Our most-talked-about stories in Art, Design & Architecture, Fashion & Style, and Performing Arts, August 27-31, 2012:
ART
— A Japanese scientist argued that van Gogh was colorblind, and his paintings look better through that lens. Kyle Chayka asked: Does biology really impact aesthetics?
— Chloe Wyma digested the highlights of this week’s Gallery Girls episode, from the girls’ burgeoning dreams of art stardom to bathroom catfights, strange sexual politics, and unsubtle racism.
— Peter Blum and Waterhouse & Dodd exited Soho, leading the rush of galleries out of the aging art neighborhood, which is quickly losing ground to the Upper and the Lower East Sides.
— Modern Painters magazine previewed the 100 best shows to see around the world this fall, from Darren Bader in London to Mickalene Thomas in New York.
— NYU grads launched a massive art incubator for young artists and curators in Tribeca, hoping to work like a “tech start-up” for the art world.
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
— Sculptor and designer Wendell Castle spoke to Janelle Zara about breaking down the boundary between furniture and art in his new exhibition at the Aldrich Museum.
— SANAA’s Kazuyo Sejima, part of the team that designed the New Museum, became the Rolex Protégé Program’s first architectural mentor.
— French fashion designer Pierre Cardin designed an 800-foot-tall luxury skyscraper for Venice, but the city’s locals aren’t too happy with it.
— The Venice Architecture Biennale kicked off with a slew of awards, with Alvaro Siza taking home a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and Toyo Ito for Best National Participation.
— Mexican designer Ariel Rojos created a dish rack that comes complete with political commentary on illegal immigration, among other satirical household goods.
FASHION & STYLE
— Reality TV star and designer Kara Laricks spoke to Ann Binlot about her first collection following her win on “Fashion Star.”
— Designers Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs described their “softer and lighter” new collection for Spring 2013.
— Hip menswear label N.Hoolywood designer Daisuke Obana linked his latest collection to street art inspirations.
— We collected the 15 best fashion pinners to follow on Pinboard.
— Veteran artists Ed Ruscha and Nick Cave contributed to Harper’s Bazaar’s September issue.
PERFORMING ARTS
— J. Hoberman asked if director Tony Scott’s death might mean the grounding of "Top Gun 2."
— “The Best Man” actress Elizabeth Ashley spoke to Patrick Pacheco about sex, politics, and the tragedy of Sarah Palin.
— American jazz pianist Henry Butler remembered the golden era of blues revival in the 1990s.
— The good-looking gorefest gangster movie “Lawless,” which pits roughnecks against city slickers, aimed high but fell flat.
— Larry Blumenfeld told the story of Von Freeman, a Chicago tenor sax master who died on August 11.