Our daily round-up of news from the art world
Corbyn’s Arts Policy | Labour party leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn has announced his ambitions for the arts should he become the British Prime Minister. Corbyn pledged millions to publicly funded art, describing it as ‘central’ to creating a better society. Opinions will be divided as to whether his dream of unleashing the ‘painter…in all of us’ is a recipe for creativity or chaos.
Looted Statue to be Returned to Libya | The British Museum is to safeguard an ancient Greek sculpture that was smuggled out of Libya in 2011, until it can be returned to the country. Westminster magistrates’ court rejected an ownership claim by a Dubai businessman, and deemed the object forfeit to the Crown. Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs stated that the statue had been ‘unlawfully excavated’ and ‘misdeclared’ on arrival in Britain.
‘Gratuitous’ Tower Wins Carbuncle Cup | The ‘Walkie Talkie’, a controversial tower in London’s financial district, has been declared ‘the worst building in Britain’ by the judges of this year’s Carbuncle Cup.
Armenian Programme for Istanbul Biennial Announced | Full details of the programme for the 14th Istanbul Biennial were announced today. The programme, which opens on 5 September, will commemorate the centenary of the Armenian genocide.
Gaudí House to Become Museum | Casa Vicens, the first major building designed by Antoni Gaudí, is to be renovated as a museum after over a century as a private residence. It is scheduled to open in autumn 2016.
Billionaire Plans Art-Filled Shopping Centres | Chinese billionaire Adrian Cheng has announced his intention to build 17 new shopping centres that double as galleries and exhibition spaces.