“JewelHouse.” Rendering courtesy of International Architects Atelier…
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A Jewel-Toned Chapel Will Honor Women in Kansas City
The Kansas City Museum’s historic Beaux Arts conservatory is undergoing another major transformation. The New York artist Summer Wheat has teamed with local firm International Architects Atelier to reimagine the chapel-like structure as JewelHouse, a luminous sanctuary that promotes wellness and pays tribute to women in the arts. Built in 1910 to store winter plants and later transformed into a planetarium, the conservatory will become a meditative space in the spirit of the Rothko Chapel and Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin. Unlike its predecessors, however, JewelHouse will focus on empowerment and equity. Wheat’s interventions include colorful stained glass that glimmers against white marble walls and her signature water bearer motif that symbolizes women’s labor and nourishment. —Ryan Waddoups
The Brick House by Philip Johnson. Image courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation…
The Brick House, also known as the Guest House, is a crucial element of architect Philip Johnson’s estate in New Canaan, but has been closed to the public since 2008. Built in 1949, it complements the Glass House and served as a retreat for notable visitors like Andy Warhol and Phyllis Lambert. It’s now undergoing a $1.8 million restoration funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Preservation architect Mark Stoner and a dedicated project team is addressing issues like water infiltration, roof damage, and interior deterioration. The restoration is set to preserve the structure’s historical significance and reintroduce it to the public, marking the 75th anniversary of its construction.
Mumbai-based writer and curator Ranjit Hoskoté has resigned from the committee responsible for appointing Documenta’s next artistic director following accusations of antisemitism. The accusation stemmed from his signing of a petition in 2019 that likened Zionism to Hindutva (Hindu nationalism). The petition, titled “Statement Against Consulate General of Israel, Mumbai Event on Hindutva and Zionism,” was associated with the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which was designated as antisemitic by the German Parliament in 2019. Hoskoté denounced the accusation of antisemitism and his resignation in a letter, stating that there was no room for nuanced discussion in the current atmosphere.
Darlene and Jorge M. Pérez at the Art of the Party fundraiser at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Image via WorldRedEye.com…
Jorge Pérez makes a landmark donation of $25 million to the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Jorge Pérez, the art collector and property developer, has donated $25 million to the Pérez Art Museum Miami a decade after his initial $35 million gift led to the museum’s rebranding. The announcement was made during the museum’s annual gala, where Pérez and his wife, Darlene, were honored for their continued support. The contribution aims to further the museum’s mission of enriching South Florida’s artistic and cultural landscape. The gala also celebrated Christopher Cozier as the fifth recipient of the $50,000 Pérez Prize, recognizing his contributions to Caribbean art and history. The event raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and other initiatives.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has eliminated 20 staff positions due to a 35 percent decline in attendance since the pandemic began. Museum director Christopher Bedford justified the cuts as a response to the challenging economic situation, explaining in a letter that fiscal year 2023 attendance was only 65 percent of what it was in fiscal year 2019. Despite raising admission prices recently, lower attendance, rising costs, and the impending depletion of pandemic relief funds necessitated a reevaluation of the museum’s budget and staffing. The cuts affect various departments and management levels, excluding frontline employees but involving two union roles.
Sephora has partnered with the Fifteen Percent Pledge to offer a $100,000 grant to a Black business owner in the beauty industry. Despite ongoing calls for increased diversity and equity in the beauty sector, Black entrepreneurs still encounter systemic obstacles. In 2022, less than 1 percent of venture capital funding for founders went to Black business owners, a persistent trend. Sephora committed to dedicating at least 15 percent of its shelf space to Black-owned brands through the Fifteen Percent Pledge and is working to support the growth and opportunities for the next generation of Black beauty entrepreneurs.
A sofa designed by Robert Pattinson at JF Chen. Photography by Ye Rin Mok…
