Jack Shainman Gallery Is Expanding to TriBeCa, and Other News

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Jack Shainman Gallery will expand to TriBeCa’s Clock Tower Building in fall 2023.

“Jack Shainman, a denizen of the gallery district in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood since 1997, will expand his footprint beyond Chelsea, to a massive historical landmark on the edge of TriBeCa. When renovations are completed in fall 2023, the Jack Shainman Gallery will make its headquarters in 20,000 square feet of the blocklong Clock Tower Building, the Italian Renaissance Revival building that was once home to the New York Life Insurance Company. Now known as 108 Leonard Street, the building by McKim, Mead & White was completed around 1898 and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The dealer will retain the upstate outpost known as The School, a 30,000-square-foot former school in Kinderhook, N.Y., that also required extensive renovations, and will continue to mount exhibitions at his space in Chelsea, on West 20th Street.” [H/T The New York Times]

PETA launches a $1 million prize to successfully develop a vegan wool alternative.

“PETA will award $1 million to the first individual or business to successfully develop an animal-free alternative to wool. Entrants to the competition have until July 28 to submit a fabric sample and production plan for their wool substitute. The materials submitted should be bio-based or bio-engineered, biodegradable and/or recyclable, demonstrate low fiber pilling and shedding once knitted, and can be produced at multiple weights. Like traditional wool, the material must also be moisture-wicking, neutralize odors, and retain body temperature. Once a material is approved, its creator will also need to demonstrate its commercial appeal: showing the ability to produce it at scale and convincing at least one top-10 global clothing retailer to sell and market the item by the end of next year.” [H/T Business of Fashion]

Shezad Dawood creates a playground with four models of well-known Doha buildings.

“Shezad Dawood has created an architectural playground in Doha that features miniature versions of four well-known buildings in the city. Dawood worked closely with local architect and historian Fatma Al Sahlawi to choose the buildings for Doha Modern Playground—the Sheraton Hotel by William Pereira, the National Theatre and Ministry of Information by Triad CICO, Qatar University by Kamal El Kafrawi, and the Qatar Post Office by Twist & Whitley. Built between 1982 and 1987, Dawood defines the four buildings as ‘a key group of modernist buildings that really represented the shift to an independent nation.’” [H/T Dezeen]

JPMorgan is forming a joint venture to acquire more than $1 billion in rental houses.

“JPMorgan Chase’s asset management arm entered into a deal to acquire more than $1 billion of single-family rentals, a sign that choppy markets haven’t scared investors away from suburban housing. Institutional investors advised by the bank formed a joint venture with Haven Realty Capital to buy and develop entire communities of new homes. The partners are seeding the venture with three communities in the Atlanta area, and will eventually deploy $415 million in equity, enough to acquire more than 2,500 houses. In 2020, JPMorgan teamed up with American Homes 4 Rent to acquire build-to-rent communities on behalf of investors. Haven’s portfolio already includes 3,500 homes in various stages of completion through joint ventures with other partners.” [H/T Bloomberg]

David Hockney will launch an immersive experience of his paintings in London. 

“David Hockney will launch an ambitious, immersive art show in London in January 2023, transforming his iconic paintings, rarely seen pieces and some newly created work into a multi-sensorial experience. Three years in the making, “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)” will be the launch show at Lightroom in Kings Cross. The four-story space, designed by London architects Haworth Tompkins, is a joint venture between design studio 59 Productions and the London Theatre Company. Tickets for the initial booking period (Jan. 25–April 23) go on sale today. The six-chapter, 50-minute show features a dedicated score by American composer Nico Muhly, and commentary narrated by Hockney himself, in which he reveals his artistic process.” [H/T Wallpaper]

The Wilson Tower, an 80-floor skyscraper designed by HKS, is rising in Austin.

“Wilson Capital announced that its redevelopment of the Avenue Lofts site will be significantly larger than previously reported. The multifamily residential building planned for the 0.8-acre property, now known as Wilson Tower, is set to rise 80 floors to a total height of 1,035 feet. That would make the project the new tallest tower in Texas upon completion, exceeding the height of the Waterline supertall project currently under construction a few blocks away by 13 feet. Wilson Tower is described as a signature 450-unit apartment building with residences ranging from studios to three- and four-bedroom penthouses. Designed by the Austin office of global architecture firm HKS, the building’s impressive height is matched by a remarkable appearance—its signature design feature is a brise soleil, or shade structure, wrapping the tower’s entire glass exterior on the eastern and western elevations.” [H/T Towers]

Larry Gagosian appoints a board of prominent advisers to chart a course for the future.

“It’s hard to imagine an art world without Larry Gagosian in it. The mega dealer represents some of the most important artists of our time, but has also come to symbolize a sexy gallery scene of museum-quality shows, glamorous exhibition openings, and high prices. But people have long wondered how Gagosian’s empire will survive without Gagosian himself. In the last year, he assembled a board of directors to help him think through the future of his business. In addition to seven of his key associates and Gagosian himself, the board features 12 outside members from various industries, all of them collectors. These include Evan Spiegel, Jenny Saville, J. Tomilson Hill, Glenn Fuhrman, and Delphine Arnault.” [H/T The New York Times]

Today’s attractive distractions:

Scientists recreate an alloy, tetrataenite, that only appears on meteorites.

Can computer chips made using mushroom skin reduce electronic waste?

Daniel Arsham crafts a limited-edition 18-karat-gold lock bracelet for Tiffany.  

Thomas McKean has long created sculptures using New York MetroCards.