Has the Art Market Lost its Mind?

The Financial Times provides More evidence that the art market is bananas: "We didn’t need somebody to buy a banana for $120,000 to tell us that art collectors frequently have more money than sense. Such “ready-made” japes have been causing controversy since Marcel Duchamp first proposed his urinal over a century ago. But there is something about the timing of this furore — which saw collectors shell out $120,000 for editions of a banana, entitled “Comedian”, duct-taped to a wall by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan at Art Basel Miami Beach — that feels particularly distasteful."

That time when Angelique Kidjo covered an entire Talking Heads album ....

"Almost a year to the day later, Kidjo released her own dramatically different, but still strangely faithful, version of “Remain in Light.” The original album was a trailblazing and esoteric art rock/Afrobeat hybrid heavily influenced by Fela Kuti; Kidjo’s version is earthier, powered by African percussion and chanting choirs. “Remain in Light” is in some ways a distinctly American rock album, but Kidjo figured that since rock was originally cobbled together from African musical styles like R&B and the blues, rock is essentially African, too."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/how-angelique-kidjos-love-of-a-talking-heads-classic-turned-into-one-of-the-years-most-vibrant-albums/2018/08/03/6b9c64b4-94c9-11e8-810c-5fa705927d54_story.html

Japan's Art Island: Naoshima

Very much looking forward to visiting next month!

"Naoshima, commonly known as Japan’s art island, is a tiny island in the Seto Inland Sea, and one of our absolute favorite places in Japan.

Until the early 1990s, Naoshima was a remote and sleepy island, but — thanks in large part to an art-loving Japanese businessman’s vision — it has gradually become one of the world’s most unique destinations for art lovers and travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences.

The island was included in National Geographic’s 19 Places to Indulge Yourself, featuring tips from Boutique Japan founder Andres Zuleta!"