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Armed robbers break into TEFAF, smash a glass case, and force the fair to evacuate.
“Dutch police said they were looking for multiple men after they broke into TEFAF Maastricht in the Netherlands, an art fair known for selling top-notch antiquities and Old Master paintings. Police in Maastricht said that the men conducted an attempted robbery at around 11:30 a.m. local time and that two people involved have already been arrested. The fair was briefly evacuated after the incident. Police said that no one had been hurt during it and no objects stolen. Video that appears to show the robbery was posted to social media. The footage displays a chaotic scene in which multiple men are confronted by security officers as glass is smashed with a stanchion and a bouquet of flowers is nearly hurled.” [H/T ARTnews]
Bonhams’ shopping spree continues with French auction house Cornette de Saint Cyr.
“Bonhams has bought French auction house Cornette de Saint Cyr for an undisclosed amount, the London-based auctioneer announced on Tuesday, making it the fourth competitor it has taken over within just six months. The buying spree is part of the company’s ambitious plans to build a global network of regional auction houses to cement its control of the art market for works priced around $1 million or below.” [H/T Artnet News]
The creator of Bored Ape Yacht Club sues artist Ryder Ripps for selling copycats.
“The creator of the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club non-fungible tokens has sued an artist in Los Angeles federal court, accusing him of selling copycats that are confusing potential buyers. Yuga Labs Inc said in the Friday lawsuit that Ryder Ripps is purposely causing consumer confusion under the guise of satire and reaping millions in ‘ill-gotten profit’ while ‘celebrating the harm he causes.’ A statement on the website for Ripps’ NFTs said Bored Ape Yacht Club has ‘extensive connections’ to ‘subversive internet nazi troll culture’ and that his work ‘recontextualized’ the pieces.” [H/T Reuters]
The buoyant looks at Marc Jacobs’ latest show defied the deflated national mood.
“Marc Jacobs, the prolific designer, has made a career of propelling himself into the future. But he could not have known that his second runway collection of the year would be shown just days after the US Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that protected American women’s right to an abortion for almost 50 years. Instead of looking as deflated as many in America feel right now, Jacobs’ models were elongated, uplifted in towering platform Mary Janes, their silhouettes in many cases as narrow as the marble hallway of the New York Public Library where they walked.” [H/T Business of Fashion]
Saudi Arabia will bring works by James Turrell and Michael Heizer to the AlUla region.
“Saudi Arabia is taking a big step in its longer plan to become an international art destination by inviting major artists, including James Turrell and Michael Heizer, to permanently install monumental pieces in its northwestern desert over the next couple years. From a mirrored installation that mimics a mirage to a labyrinth town made from adobe walls, the first five pieces will dot a 25-square-mile area dubbed Wadi AlFann, which means Valley of the Arts, according to Saudi cultural authorities. The valley is located in AlUla, a craggy desert region long known for its Petra-like rock tombs and more recently for its Desert X AlUla contemporary-art biennial.” [H/T Wall Street Journal]
Apple has quietly hired former Molekule chief design officer Peter Riering-Czekalla.
“Bloomberg reports that Apple is preparing to release a “flood of new products” in late 2022 and early 2023: New iPhones, Apple watches, Macs, iPads, AirPods Pro, HomePods and their first mixed-reality headset. Buried at the bottom of the article is a small mention: They’ve also fortified their design team by hiring industrial designer Peter Riering-Czekalla, who was formerly the Chief Design Officer of high-end air purifier brand Molekule.” [H/T Core77]
Today’s attractive distractions:
Pamper your pooch for only $7,500 with Gucci’s new sofa-shaped dog beds.
The world’s new ugliest dog, meanwhile, looks like a washed-up gutter punk.
Rimowa’s signature ribbed aluminum looks great on a USM storage console.
A baby woolly mammoth was discovered frozen in the Canadian permafrost.
