News: Imperial War Museum to mark 9/11 anniversary
Plus: Florence Nightingale Museum to close
friday briefing - 8 January 2021
Happy new year! In just the first 7 days of 2021 we’ve seen the rapid escalation of deaths and infections in the global pandemic, and an attempted coup in the land of the free to subvert the democratic will of the people. And we thought 2020 was bad.
In the world of museums, it’s been a quiet start to the year. In the UK, the sudden decision to enter lockdown has been a shock, not least because the likelihood of reopening before March is slim. It might be a while before we are stepping through the doors again.
But, I will still be here each Friday bringing you all the museum and art news you need to know. And my fortnightly magazine edition of this newsletter continues to get bigger and better: I’m delighted to say my first interview of the new year is with former Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey, who has recently been ennobled into the House of Lords. That interview will land in your inbox on Tuesday and I’m really excited to bring it to you.
If you find this newsletter useful, chances are your friends and colleagues will too. So why not help them make 2021 better by recommending them to subscribe. You can use this button below to share.
For now, happy reading!
“We saw the writing on the wall.” The global pandemic is killing off the museum dedicated to the pioneer of modern nursing. How’s that for tragic irony. The Florence Nightingale Museum will close due to the financial impact of covid. BBC News
Museum SOS. Another museum whose future is in doubt is hoping to crowdfund to claw back some of the £200,000 it’s lost due to covid. The campaign by the People’s History Museum in Manchester is backed by stars including Sir Ian McKellen, Melvyn Bragg and Julie Hesmondhalgh. BBC News
20 years on. Unbelievably, this year marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the single deadliest terror attack in human history. The Imperial War Museum has announced it will mark the important anniversary with a series of events. The Guardian
Saved! A record £65 million worth of objects have been accepted for the nation in lieu of tax this year. They include the archive of a barrister who defended Penguin Books over its publication of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Belfast Telegraph
Financial scandal. Fifa has launched legal action over the creation of the $563m World Football Museum in Zurich. It alleges its former president Sepp Blatter was part of a “suspected criminal mismanagement” of the project. Financial Times
All aboard. A surreal cityscape of miniature skyscrapers hangs from the ceiling of the vast new expansion of Pennsylvania Station in New York. It’s the work of brilliant Scandinavian duo Elmgreen & Dragset. More art at train stations please! The Spaces
See the stunning Moynihan Train Hall and it’s stunning new artworks at Penn station New York.
Sculpture vandalised. One of Richard Serra’s largest public works, set in the remote Qatari desert, has been defaced AGAIN! The Art Newspaper
The cold never bothered me anyway. I reallllly wish I could travel to visit this: Damien Hirst is taking over the city of St Moritz with over 40 art works going on display. The highlight is a 12ft-tall sculpture The Monk placed directly in the center of the frozen Lake St Moritz. The Times
Life imitating art. Need a laugh? (who doesn’t). Here are social media snaps of people posing with their doppelgängers in paintings. Some of these are quite good! Mail Online
and a bonus read
Let’s look forward to the year ahead. There are number of incredible new buildings being unveiled in 2021, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles and the beautiful Lambeth Palace Library in London. The Sunday Times rounds up the best ones to add to your to-visit list.
All the content in this newsletter is provided to you for free. If you enjoy it, please consider donating to me a £3 digital coffee (or 2).