— Judge Approves Corcoran Merger: After an activist group’s last-ditch attempt to preserve the Corcoran’s autonomy, a DC judge has ruled that the museum can merge with National Gallery of Art and George Washington University. “I realize it’s come out of a long, complicated, and difficult time in history,” said Earl A. “Rusty” Powell III, director of the National Gallery. “I think the solution saves the collection for Washington. It saves the school and moves it into a great university.” [WP]
— Amy Poehler Pokes Fun at the Art World: In a new commercial for Old Navy, comedian Amy Poehler pokes fun at art world clichés while playing a haughty blonde dealer who says exactly what many art worlders wish they could. “This is a challenging piece, and would be good for your collection. It’s so stupid it’s hard to understand, and that can be interesting,” she says, presumably about the art, but actually about the Old Navy jeans — which she guesses are by a “short, bald,” German artist who “has a lot of animals.” She closes the bit venting about her financial woes. [HuffPo]
— Francesca Grillo Gets Into Art Business: Francesca Grillo, Nigella Lawson’s former personal assistant who was accused of £685,000 in fraud, is getting into the art business with Sharrine Scholtz, another former employee of the Charles Saatchi household. The pair describes their new project, which will involve dealing and pop-up exhibitions, as “like an abstract Factory – a bit like what Warhol did.” [The Guardian]
— Smithsonian Adds LGBT Objects to Its Collection: The Smithsonian will gain hundreds of historic LGBT objects, photos, and documents, including some from the TV show “Will and Grace,” for its collection today. [Washington Times]
— NYC Commissioner Objects to Graffiti Exhibition: “I find it outrageous that one of the city’s museums is currently celebrating graffiti and what a great impact it had on the city,” said New York City police commissioner William Bratton, referring to the Museum of the City of New York’s current exhibition, “City as Canvas.” [WSJ]
— Phillips to Sell Photos From Art Institute of Chicago: Phillips will auction off 117 deaccessioned photographs from the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, including Henri Cartier-Bresson’s 1933 print of Córdoba, Spain, which is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000. [Art Daily]
— Christie’s is being sued for allegedly selling a fake artwork by Australian artist Albert Tucker. [TAN]
— Ron Perelman has subpoenaed Larry Gagosian in his suit against the dealer. [NY Post]
— The Whitney is going to be open on Mondays for the rest of the run of its Jeff Koons retrospective. [NYT]
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