April 1, 2023
Good morning. 🌧️ We’ve got some incredible stories for you today, beginning with a new van Gogh biopic starring Prince Harry. Makes sense, doesn’t it? They’re both sensitive, misunderstood redheads. I can’t wait to watch it.
In other news, MoMA co-curates a show with the NYPD (ugh), the Vatican announces a surprising collaboration with the fashion brand Balenciaga, and a cache of never-before-seen Vermeer works reveals that the Dutch Golden Age master was mostly a dog portraitist.
But there are also some bad things happening in this world, as Iran issues a fatwa against users of AI and the British Museum, ever so brazen, offers Greece an "exclusive NFT" of the Parthenon Marbles instead of the real thing. And there's more, if you can take it.
— Hakim Bishara, Senior Editor
Prince Harry to Star in New Van Gogh Biopic
The estranged prince said he took the role to raise awareness of mental health issues. | Sarah Rose Sharp
IN THE NEWS
Members of NYPD will be walking around the museum carrying artworks as an attempt to address notions of "care" around property. (all images courtesy Your MoMA)
MoMA’s co-curated exhibition with the NYPD, Arrest Me, Daddy, hopes to cast a more positive light on the work of law enforcement officers.
The British Museum has dug its heels in regarding its decision not to repatriate the Parthenon Marbles, offering Greece an “exclusive NFT” of the sculptures.
Kanye West, Roman Polanski, and Carl Andre are among the shortlisted artists for Saudi Arabia’sinaugural Freedom of Expression Art Prize.
In an extraordinary move, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa against AI, calling it “satanic.”
ART & RELIGION
Vatican Partners With Balenciaga on “Spiritual” Menswear Line
A spokesperson for the church cited “shared values” with the fashion brand. | Rhea Nayyar
Florida School Censors Madonna and Child; Calls It “Assault on Family Values”
The school claimed the Virgin Mary “doesn’t look happy enough” about experiencing the joy of motherhood. Governor Ron DeSantis applauded the move. | Elaine Velie
LIVE, LAUGH, LOOT
Repatriation-Inspired Fragrance Line Hopes to Heal Collector Wounds
The exotic scents of the Rapatriement line offer solace and joy to dismayed collectors who were forced to return looted artifacts. | Hrag Vartanian
Met Gala Announces 2023 “Looting and Plunder” Theme
Select A-list guests will be invited to wear any artifacts from the museum's collection that have not yet been seized by the Manhattan DA's office. | Valentina Di Liscia
LATEST DISCOVERIES
Newly Discovered Trove of Vermeer Works Reveals He Painted Mainly Dogs
A cache of 243 paintings found in an English castle, all depicting canine subjects, suggests Vermeer’s true aspiration was to become a dog portraitist. | Rhea Nayyar
Mediocre Painting Thought AI-Generated Revealed as Work of Real Artist
Visitors who spoke to Hyperallergic said they were “horrified” to learn that a human had come up with such a flat, derivative artwork. | Valentina Di Liscia
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