrew Russeth captures the battle royal underway in the museum world surrounding deaccessioning in light of new challenges posed by the pandemic. Perhaps the most vocal proponent of a loose constructionist view is Baltimore Museum of Art director Christopher Bedford, who said: “Museum directors, as a convention, learn art history in the classroom, and they learn economic management in practice. The big revelation, for me, is that my greatest act of creativity is now an economic one, as opposed to a conventionally defined creative one.” (
The facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Courtesy of the Met.
The practice of deaccessioning has never failed to incite controversy. But the stakes are even higher now that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York one of the wealthiest, largest, and best-attended museums in the world has suggested it is considering selling off some of its art as it faces a $150 million shortfall.
The fact that a leading professional organization relaxed its guidelines surrounding deaccessioning last spring, which means that the Met would draw no official censure from the move, is of no consequence to the many experts and observers including former museum leadership who swiftly voiced their opposition.
New Yorkâs biggest art museum prepares to sell works to pay bills
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By Robin Pogrebin
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Facing a potential shortfall of $US150 million ($197m) because of the pandemic, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has begun conversations with auction houses and its curators about selling some artworks to help pay for care of the collection.
âThis is the time when we need to keep our options open,â Met director Max Hollein told the
New York Times. âNone of us have a full perspective on how the pandemic will play out. It would be inappropriate for us not to consider it when weâre still in this foggy situation.â
Baltimore Museum of Art to allow small groups with reservations Share Updated: 1:00 PM EST Jan 29, 2021 Jenny Fulginiti SOURCE: Baltimore Museum of Art
TRACKING THE COVID-19 VACCINE Share Updated: 1:00 PM EST Jan 29, 2021 Jenny Fulginiti Digital Editor The Baltimore Museum of Art announced Friday that it will begin to allow small groups into the museum to experience a couple exhibits.|| Coronavirus updates | Maryland s latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||Officials said groups of up to eight people will be able to reserve a time to see two selections of exhibitions and galleries from Feb. 6 through March 7. Each group will have 90 minutes to see the exhibitions that opened in Fall 2020 that will be closing in March: A Perfect Power: Motherhood and African Art and Stripes and Stars: Reclaiming Lakota Independence. Beginning Feb. 17, visitors can also see Stephanie Syjuco: Vanishing Point (Ov