Week in Review

August 20, 2021 • View in browser

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Nakul Talgeri, “Vaccines for Victory” (via Amplifier.org)

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan artists, filmmakers, and writers have amplified calls for the US to keep its embassy open “at all costs” to protect refugees.

Two of PEN International’s members were reportedly killed by the Taliban. The organization is calling for urgent protections to writers, journalists, and other creatives in Afghanistan.

COVID-19

The CDC thinks the arts can help encourage vaccinations across the country. The agency has launched a comprehensive resource page for state and local health departments that want to partner with artists and arts organizations.

Museums and galleries are now included in NYC’s “Key to NYC” vaccination mandate, which requires proof of COVID-19 inoculation to enter entertainment venues, restaurants, and other indoor spaces across the boroughs.

INSTAGRAM

Instagram temporarily removed a Pedro Almodóvar film poster, which features a lactating nipple. The social media giant later apologized.

Despite Instagram’s ostensibly art-friendly guidelines, these artists say their works have been censored by the platform.

IN OTHER NEWS

A pro-Palestinian artwork by Forensic Architecture was censored, and subsequently reinstated, by the University of Manchester.

Kansas City, the 20,000-square-foot Charlotte Street Foundation arts campus, aims to bring together the city’s artists.

The Federal Duck Stamp competition raises millions of dollars annually for the preservation of wetlands and wildlife from sales of $25 waterfowl-themed stamps. Kira Fennell, a 22-year-old artist, brought newfound fame to the contest with her viral TikTok videos about her entry.

Hayal Pozanti’s new installation at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library is inspired by the history of written communication.

A gift of works by over 40 self-taught artists, including Bill Traylor and Mary Frances Whitfield, entered the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, deepening its holdings of Black and Latinx artists from the US, Caribbean, and beyond.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Shio Kusaka and Toshiko Mori have been selected for the 2021 Isamu Noguchi Award.

Jayla Patton was named resident of the BOOM Universe Program from August through September.

Bess Williamson was awarded the 2020 Horowitz Book Prize for Accessible America: A History of Disability and Design.

TRANSITIONS

Elian Almeida is now represented by Nara Roesler Gallery.

Pamela Council is now represented by Denny Dimin Gallery.

Rashid Johnson was named chair of the board of directors at Performa.

Amy Lam was appointed vice president of the music program at 92Y’s Tisch Center for the Arts.

Sahana Ramakrishnan is now represented by Fridman Gallery.

IN MEMORIAM

Nanci Griffith (1953–2021), singer-songwriter | NPR

Ellen Havre Weis (1957–2021), author and co-founder of the Museum of Modern Mythology | Berkeleyside

Donald Kagan (1932–2021), classicist scholar of ancient Greece | Politico

Janice Mirikitani (1941–2021), poet and activist | SF Chronicle

Pitaloosie Saila (1942-2021), artist known for stonecut prints | Radio-Canada

Chucky Thompson (1968–2021), R&B and hip-hop producer | Los Angeles Times

Kaari Upson (1972-2021), artist | The Focus