Link About It: This Week’s Picks
Saving Nina Simone’s childhood home, making better bubbles, and more in our look around the web
1. Art Show Inspired by Philando Castile
Open now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (and free to the public), “Art and Healing: In the Moment” is a show inspired by Philando Castile—a man whose brutal death at the hands of police after being pulled over for what should have been just a traffic stop was not only heinous, but also filmed by his girlfriend. The exhibition is made up of works by 15 local artists, and came to be when Castile’s mother suggested it—as she had received several gifts from artists who were touched by his death. Open during regular museum hours, there will also be a designated quiet space for those who need a moment to reflect afterwards.
2. Winemakers Tap Scientists for Better Bubbles
Funded by the Wine Australia organization, with additional support from several winemakers, a new scientific study is underway to improve Tasmanian wine quality and bubbles—as well as increase cost efficiency during the maturation process. Led by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, the study explores various winemaking techniques and specifically the practice of autolysis, which dates back to the Romans. This process, frequently used in premium and sparkling wines, grants creaminess in place of astringency. With all of this research and technological developments, Tasmanian wines are also seeking regional protections, much like those in France. More at ABC Australia.
3. David Adjaye’s First New York Skyscraper: 130 William
Every once in a while NYC gets a skyline addition that contributes to the city in almost untold ways. 130 William is just that. Architect David Adjaye’s in-development masterwork happens to be his first skyscraper ever, and it stretches up 800 feet, comprising 66 stories and 244 residences. Rather than use glass and steel, Adjaye employs custom, hand-cast stonework on the facade, both unexpected and extraordinary. Further, arches define the exterior, alluding to the residences (and upper-floor balconies) just beyond. It’s a nod to historic masonry architecture, but over 20,000 square feet of modern-day amenities exist within (including an IMAX theater, health club and private roof deck). The building is expected to reach completion in 2020, as will a public park at its base, also designed by Adjaye. Read more and see all the photos at Wallpaper*.
4. Yayoi Kusama at MoMA PS1’s “Rockaway!”
Yes, Yayoi Kusama’s “Narcissus Garden” at MoMA PS1’s “Rockaway! 2018” installation will be a social media sensation, as is everything the artist does these days. The work, which debuted back in 1966, will feature 1,500 mirrored stainless steel spheres—this time placed in the former train garage along the beach. It’s a spectacular setting for an artist known for visual splendor. But there’s more at play here: “Rockaway!” is a free public art festival that celebrates the recovery of the Rockaway Peninsula following Hurricane Sandy—and stimulates further recovery. It’s a valuable program in a destination of great importance to NYC. Find out more at MoMA.
5. Nina Simone’s Childhood Home Saved and Made National Treasure
Beloved singer, pianist and activist Nina Simone grew up in a small house in Tryon, North Carolina—and over the years it’s been bought and sold several times, with some owners investing in its restoration. But recently the home was falling into disrepair, until last year several artists—Ellen Gallagher, Rashid Johnson, Julie Mehretu and Adam Pendleton—joined forces and bought it for $95K in order to save it. Now, its restoration will be the first project for the National Trust’s new African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Not only that, but it’s been officially designated a National Treasure, so it won’t be left abandoned or misused again. Read more at Art News.
6. Carlos Cruz-Diez Expresses Color Through Time and Space
For decades, the work of Venezuela-born, Paris-based artist Carlos Cruz-Diez has tantalized and transfixed—illusion-like but incisive. The 94-year-old artist’s pieces catch eyes at exhibitions and art fairs the world over for their participatory take on color through space and time. To celebrate this, and their 25-year partnership with Art Basel, UBS built their VIP lounge in Switzerland around their collection of Cruz-Diez art. Many of the pieces were exhibited together for the first time. And the result was a transformative destination that began and ended the famed Swiss art fair as a highlight. See more images online at Frame.
7. Archaeologists Dig at Woodstock ’69 Festival Field
When digging at the famed Woodstock ’69 festival field (located in Bethel, New York—actually about 50 miles from Woodstock itself) archaeologists weren’t looking for love beads, a tassel from Jimi Hendrix’s jacket, or some of the Grateful Dead’s left-over acid tabs. Project director Josh Anderson says, “The overall point of this investigation is to kind of define the stage space… We can use this as a reference point” in order to figure out the lay of the land during the festival. Their work will help with The Museum at Bethel Woods, which is planning walking routes for the concert’s 50th anniversary next year. Find out more at Spin.
8. Instagram’s New Long-Form Video App, IGTV
For anyone who’s opened an Instagram story (and found themselves watching every single one that follows) comes IGTV—Instagram’s new standalone app and in-app feature. It displays long-form vertical video content from everyone you already follow (and some personal recommendations). The independent app will start off advertisement-free, but that’s likely to change. As for creating content, users can upload video up to 10 minutes in length for most accounts, and up to an hour for accounts with larger followings. Offering unlimited length videos is a future desire for the company. The app is now available. Read more at The Verge.
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning.
