Michael Rakowitz protests at MoMA PS1, NEW INC launches XR studio with Onassis, Whitechapel auction announced
In a show of support for activists opposing board members Larry Fink and Leon Black, Michael Rakowitz halted his video project RETURN (2004-) at MoMA PS1 in New York. He had initially made this request in November 2019, but the museum did not act on it. Rakowitz insisted the video stay paused until Fink and Black either divested from investments in private prisons and defense contractors or resigned from the board. Following his exit, the museum quickly resumed the video and removed his statement the next day. Meanwhile, NEW INC revealed a collaboration with Onassis USA to launch ONX Studio in late spring 2020. Additionally, fourteen artists contributed works for an auction at London’s Whitechapel Gallery on January 21, 2020. Britney Spears' team refuted allegations regarding her first solo exhibition, and Frieze appointed Simon Fox as CEO.
Key facts
- Michael Rakowitz paused his video RETURN (2004-) at MoMA PS1 in protest of board members Larry Fink and Leon Black
- The protest relates to Fink and Black's investments in private prison and defense contractor companies
- Rakowitz requested the alteration in November 2019 when Theater of Operations: The Gulf Wars 1991-2011 exhibition opened
- MoMA resumed the video after Rakowitz left and removed his statement the next day
- NEW INC and Onassis USA are launching ONX Studio for mixed reality artists in late spring 2020
- Fourteen artists donated works for Whitechapel Gallery's January 21, 2020 auction supporting education programs
- Britney Spears' team denied Galerie Sympa's claims about an exhibition and representation
- Frieze appointed Simon Fox as CEO, with co-founders Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover stepping back
Entities
Artists
- Michael Rakowitz
- Alvaro Barrington
- Laure Prouvost
- William Kentridge
- Britney Spears
Institutions
- MoMA PS1
- MoMA
- New Museum
- NEW INC
- Onassis USA
- Onassis Foundation
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Galerie Sympa
- Frieze
- Daily Mirror
- Daily Express
Locations
- New York
- United States
- London
- United Kingdom
- France