The inaugural Art Basel awards will honor artists, patrons, creators, and more this June.
Art Basel has introduced its first-ever awards to honor artists, curators, institutions, and cultural innovators shaping contemporary art’s future. A global jury will select 36 semi-finalists, deemed Medalists, who will then vote among themselves to determine 12 Gold Medalists, fostering a peer-driven recognition model. With support from Boss, the awards emphasize collaboration over competition, offering mentorship, commissions, and exhibition opportunities to amplify recipients’ impact on the art world.
Michelangelo Pistoletto, a pioneer of Arte Povera, is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Arte Povera pioneer Michelangelo Pistoletto has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his lifelong effort to merge art with social change. His The Third Paradise manifesto, symbolized by an infinity loop with three circles, promotes harmony between nature, humanity, and technology, inspiring global performances and peace initiatives. Through his Citadellarte Foundation, he continues to use art as a catalyst for sustainability, activism, and reconciliation.
Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary jewelry collection is coming to Julien’s for auction.
Julien’s Auctions will offer a selection of Elizabeth Taylor’s prized jewelry, including a gold and diamond evening purse, an Art Deco emerald brooch, and a ruby and diamond necklace—with an estimated value of up to $300,000 for the necklace alone. The collection, amassed over decades, reflects Taylor’s deep connection to luxury and sentimental pieces gifted by loved ones. The auction, part of “Bold Luxury: The Limelight Edit,” offers collectors the rare chance to own a tangible piece of Hollywood and fashion history.
The shortlist for the Queen Elizabeth II memorial features Heatherwick Studio and Foster + Partners.
Five British architecture and design firms, including Heatherwick Studio, Foster + Partners, and WilkinsonEyre, have been shortlisted to create a memorial honoring Queen Elizabeth II in St. James’s Park. The project aims to provide a contemplative space reflecting her lifelong public service, with placemaking and cost playing key roles in the final selection. The winning design will be announced in summer 2025, with the monument’s unveiling scheduled for April 2026 in honor of the late monarch’s centennial.
The U.S. Pavilion of the Venice Architecture Biennale will feature a crowd-sourced library.
Places Journal will curate a dynamic “citizen’s library” at the U.S. Pavilion for the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, inviting the public to help shape its collection. The library will explore themes of civic life, architecture, and design, featuring works by U.S., tribal, and territorial authors across multiple genres. With a potential catalog of 4,000 books, the project fosters inclusivity and public engagement, making it a living archive of American thought and culture.
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