Pace Gallery’s Post

Koyo Kouoh’s appointment as the Director of the Visual Arts Department for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is a significant milestone, not only for Cape Town and women in the arts industry, but also for the ongoing reconfiguration of power and representation in the global art world. As Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA, Kouoh has consistently demonstrated how art can serve as both a mirror and a tool for societal change, blending curatorial excellence with bold political activism. Through her leadership at Zeitz MOCAA, she has redefined what it means to center African and diaspora voices in the global arts landscape, carving out spaces for stories that challenge, provoke, and inspire. This appointment reflects a growing recognition of the intellectual and political frameworks African leaders bring to global cultural institutions. Kouoh’s trajectory exemplifies how female leadership can reshape institutions—not through adaptation to established norms, but by challenging and redefining them. Her career reminds us that art is not just a medium of beauty but a weapon of resistance and transformation, capable of shaping the narratives of history and the futures we imagine. Her role at La Biennale will undoubtedly extend this impact, positioning art as a site of both reflection and action in an increasingly polarized world. #ArtAndSociety #LeadershipInTheArts #ZeitzMOCAA #KoyoKouoh #LaBiennaleDiVenezia

Good Governance in Art world: A Controversial Case of Accountability and Responsibility in Museum Leadership Augusta Monferini (1934 - 2020), the Director of the National Museum of Modern Art in Rome during the 1980s and 1990s, was held accountable for the theft of a watercolor by French master Paul Cézanne. An Italian court ruled in 1992 that Monferini must reimburse the museum for the estimated value of the stolen artwork, which mysteriously disappeared the previous year. The theft went unnoticed for months, as the watercolor had been stored in the museum’s depot for years. The artwork was only discovered missing by chance, and the thief remained, at the time, unidentified. Despite this, Monferini disputed the accusations, citing the frequent art thefts at major institutions like the Louvre, where she claimed artworks are stolen regularly without causing public uproar. The court considered that Monferini failed in her responsibility to properly oversee the collection and its security, ultimately leading to her accountability in this matter. While the sentence may seem particularly severe, this case highlights the critical issue of accountability in the art world. Public servants entrusted with cultural treasures carry a profound responsibility to safeguard national and international art collections. Protecting these invaluable works is not just about security; it’s about preserving our shared heritage for future generations. As art institutions continue to grow in influence and responsibility, the need for transparent accountability becomes even clearer. Despite the court ruling, Augusta Monferini’s most significant contribution to the art world remains her visionary leadership at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome. Under her guidance, the museum underwent a profound renewal, expanding its collections with iconic works by Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, and a distinguished group of twentieth-century Italian artists, including Giacomo Balla, Giorgio de Chirico, Lucio Fontana, Renato Guttuso, Giuseppe Capogrossi, and many others. Monferini's acquisitions not only enriched the museum’s holdings but were also complemented by major exhibitions held both in Rome and internationally. Her dedication to celebrating Italian masters such as Turcato, Guttuso, de Chirico, Pistoletto, and Paolini played a key role in significantly elevating the museum’s global reputation and legacy. #Governance #ArtCrime #Accountability #ArtProtection #CulturalHeritage #MuseumEthics #Leadership

It's easy to overlook a piece of art when surrounded by many other artworks, especially when it's this small! 🧐 This red-figure squat oil flask (lekythos) decorated with a swan is one of those pieces. It's these types of pieces where you have to ask yourself, "Why is it so small? Did they really only put oil in this thing? And what's the significance of the swan?" Ask these questions! Engage with the art and start the conversation, maybe you'll get new insight. 😉🦢 Attica, Greece; Classical period, ca. 450-400 BCE Ceramic vessel Tampa Museum of Art, Joseph Veach Noble Collection, 1986.082

My new column for TAEX. 👇🏻

🎨 Discover the fusion of nature and geometry in the captivating contemporary art of Antón Aiguabella. From vibrant paintings to sculptures that challenge expectations, Aiguabella's work redefines the relationship between viewer and art. Explore the immersive journey of aesthetic expression in the contemporary art gallery and ponder the fascinating question: Can contemporary art capture the essence of nature? Dive into the sensory dialogue between nature and geometry, and witness how art transforms our perceptions of the world around us. Experience the alchemy of contemporary art that awakens the senses and spirit. Don't miss this profound artistic journey: [Link to the blog post](https://ift.tt/PIFCSdQ)

Whether objects are at home or in a gallery, in storage or on display, there are a few simple steps collectors can take to ensure the art is preserved for generations to come.

Whether objects are at home or in a gallery, in storage or on display, there are a few simple steps collectors can take to ensure the art is preserved for generations to come.

Whether objects are at home or in a gallery, in storage or on display, there are a few simple steps collectors can take to ensure the art is preserved for generations to come.

work of art in the visual arts is a physical two- or three- dimensional object that is professionally determined or otherwise considered to fulfill a primarily independent aesthetic function. A singular art object is often seen in the context of a larger art movement or artistic era, such as: a genre, aesthetic convention, culture, or regional-national distinction.[3] It can also be seen as an item within an artist's "body of work" or oeuvre. The term is commonly used by museum and cultural heritage curators, the interested public, the art patron-private art collector community, and art galleries.[4] #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking