National Gallery of Denmark removes colonial language from collection

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National Gallery of Denmark removes colonial terminology from works of art | Copenhagen’s National Gallery of Denmark has followed in the footsteps of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in removing archaic language associated with racism and colonialism from several works of art in its collection. According to the museum’s head of collections and research Peter Nørgaard Larsen, terms such as ‘negro’ have been altered in titles and descriptions of 14 artworks created between 1609 and 1959. The move has, predictably, sparked debate: according to Salon, the Danish People’s Party has accused the museum of trying to rewrite history, while a spokesperson for the nearby National Museum of Denmark has confirmed that they will keep their old labelling as a record of historic inequality and injustices.

London’s Gasworks receives £75,000 grant | Elisabeth Murdoch’s Freelands Foundation has granted south London’s Gasworks £75,000 to be spent on its artist residency programme over a period of three years. The cash will allow a UK artist based outside London to undertake a residency at Gasworks, making new work for a solo exhibition at the venue. ‘I am delighted that we are able to provide funding for Gasworks which is known for its unique relationships with artists and its highly respected residency and exhibition programmes’, Murdoch said in a statement. In the past, Gasworks has been instrumental in launching the careers of artists including Yinka Shonibare, Goshka Macuga, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Tania Bruguera.

Duchamp’s Nu sur nu fetches record price at auction | Marcel Duchamp’s painting Nu sur nu fetched €1,243 million at Paris’s Artcurial auction house this week, setting a new record for a painting by the artist. (French language article.) The work is classed as a National Treasure by the French state, meaning that it cannot be granted an export license. The money from the sale will go to the Médecins sans frontières charity.

Ugo Rondinone installation defaced by vandals | A new public sculpture near Las Vegas by Ugo Rondinone has been defaced by vandals. The work, entitled Seven Magic Mountains, was installed just a month ago, and has generally inspired a favourable reaction. The graffiti left on the work will be removed immediately.

Designs revealed for Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art | Seven architectural practices have been shortlisted to design a major new art museum in Riga that is set to open in 2021. The candidates for the prestigious commission include Adjaye Associates, Caruso St John and Los Angeles practice wHY.