Sotheby's New York auction totals $433 million
Sotheby's New York auction achieved a total of $433 million, highlighted by the sale of a Mark Rothko painting from the collection of the late financier Robert Mnuchin, which sold for $85.8 million, making it the second-highest price ever for the artist at auction. The auction featured 11 lots dedicated to Mnuchin's collection, generating $166.3 million, with all but one lot finding buyers. The overall auction results marked a 130 percent increase compared to the same sales last May.
Austrian artist Valie Export dies at 85
Valie Export, the Austrian performance artist and filmmaker known for her radical explorations of the politics of the body, has died at the age of 85, as announced by her foundation. Export, who passed away in Vienna three days before her 86th birthday, gained prominence in the late 1960s with provocative works such as 'Tap and Touch Cinema' (1968), which challenged societal norms surrounding the female body and audience interaction. Her contributions to feminist art have been recognized as milestones that influenced generations of artists.
Hamaguchi's 'All of a Sudden' Shines at Cannes 2026
Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi's new film, 'All of a Sudden,' has emerged as a standout at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The three-hour drama, a German-Belgian-French co-production, explores the intertwined lives of a French care facility manager, Marie-Lou, played by Virginie Efira, and a Japanese theatre director, Mari, portrayed by Tao Okamoto, who is battling cancer. The film, which incorporates themes of empathy and humanization in elderly care, is based on a documentary book co-written by Maoko Miyano and Maho Isono.
Art Dubai Opens 20th Edition Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Art Dubai opened its 20th edition on May 12, 2026, after a month-long delay due to the US-Israel war in Iran, featuring around 50 exhibitors, a significant reduction from previous years. Despite the geopolitical tensions and a local crowd, the fair reported promising sales, with notable works by artists such as Samira Badran and emerging talents from Dubai attracting attention. Organisers offered free admission to boost attendance, resulting in 16,000 registration requests, reflecting a resilient local art community amidst ongoing regional instability.
Frieze New York 2026 Features 68 Galleries and Notable Artworks
Frieze New York 2026 has opened with 68 galleries from 26 countries participating, marking its 15th year and showcasing a diverse array of artworks across multiple floors of the Shed. Concurrently, a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, _Cupid Complaining to Venus_, previously located in Adolf Hitler's Munich apartment, has been highlighted for its complex provenance, with a photograph of the work in Hitler's home published for the first time in English. Additionally, a photography series by Ajamu X is featured in a discussion with Charlotte Keenan from the Walker Art Gallery.
