MONET'S $25M WATER LILY PAINTING TO DEBUT AT CHRISTIE'S HONG KONG AUCTION

Claude Monet's Nymphéas (1897–99) will headline Christie's inaugural auction at its new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong’s Henderson building on 26 September 2024. This marks the first time the water lily painting, one of Monet's earliest depictions of the subject, will appear at auction. The painting, previously held by the Monet family and then a private collection, is expected to fetch between $25 million and $35 million.

As one of the few remaining works from Monet's pioneering Water Lilies series still in private hands, this painting is considered a rare and valuable piece. Cristian Albu, deputy chairman of 20th/21st century art at Christie’s Asia Pacific, emphasized its significance to collectors in Asia, where demand for iconic Western artworks is rising.

The auction will take place in Christie's new 50,000 sq ft regional headquarters, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, featuring transformable galleries for exhibitions and private sales.

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BANKSY’S GORILLA MURAL REMOVED FROM LONDON ZOO FOR PRESERVATION

Banksy’s final artwork in a recent series, depicting a gorilla lifting a shutter at London Zoo, has been removed for preservation. The mural, which appeared on August 12, was part of a nine-piece animal-themed series that captivated London. Due to overwhelming public interest, the zoo decided to remove the mural to safeguard it and resume normal operations. A replica now stands in its place.

This mural is the fifth in the series to be stolen, defaced, or relocated, reflecting the challenges of preserving Banksy’s ephemeral street art. Banksy’s series aimed to provide unexpected amusement and highlight human creativity. The frequent removal or destruction of Banksy’s works underscores the transient nature of his medium, with many of his pieces having been removed, defaced, or destroyed over the years.

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INFLUENTIAL JAPANESE POP ARTIST KEIICHI TANAAMI PASSES AWAY AT 88

Keiichi Tanaami, a pioneering Japanese Pop artist known for his psychedelic and provocative works, died on August 9, 2024, at the age of 88. His death, caused by complications from myelodysplastic syndrome and a sudden subarachnoid hemorrhage, was confirmed by his gallery, Nanzuka.

Born in Tokyo in 1936, Tanaami's work was deeply influenced by his experiences during World War II and the American cultural invasion in post-war Japan. He became known for blending American Pop art with traditional Japanese motifs, creating a unique visual language that addressed cultural and social issues. Tanaami's work also reflected his battles with chronic illnesses, including tuberculosis and cancer, which inspired a shift in his art towards more serene yet vivid imagery.

A respected professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design, Tanaami mentored a new generation of artists. His work is held in prestigious collections worldwide, and retrospectives in Tokyo and Miami are planned for 2024.

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LOUVRE ATTENDANCE DROPS 22% DURING PARIS OLYMPICS

The Musée du Louvre experienced a 22% drop in visitor attendance during the 2024 Paris Olympics, held from July 27 to August 11. Weekly attendance during the Games averaged 23,644 daily visitors, a significant decline compared to the same period in 2023. The two weeks leading up to the Olympics saw an even steeper 45% drop due to heightened security measures, including the museum's closure on July 25 and 26.

Other nearby museums, like the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie, also reported attendance drops of 29% and 31%, respectively. The Louvre’s total visitor count for 2024 so far is 5 million, a 4% decrease from 2023. The decline may also be influenced by the Louvre’s ticket price increase from €17 to €22 earlier this year. In contrast, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art reported a full recovery in attendance, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

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