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Lawrence Lek, the sci fi–inspired filmmaker, wins the 2024 Frieze London artist prize.
The London-based artist has been awarded this year’s Frieze London Artist Award, allowing him to create a commission for the upcoming London edition of the fair. His installation, Guanyin: Confessions of a Former Carebot, will blend his mechanical sculptures and sci-fi narratives. So far, Lek has shared that the commission will focus on the travails of a Buddhist goddess recast as a cyborg therapist.
The prominent curator Joseph Awuah-Darko is being sued over unpaid artworks.
Ghanaian artist Foster Sakyiamah has sued curator Joseph Awuah-Darko, claiming $266,527 in unpaid fees for art created at Awuah-Darko’s Noldor Artist Residency. Sakyiamah alleges that despite receiving initial payments, Awuah-Darko withheld significant sums and demanded further commissions, including those for his own personal collection. Awuah-Darko’s lawyer countered that any owed funds are offset by substantial payments already made, while controversy surrounding the residency and prior artist grievances have amplified scrutiny.
Jorge Pérez speaks out against Ron DeSantis for slashing Florida’s arts budget.
The prominent Miami art collector Jorge Pérez called out Governor Ron DeSantis for vetoing $32 million in state arts funding, arguing it sends a negative message and undermines cultural development efforts. DeSantis justified the cuts by targeting specific events he deemed inappropriate for taxpayer funding. Criticism from DeSantis’s team seemed to overlook the sums Pérez has invested in Miami’s arts industry, including significant donations to local cultural institutions.
HBC, owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, purchases Neiman Marcus in a $2.65 billion deal.
The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue has agreed to purchase Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion. The merger transcends the luxury market and will include Amazon and Salesforce as minority stakeholders. Saks Global, the new combined entity, will be led by Saks.com head Marc Metrick, who aims to leverage AI to enhance customer experiences amid the shifting retail landscape.
As Nike stock slumps, the footwear and sports giant is rolling out budget sneakers.
Following a nearly 20 percent stock swan dive, Nike announced plans to introduce a line of sneakers priced at $100 and under to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. The move aims to address a sales decline and increasing competition from brands like Adidas and Hoka, as well as limited traffic in its factory outlet stores. Analysts view the strategy as potentially risky, citing a need for greater innovation across Nike’s product lineup.
Today’s attractive distractions:
A nearly 160-year-old time capsule was discovered in a Polish museum.
Seemingly everyone but Elon Musk “liked” Mark Zuckerberg’s surfing video.
This Instagrammer’s viral AI architecture blends biomimetics and food.
Olala: this summer, Olympic medals will be presented on Louis Vuitton trays.
