The Smithsonian is coming to London

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Smithsonian to open outpost with the V&A | The Smithsonian Museum has confirmed plans to collaborate with the V&A in creating a permanent gallery space in east London’s Olympic Park. The outpost will form part of ‘Olympicopolis’, which will also host branches of Sadler’s Wells, University of the Arts London, University College London, and the V&A itself. As The Art Newspaper states, the scheme is on a considerably more modest scale than the idea that was originally proposed; instead of establishing a purpose-built space, the Smithsonian will share a roof with the V&A, occupying roughly a quarter of the latter’s new outpost. Nevertheless, it will be the first time that the Smithsonian has opened a permanent space outside the United States in its 170-year-history. For further debate on the new satellite, see our Forum article here.

David Nahmad admits owning an allegedly looted Modigliani | Art dealer David Nahmad has admitted that he is the current owner of a painting by Amedeo Modigliani that was seized by Swiss authorities last year on suspicion that it had been looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. In an interview with the New York Times, Mr Nahmad insisted that the work in question is not the painting that had once belonged to Oscar Stettiner, a Jewish art dealer, before the war.

Clare McAndrew leaves TEFAF for Art Basel | Art economist Clare McAndrew has joined Art Basel after eight years compiling the art market report for The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), reports The Art Newspaper. According to McAndrew, who says she left TEFAF on good terms, ‘It is a sign of a maturing market that other players are now choosing to invest in independent research.’ The first Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report will be published to coincide with the fair’s Hong Kong edition next March.

Finalists announced for ING Unseen Talent Award | Unseen and ING have revealed a shortlist of five names for their a pan-European award for emerging artists. The artists in question are Thomas Albdorf, Felicity Hammond, Laurianne Bixhain, Tereza Zelenkova, and Miren Pastor. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on 22 September, on the eve of Amsterdam’s Unseen Photo Fair.

Recommended reading | In the Guardian, Jason Farago visits the Berlin Biennale and doesn’t like what he sees: the is characterised by ‘a digital nihilism so shameless it treats even the comeback of fascism as a joke’. The Art Newspaper, meanwhile, has revealed the strange story of French collector Giulano Ruffini, who says he once owned and sold on paintings, including a contested Cranach that was seized by French authorities earlier this year. Elsewhere, a full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel has just begun a tour of Mexico. Baffled? Find out more on the Hyperallergic blog.