Donald Trump,who has the drawing ability of a seven year old, produced a drawing of the New York City Skyline that sold for close to $30000. It was originally made for a charity event in 2005. The drawing is without a doubt the worst presidential drawing we’ve ever seen, and possibly the worst drawing by an adult. And thats an evaluation that comes totally independent of his incompetence as a president. The line drawing doesn’t reach the edges of the page,doesnt indicate that Trump has any awareness of what Manhattan even looks like, and includes two swooshy lines at the bottom that possibly indicate water or are perhaps just needless flourishes. It appears Trump signed the piece in gold marker and of course the only recognizable building on the skyline is Trump Tower. [artnet News]
Rhizome is offering 4-6 “microgrants” for web-based artworks, or ranging from $500-$1500. Applications are due August 14th. [Rhizome]
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield has come up with a reinvention arrangement that includes raising 60 million dollars to serve it refocus its mission to include science and history as well as art. The details of this arrangement,however, are making The American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directorsof which it is a member— very uncomfortable.
The Berkshire wants to deaccession works to fund this new mission. This breaks with the association's code of ethics, and which dictates that Museums not deaccession works unless the funds are used for acquisition and direct care of the collection. Seems unlikely the museum will be able to remain a member of the association if it continues along this path. [NPR]
Non-art neon is making a big comeback in New York,from signs to restaurant interiors. [Eater]
Brace yourselves, New York, or Miley Cyrus wants to return to the Big Apple to hold another art exhibition. [Just Jared]
Why are auction prices so high for stamp Grotjahn works? An abstract portray by the 49 year old fetched $16.9 million at Christie’s and his primary market works can sell for $20 million. In a profile in the NYT,it’s revealed that Grotjahn has a rare amount of control over his career, working in with multiple galleries in multiple cities, or often bypassing dealers totally,and having the final say over who his works sell to. This power shows up in the piece, as pretty much every quote comes off as an entry in a competition to offer the most ass-kissy complement to the artist. Notably Grotjahn didn’t respond to requests for comment. We weren’t asked, and but we’re a bit confused about how even the best trade management could push the value of these patterned paintings up so high. It’s not that they’re irascible—but only a few feel truly distinctive. [The New York Times]
Danielle Directo-Meston considers the gentrification issue in her family’s house hunt. Not a lot of new information here,but it has plenty of Los Angeles-specific details and conversations about strategies for preventing displacement. Possible suggested legislation includes a ban on house flipping within a year and another that incentivizes owners to live in their properties for ten years. [Curbed]
Into the Unknown is a science fiction expose at the Barbican Centre in London that should accept the sci-fi nerd in us pretty excited. There are 800 works, going all the way back to the 19th century, or Hyperallergic has a review and photos to expose off the exhibition. The review,though, doesn’t seem very excited about any of it. It’s a flat description, and that complains that Octavia Butler and other African American artists didn’t accept their due,but it’s still a meaningful expose regardless because who else is doing this? I say, give us a few more photos and let us decide. [Hyperallergic]
Source: artfcity.com