Berlin's Culture Senator, Joe Chialo, Steps Down; Investigations Emerge Concerning Creative Australia Funding; Napoleon's Sword Slated for Auction – Morning News for May 2, 2025
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Berlin's culture senator, Joe Chialo, has stepped down following a public outcry over proposed budget cuts to the city's arts sector. The resignation comes after Chialo supported the cuts, which were intended to address financial constraints, but were met with strong criticism from artists, cultural institutions, and the public. The cuts, if implemented, could potentially disrupt existing plans and objectives, alter key professional requirements, and even lead to the closure of nationally renowned cultural institutions.
In a different context, the Los Angeles County Museum of American Art (LACMA) has announced a successful fundraising event, the Collectors Committee Weekend, which raised $2.5 million for the museum. The funds come at a crucial time as LACMA waits for the completion of its David Geffen Galleries building. During the event, LACMA added 112 new objects to its collections, including Virginia da Vezzi's painting, Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Meanwhile, in the world of auctions, Napoleon Bonaparte's ornate sword is set to go under the hammer in Paris, with an estimated selling price of over $1 million.
On the appointment front, Alex Rotter has been named the new global president at Christie's. Rotter, who previously led the 20th and 21st century art department at Christie's, will now work across categories to develop private sales and innovative strategies for auction.
In New York City, Rachel Uffner Gallery has brought on Lucy Liu to expand the gallery. Liu, known for her cultivation of relationships with the growing community of young collectors in the US, has been promoted to director at the gallery.
Elsewhere, the Coalition in Australia, if elected on Saturday, plans to make a more than 10% cut to funding for Creative Australia, the group that organizes the country's Venice Biennale pavilion. However, the opposing Labor party has announced $18 million AUD for Jewish arts, and the Coalition has matched this with additional support, bringing the total to almost $44 million AUD.
Lastly, Rachida Dati, the French culture minister, is proposing a "National Trust a la francaise" to manage the country's heritage sites. The proposal is currently under review, with a special commissioned report expected to be released by the end of May.
- The art world observes a shakeup in Berlin as the culture senator Joe Chialo steps down in response to public backlash against proposed budget cuts to the city's arts sector, potentially affecting institutions like museums.
- In contrast, the Los Angeles County Museum of American Art (LACMA) has successfully raised $2.5 million through its Collectors Committee Weekend, adding Virginia da Vezzi's painting, Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, to its collection.
- In the realm of auctions, Napoleon Bonaparte's ornate sword is set to be auctioned in Paris for an estimated price surpassing $1 million.
- Alex Rotter, previously head of the 20th and 21st century art department at Christie's, has been appointed the new global president at the auction house, tasked with driving private sales and innovative auction strategies.
- As for gallery news, Rachel Uffner Gallery in New York City has welcomed Lucy Liu to expand the gallery, with Liu's role focusing on cultivating relationships with young collectors across the US.
- In Australia, the opposition Labor party has announced $18 million AUD for Jewish arts, prompting the Coalition to match this funding, bringing the combined support for art to almost $44 million AUD.
- Rachida Dati, the French culture minister, proposes a "National Trust a la francaise" to manage heritage sites in France, with a final decision expected by the end of May.
