Guggenheim severs talks with Gulf Labor coalition as protests resume
The Guggenheim Foundation has ended negotiations with the Gulf Labour Artist Coalition, an activist group protesting labor conditions on the museum's Abu Dhabi extension. Director Richard Armstrong called talks 'no longer productive,' accusing the coalition of shifting demands and spreading mistruths. In response, Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction (G.U.L.F.) announced it will resume direct actions in New York and elsewhere. The breakdown follows a yearlong process after 2015 protests at the New York Guggenheim and Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
Key facts
- Guggenheim Foundation broke off negotiations with Gulf Labour Artist Coalition
- Coalition protested labor conditions for Abu Dhabi museum construction
- Richard Armstrong said talks were 'no longer productive'
- Armstrong accused coalition of shifting demands and spreading mistruths
- Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction (G.U.L.F.) will resume direct actions
- Negotiations began after 2015 May Day occupation of New York Guggenheim
- Protests also occurred at Peggy Guggenheim Collection during Venice Biennale
- G.U.L.F. had agreed to halt demonstrations during negotiations
Entities
Institutions
- Guggenheim Foundation
- Gulf Labour Artist Coalition
- Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction (G.U.L.F.)
- New York Guggenheim
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- New York Times
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- New York
- Venice