Art Outlook: 25 July

Some of the stories and discussions we’ve spotted online this week:

Famous figures call for a ban on big ships in Venice

Richard Armstrong, Norman Foster, and Tilda Swinton are among the signatories in a new petition calling for a ban on large cruise ships venturing into Venice’s Giudecca Canal.

Otto Piene, co-founder of the ZERO Group, has died aged 86

The celebrated German artist Otto Piene died last Thursday, shortly after the opening of two coordinated exhibitions of his work in Berlin. A special Sky Art Event went ahead at the Neue Nationalgalerie on Saturday, as planned, in his honour.

Ukrainian culture in London: the Firtash Foundation partners with the Saatchi Gallery

The Firtash Foundation has announced its three year patronage of the Saatchi Gallery. A series of exhibitions is planned to celebrate Ukraine’s history, heritage and cultural life.

Arts Council debates Northampton Museum’s accreditation

Northampton’s controversial decision to sell an ancient Egyptian statue at Christie’s could yet backfire, despite it making an astonishing £16 million. The Arts Council reviewed the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery’s accreditation today in light of the sale; if they revoke it, the institution will be ineligible for certain future grants and loans.

Staying put: Girl with a Pearl Earring will not leave the Rijksmuseum

After a highly popular tour to Japan, the USA, and Italy, the Girl with a Pearl Earring has settled in Amsterdam for good. The Rijksmuseum announced recently that Vermeer’s famous painting would be staying put as one of the collection highlights.

Dominique Lévy comes to London

Blue-chip dealer Dominique Lévy will open a new space on Old Bond Street this autumn, in a building constructed by the Duveen family, and based on the design of a Venetian palace.

Trouble brewing: performance artists brew schnapps using fat from a Joseph Beuys sculpture

Three artists used fat from a 30-year-old sculpture by Joseph Beuys to brew schnapps at the Düsseldorf Quadriennale. If you’re wondering, it apparently tasted ‘reminiscent of parmesan’.