Junya Ishigami to design 2019 Serpentine pavilion This year’s temporary pavilion at London’s Serpentine Gallery, which will open to the public on 20 June, is to be designed by the Japanese architect Junya Ishigami. He will create a slate-covered structure which will seem to float above Kensington Gardens, its interior creating ‘a refuge for contemplation’.
Ishigami, who in 2010 won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, said his design “is an attempt to supplement traditional architecture with modern methodologies and concepts, to create in this place an expanse of scenery like never seen before.”
He added: “Possessing the weighty presence of slate roofs seen around the world, and simultaneously appearing so light it could blow away in the breeze, the cluster of scattered rock levitates, like a billowing piece of fabric.”
The 44-year-old architect’s pavilion will be the 19th since the Serpentine first launched its annual project to create a temporary public building next to the gallery. Ishigami’s pavilion will remain in place until 6 October 2019.
Axel Rüger appointed new secretary and chief executive of Royal Academy in London Rüger moves to the Royal Academy (RA) from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam where he has served as director since 2006, to succeed Charles Saumarez Smith who stepped down in July 2018 after 11 years in post.
Rüger served as the curator of Dutch paintings (1600-1800) at London’s National Gallery from 1999-2006, and also took part in the first year of the Clore Leadership Programme. His new appointment follows a landmark year for the RA in 2018, which marked its 250th anniversy with the redevelopment and expansion of its campus.
With a view to make the institution’s collections more accessible, Rüger said: “It feels like the Academy is now ready to embark on a new and exhilarating chapter. I am excited about the opportunity to join at this critical moment and to work to tell great stories through ambitious and varied exhibitions, innovative programmes and debate.”
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Tate Modern wins privacy case brought by owners of £4m flats Residents of the Neo Bankside flats complained of ‘near constant surveillance’ by members of the public visiting the gallery’s top-floor terrace, which offers 360-degree views of London.
More than half a million visitors each year take lifts up to the 10th floor of the gallery’s £260m extension, allowing views across London – and into the nearby luxury flats.
In response to the complaints, Tate put up notices asking visitors to ‘respect their neighbours’ and security guards discouraged people photographing the flats. Former Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota also suggested residents install net curtains.
On Tuesday 12 February it was announced the popular viewing spot is to remain fully open after a court ruled against residents who took Tate to court over breaches of privacy.
In a 70-page document, judge Mr Justice Mann states that residents could put up net curtains, ‘lower their solar blinds’, install privacy film or even consider well-placed tall plants. He also summarised evidence from residents who had used binoculars to view the furnished interiors.
Art dealer Mary Boone sentenced to 30 months in prison for tax fraud The veteran New York gallerist, who represents artists including Ai Weiwei and Barbara Kruger, pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion last year.
A federal judge sentenced Boone to 30 months in prison for filing false tax returns today in US District Court in Manhattan. Her lawyer said he was “disappointed” with the sentence and that Boone would most likely have to close her gallery.
In a prepared statement read out to the presiding judge, Boone said: “The bad decisions I made have brought shame and suffering to me and my family… I wish I could undo my actions but I can’t. I’ve learned from my mistakes and I will continue to learn. I worked hard for 40 years and I stand to lose everything. I beg your honour to let me go back to work.”
Images:
1. Serpentine Pavilion 2019, Design Render, Exterior View, © Junya Ishigami + Associates
2. Serpentine Pavilion 2019, Design Render, Interior View, © Junya Ishigami + Associates
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