Roman Mosaic Floor Found in Naples Waters, Project to Restore Vandalized Art in Brazil, ‘Mona Lisa’ Called Back to Italy, and More: Morning Links for July 24, 2024

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THE HEADLINES

RESCUE OPERATION. The National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) has announced that an extensive project to restore art vandalized during the 2023 insurrection at the Brazilian government’s headquarters should be completed in December, reports The Art Newspaper. Hundreds of works of art and design, as well as historical objects were targeted in the January 8 riots in Brasília, following the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The damage is estimated at $4 million. The final stage of the restoration project involves 11 paintings, six of which have already been fully repaired. Researchers are now focusing on As Mulatas (1962) by the painter Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, that was stabbed seven times during the uprising. In addition to the paintings, nine works made with wood, iron and paper are also nearing the final stages of the restoration process. “We still need to complete the scientific documentation of each piece”, said Andrea Bachettini the coordinator of this ambitious project.

CALL BACK. Zahi Hawass, who is considered to be the world’s most famous contemporary archaeologist, has announced he will work with Italy’s culture ministry to secure the return of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to the country, reports The Art Newspaper. When asked whether he would advise Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s culture minister, to demand the return of the Mona Lisa, which is currently displayed at the Louvre in Paris, he replied: “Yes, I will talk to the minister when I see him. Italy and I can join together to return Italy’s stolen artifacts. The Gioconda [Mona Lisa] is the most important thing. It has to come back to Italy.” The archaeologist also reiterated his previous demands that three Egyptian treasures —the Rosetta Stone currently at the British Museum, The Bust of Nefertiti at Berlin’s Neues Museum and the Dendera zodiac at the Louvre—should be returned to his country of birth.

THE DIGEST

Over 50 paintings and drawings by a Yorkshire artist, whose works are in Buckingham Palace and The White House, are expected to fetch up to £8,000 at auction. The collection belonged to marine artist Jack Rigg, who died aged 96 last year. Auctioneers said most of the works going under the hammer on Sunday had “never been seen in public before” and had been on the walls of his home and studio in Hull. [BBC]

Artist Matthew Barney (b. 1967), who works in the fields of sculpture, film, photography and drawing, got the profile treatment from Jason Farago. Misunderstood for decades, the sculptor and filmmaker is pushing ceramic to its limits. “He’s dancing. He’s making the best work of his career.” [The News York Times]

A new book by curator Gesine Borcherd, called “Dream On Baby”, compiles the childhood memories of 33 artists, from happy moments, to sad adventures, to moving anecdotes, and funny stories. At its heart is the premise that the artist is very often formed in the cradle of their upbringing, whether messed up or not. “The more fucked-up a childhood you have, the better artist you become because you have something to work with”, says Marina Abramović at the opening of “Dream On Baby”. [Artnet]

Since the late 1950s, marine archaeologists have been scouring the shoreline that descends from the slopes of the Campi Flegrei for treasures of its opulent past. An ancient mosaic floor, installed at the entrance to a Roman villa, has just turned up in the waters of Naples, near Baiae which was a cloistered seaside getaway for Rome’s elite, home to a villa belonging to Julius Caesar well as those of emperors Augustus, Nero, and Caligula. [Artnet]

With Ray Nashville, real estate companies Ray and VeLa are embarking on their second collaboration, enriched by local arts and culture: a new residential building located in a Nashville neighborhood called Pie Town. “Out with the boring all-white uber-modernist high-rises of today, and in with a curated living experience that pulls the best of its surroundings indoors,” reports Rebecca Goodman. [CULTURED]

THE KICKER

SWIFT SHOW. As of last May, Taylor Swift fans, aka Swifties, have traveled from cities all over the world to see their favorite pop star perform during her 2024 Eras Tour, a global event which is anticipated to collect almost $1 billion in ticket sales. The question is, will they rush to London to see an exhibition about design? This is what curators at the V&A Museum are banking on. Starting on July 27, a show called “Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail” designed by Tom Piper will take over much of the historic venue in South Kensington. The exhibition will showcase ephemera from the singer’s life that celebrates her lyrics and music videos. Also on view are personal instruments, music awards, storyboards, and archival material from Swift’s childhood. The show will run through September 8. [The Architect’s Newspaper]