Guggenheim removes exhibits following threats of violence

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Guggenheim removes works from Chinese contemporary art show following threats | New York’s Guggenheim is to remove three works from a new exhibition of Chinese contemporary art following accusations of animal cruelty and threats of violence. One of the works in question, a video by artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu from 2003, features dogs apparently being forced to run on treadmills, and has sparked a protest petition attracting more than 600,000 signatures. ‘Although these works have been exhibited in museums in Asia, Europe, and the United States, the Guggenheim regrets that explicit and repeated threats of violence have made our decision necessary,’ the museum said in a statement. ‘As an arts institution committed to presenting a multiplicity of voices, we are dismayed that we must withhold works of art.’ The show will otherwise go ahead as planned.

Activists occupy Berlin’s Volksbühne theatre | A group of activists has ‘occupied’ Berlin’s Volksbühne theatre with the aim of protesting gentrification in the city. The Volksbühne, a highly regarded avant-garde cultural venue, has been at the centre of protests over commercialisation since former Tate Modern director Chris Dercon was chosen to replace longstanding head Frank Castorf. Calling themselves ‘Dust to Glitter’, the protestors plan to stage various actions at the theatre in coming months.

Carlos Picón to direct Colnaghi’s New York outpost | Carlos Picón, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is to take over as head of London dealership Colnaghi’s fledgling New York outpost. Picón, who currently oversees the Met’s department of Greek and Roman Art, has served at the institution since 1990, curating numerous exhibitions and overseeing a major renovation project for its Greek and Roman galleries. Conalghi New York is expected to open later this year.

Marko Daniel named director of Fundació Joan Miró | Marko Daniel, head of public programmes at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, is to take up the post of director at Barcelona’s Fundació Joan Miró (Spanish language article). Daniel, an expert in Catalan and Chinese contemporary art, has been at the Tate since 2006, notably co-curating Tate Modern’s Joan Miró retrospective in 2011. He takes up the post in January 2018, when he will replace the longstanding director, Rosa Maria Malet.

Loring Randolph appointed Frieze’s artistic director for the Americas | Loring Randolph of New York’s Casey Kaplan gallery has joined Frieze as its new artistic director for the Americas. Randolph will be responsible for determining the ‘strategic goals’ and content of Frieze New York, and will work closely with galleries, collectors and curators throughout the Americas.