Opening of Lee Bul show delayed after work catches fire

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Lee Bul work at Hayward Gallery catches fire | The Art Newspaper reports that the opening of a solo show devoted to Lee Bul at London’s Hayward Gallery was cancelled last night after one of the artist’s works caught fire immediately before the private view was due to begin. According to the gallery website, it will remain closed on Thursday, but will reopen on Friday. The Hayward says that the fire was quickly contained, resulting in no injuries.

Opinions divided on Frick project at public hearing | Selldorf Architects’ plans for the renovation of the Frick Collection were scrutinised yesterday at a public hearing on the project, which failed to result in universal approval. According to ArtNet, the hearing included a presentation by Annabelle Selldorf and testimonials both for and against the project, and overran by several hours. Some individuals voiced objections to the plans, arguing that the former home of Henry Clay Frick should be preserved in its current form. Representatives for the museum say that another public meeting will be held later this summer.

Emperor Constantine’s finger identified in the Louvre | The missing index finger of a bronze statue of the Emperor Constantine has been identified in the collection of the Louvre, reports the Art Newspaper. Other fragments of the fourth-century statue are held at Rome’s Musei Capitolini, having been donated to the institution from papal collections in 1471. It is not known how the finger – initially believed to be a ‘Roman toe’ – arrived at the Louvre in the 1860s, but similarities to the Capitolini’s fragments of the colossus appear to confirm that it is an exact fit.

Shortlist announced for Sobey Art Award | The Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada have announced the shortlist for the Sobey Art Award, Canada’s biggest prize for visual art. The five shortlisted artists are Jon Rafman (Quebec), Kapwani Kiwanga (Ontario), Joi. T Arcand (Prairies and the North), Jordan Bennett (Atlantic) and Jeneen Frei Njootli (West Coast and Yukon). The winner, who will be awarded $100,000, will be announced at a ceremony at the National Gallery of Canada on 14 November.

Leon Black named chairman of MoMA board of trustees | Financier and collector Leon Black has been appointed chair of the Museum of Modern Art’s board of trustees, replacing Jerry Speyer, who has held the position since 2007. Speyer will now become chairman emeritus. Meanwhile, collector and philanthropist Ronnie Heyman will become the board’s president.