Art World Updates: Pinault Collection Leadership Change, Rediscovered Napoleon Hat Exhibition, and Biennial Developments

Guillaume Cerutti has been removed from his position as president of the Pinault Collection after just over a year in the role. The former Christie's CEO had relocated from London to Paris to oversee French billionaire François Pinault's extensive private art holdings, which include museums in Paris and Venice. No official reason has been provided for his departure. Pinault, aged 89, will temporarily assume the responsibilities himself. Cerutti continues to serve as chairman for Christie's and Stade Rennais Football Club, both entities under Pinault's holding company Artémis. Separately, a previously overlooked bicorn hat belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte has been authenticated and will be displayed at the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France. The hat, stored for nearly a century, was rediscovered by curator Jean-Guillaume Parich while preparing an exhibition about Napoleon's sister, Caroline Murat. It will be featured in the Murat exhibition from June 6 to October 4. This hat is one of only four that Napoleon took with him during his exile to St. Helena Island from 1815 until his death in 1821. In other news, Precious Okoyomon's installation at the Whitney Biennial, consisting of approximately fifty suspended stuffed animals and dolls, is now on view after a postponement. Additionally, Bose Krishnamachari has stepped down as director of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and from the board of the Kochi Biennale Foundation following sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. The Kennedy Center has initiated layoffs, including senior staff appointed during President Trump's tenure, ahead of a two-year renovation closure. German filmmaker and author Alexander Kluge has passed away at age 94. Artist Theaster Gates plans to return a ceramic vase by enslaved artisan David Drake, known as Dave the Potter, to Drake's descendants. An anti-nuclear weapons art collective called SWANS is presenting an exhibition titled 'Atomic Dragons' at Pitzer College Art Galleries in Los Angeles, which has gained relevance following recent military actions in the Gulf region.