— Banderas to Play Picasso: Antonio Banderas has announced that “the time has come” for him to play Pablo Picasso, opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, in an upcoming film project titled “33 dias.” Directed by Carlos Saura, the film will focus on the making of “Guernica.” “I turned down the chance at one point of playing Mr. Pablo, but the time has come in my life where I understand him better,” Banderas said. [Fox News Latino]
— Syria’s Heritage Sites Damaged by War: Despite UNESCO’s efforts to protect all six of Syria’s World Heritage sites, historic areas of the region are feeling the effects of war through physical damage and rampant looting. Medieval markets in the city of Aleppo have been gutted due to shelling, and occupation by insurgents has damaged one of the world’s best-preserved Crusader castles, the Crac des Chevaliers. Archaeologists at Palmyra are still being paid, though they’re unable to work at the excavation site, which is under military guard. [NYT]
— Switzerland Names Biennale Pick: Zurich-based artist Pamela Rosencranz will represent Switzerland at next year’s Venice Biennale. “With unexpected references to topics we encounter in the generated images and overabundant information of everyday life, Pamela Rosenkranz creates links that enable us to see things in an unexpectedly connected way while haunting and alienating us at the same time,” said the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia. [Artforum]
— Artists to Recreate Human Zoo: Artists Mohamed Ali Fadlabi and Lars Cuzner are planning to recreate “The Congo Village,” a human zoo brought to Norway in 1914 that put 80 African people on display. [TAN]
— Chicago Plans Fireworks Piece: Judy Chicago is creating a giant butterfly-shaped fireworks display in Prospect Park. [DNAinfo]
— RIP Edward J. Sozanski: Longtime Philadelphia Inquirer art critic Edward J. Sozanski has passed away at 77. [Philly]
— Visitors vandalized pre-Raphaelite paintings and an outdoor statue at the Delaware Museum of Art with stickers. [Delaware Online]
— Art handlers working for the Chicago-based company Mana-Terry Dowd are set to vote on joining the Teamsters Local 705 union later this month. [TAN]
— The 2014 BP Portrait shortlist has been released and includes only male artists this year. [The Guardian]
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