German Media Roundup: AfD vs. Provenance Research, Biennale President Defends Russia Invitation, Galliano Show Canceled
A roundup from Monopol media highlights significant developments in the art sector. In Germany, the AfD's electoral agenda in Saxony-Anhalt aims to terminate funding for provenance research, encountering resistance from experts such as Meike Hopp of the German Lost Art Foundation. Art historian Anne Paschen documented 208 questionable items, including artifacts from a demolished synagogue. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, president of the Venice Biennale, defended the decision to invite Russia, asserting that 'art won, not Putin,' while also criticizing EU Commissioner Raffaele Fitto. In the UK, Greater Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham, now considers the Parthenon Sculptures a matter for the British Museum, with discussions ongoing with Greece. Additionally, the canceled John Galliano exhibition at the Met is under scrutiny, and the Kennedy Center is unexpectedly removing Joel Shapiro's sculpture 'Blue.'
Key facts
- AfD election program in Saxony-Anhalt proposes ending funding for provenance research.
- Meike Hopp of the German Lost Art Foundation rejects AfD's stance on provenance research.
- Anne Paschen works on 208 suspicious museum objects in Saxony-Anhalt, including items from a destroyed synagogue.
- Angela Kolb-Janssen, conference organizer, says 'We must not let ourselves be intimidated.'
- Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defends Russia's invitation to the Venice Biennale, saying 'art won, not Putin.'
- Buttafuoco criticizes EU Commissioner Raffaele Fitto for an 'anti-Italian decision.'
- Ticket sales for Venice Film Festival up 10%, art biennale up 20%.
- Andy Burnham reverses his position on returning the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece.
- British Museum says talks with Greece over 'Parthenon Partnership' are constructive.
- Lord Ed Vaizey calls Burnham's change 'depressing.'
- John Galliano and the Met cancel the 2027 retrospective due to his past antisemitic remarks.
- Anna Wintour's support for Galliano is criticized; staff reportedly whisper about her.
- Kennedy Center removes Joel Shapiro's 'Blue' sculpture without public announcement.
- Former curator Josef Palermo criticizes lack of transparency at Kennedy Center.
- Paris Opera ceiling dispute: Chagall's 1962 painting covers Lenepveu's work; descendant Arnaud Carayon wants alternating display.
- Opera director Alexander Neef says Lenepveu's ceiling has been recognized as a monument since 1923.
- Radio host Alain Duault suggests a third, new ceiling by a contemporary artist.
Entities
Artists
- Marc Chagall
- Jules-Eugène Lenepveu
- John Galliano
- Joel Shapiro
Institutions
- AfD
- German Lost Art Foundation
- Venice Biennale
- British Museum
- Parthenon Project
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Costume Institute
- Kennedy Center
- Paris Opera
- Maison Margiela
- Dior
- Page Six
Locations
- Halberstadt
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Venice
- Italy
- Greece
- London
- New York
- Paris
- France