A recent auction at Christie's in New York saw a painting by Indian artist Amrita Sher-Gil, considered India's most famous female painter, fail to sell for $2.8m despite its expected value. In contrast, another Indian artist, Gaitonde, broke an Indian art auction record, but his sale was part of an uneven South Asian sales season. The market's focus on assigning singular attribution to Old Masters may be lucrative, but it can also be misleading as Renaissance works were often created by multiple hands.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/long-undervalued-bangladeshi-artists-begin-to-rise-at-auctionAnalog photography has played a significant role in preserving cultural heritage worldwide since its invention in the 19th century. The Apollo 11 lunar landing, documented using analog cameras, is one notable example. Claudia Determann and Christian Klant have led efforts to submit arts and traditions for consideration through analog photography, with Thomas Gerwers' involvement. Their efforts have been successful, as analog photography has been officially recognized in the State Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of North Rhine-Westphalia.
https://petapixel.com/2025/03/31/germany-officially-recognizes-film-photography-as-a-cultural-heritage/The conference is doubling down on culture by highlighting artists and creatives through programming like showcases, film screenings, and performances. Anthony, the organizer, stated that nearly 80% of sponsors are expected to retain their support this year, but some prospective sponsors have expressed concerns about the name "Blackweek" due to its alignment with the current climate.
https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/blackweek-april-fools-stunt-puts-a-spotlight-on-dei-rollbacks/The Blokees Brand Marketing is evolving its event system by 2025 into a comprehensive framework featuring three core components: an online creation competition, an offline Speed Build competition, and a global exhibition of works. Ye Shanshan, Vice President of Blokees Brand Marketing, aims to provide a more complete platform for participants worldwide to create and share their talents, allowing individuals to discover their own stage.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/01/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/blokees-officially-announces-the-launch-of-the-second-season-of-3rd-bfc-creation-competition-breaking-the-cocoon-season/2083875Italian sculptor Giuseppe Penone has donated over 200 works on paper to the Castello di Rivoli in Italy, a significant collection of archival materials related to his notable sculptures and installations in the Piedmontese region. This donation is part of Penone's efforts to start a dialogue through his art, following similar gifts of drawings to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Centre Pompidou in 2020.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/giuseppe-penone-will-transform-londons-serpentine-south-into-an-extension-of-its-surrounding-parksHaynes has a history of showcasing his work at Cannes, including the Palme d'Or contender May December in 2023, following notable appearances with Velvet Goldmine in 1998, Carol in 2015, and Wonderstruck in 2017. His documentary The Velvet Underground also screened out of competition in 2021. Notable past winners of the Carrosse d'Or include Clint Eastwood, Nanni Moretti, and Martin Scorsese, among others.
https://deadline.com/2025/04/todd-haynes-cannes-directors-fortnight-golden-carriage-1236356128/The final rehearsal for the Kyoto's spring 'Miyako Odori' geisha dance performance took place on April 1, 2025. The event is a traditional Japanese dance performance that showcases the art of geishas from Kyoto. The rehearsal was held at the Gion Shirakawa district in Kyoto, Japan, where the actual performance will be staged later this spring.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250401/p2a/00m/0na/013000cA catalogue raisonné of Lucian Freud's oil paintings, written by Catherine Lampert and Toby Treves, offers a comprehensive look at the life and work of the post-war British painter. The book features nearly faultless forensic scrutiny and includes 566 illustrations. A recent exhibition at the National Gallery marked the centenary of Freud's birth, exploring his enduring appeal to a new generation.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-putting-together-lucian-freuds-catalogue-raisonneA new exhibition showcases Michelangelo's lesser-known works, including a red chalk preparatory sketch for the Sistine Chapel's "Worship of the Brazen Serpent" section. The catalogue features drawings and letters that reveal the artist's creative process, such as his draughtsmanship, which is highlighted in a book about his life and works. A scholar discovered a sketch of Michelangelo in the margin of a 15th-century edition of Dante's Divine Comedy, while another expert, Grant Lewis, curated the exhibition.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/april-book-bag-from-a-new-angle-on-michelangelos-sistine-chapel-to-the-re-issuing-of-bell-hookss-art-essays