Art Wars
For almost a decade, Star Wars creator George Lucas has been trying to construct a museum to hold his extensive collection of artworks and film memorabilia. He has enlisted architect Ma Yansong to design the building, but the filmmaker’s plans to construct it—first in San Francisco’s Presidio and then in Chicago—have been rejected. This month, Lucas plans to decide between a potential site in Los Angeles and an alternate San Francisco location.
[Yahoo]
Portrait Politics
A photograph of Donald Trump is set to be installed in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The 1989 portrait will be on view on Jan. 13, a week before inauguration celebrations.
[Blouin Artinfo]
Coming to America
Paris-based fashion brand Zadig & Voltaire will debut its next collection during New York Fashion Week. This will be the brand’s first show outside of France in its 20-year history.
[WWD]
Barbara Weiss, 1960-2016
Berlin art dealer Barbara Weiss died on Dec. 31. “Beyond her gallery, Barbara also advocated for women of all generations and in all positions in the arts,” wrote Weiss’s stepson, gallerist Leo Koenig.
[Artnews]
Design for Good
Six winners of the Curry Stone Design Prize, an award for socially beneficial design, have been announced. “Their work is part of a larger movement of individuals and groups who see design as a necessary tool to make our societies more just, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive,” said prize director Emiliano Gandolfi.
[ArchDaily]
Airing of Grievances
Eight Chinese artists in Chengdu, China, were detained for taking part in a silent protest against the country’s air pollution. “I cough all the time. [I thought] we want to take some action, we should stand up,” said an unnamed member of the group.
[Artforum]