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The Headlines
CLAUDE LÉVÊQUE CHILD RAPE INVESTIGATION. New details have emerged into the ongoing investigation of child rape charges against French artist Claude Lévêque, as another alleged victim joins the case. The French daily Libération has published an in-depth report into the allegations against the decorated 72-year-old artist, who represented his country at the 2009 Venice Biennale. Several men have reportedly accused Lévêque of raping them while they were children, and a recent claim within France’s statue of limitations was added in November of last year, following a first complaint made in 2019. Lévêque’s neon artwork has since been pulled from exhibitions, and his gallery suspended representation. Libération spoke with six men, aged 35 to 60, who claim to be victims of sexual abuse by the artist, and have published their findings in three parts. Reporters describe “the toxicity of a system” in which Lévêque manipulated his victims and their families, managing to befriend parents who allowed their sons, typically beginning around age 10 until about age 17, to spend time alone and overnight with the artist. The children joined him on trips to glamorous art events where they were presented as his assistants, and often contributed to Lévêque’s artworks in a variety of ways. Lévêque has admitted to having sexual relations with at least some of the accusers, though he has reportedly said they were 15 at the time, and that their intercourse was consensual.
Related Articles
FOLLOW YOUR NOSE. ARTnews Top 200 collector and music mogul David Geffen has filed a 100-page countersuit slamming crypto billionaire Justin Sun for his “sham” legal attempt to get back a $78 million Alberto Giacometti sculpture Geffen purchased from him, reports Artnet News . Hong Kong-based Sun filed a February lawsuit alleging the sculpture, “Le Nez,” was sold without his knowledge, and that Geffen should have known something was amiss in the sale. But Geffen isn’t buying it. “Seller’s remorse is not a basis to sue,” said Geffen’s attorney Tibor Nagy. “Courts of law are the wrong arena for publicity stunts,” he added.
The Digest
Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah al-Thani has won a legal case in London against the New York and Geneva-based Phoenix Ancient Art gallery, for allegedly selling him forged antiquities. The gallery, run by brothers Hicham and Ali Aboutaam, is reportedly appealing the verdict. [The Times]
Maurice Sendak’s art collection is heading to auction. The illustrator and artist collected objects that inspired his practice, and they will be the star of Christie’s June sales. [The New York Times]
Nan Goldin is selling prints to benefit Gaza’s only animal shelter and hospital, Sulala Animal Rescue. The fundraising organization Pictures for Purpose is offering three prints by Goldin priced between $210 and $262, which are of photos she took while traveling in London, Paris, and Mexico City. [Hyperallergic]
Two convicted climate activists from the group Last Generation, have been pardoned for gluing their hands to the frame of Raphael’s Sistine Madonna in the Dresden Old Masters Picture Gallery in 2022. They have already paid for damages to the Dresden State Art Collections. [dpa]
The Kicker
COMIC ARTIS ROBERT CRUMB recently headed to the Whitney Museum to look back at a few old friends — his psychedelic sketches, and other inspiring artworks — with the New Yorker’s Bruce Handy. The visit, including Crumb-biographer and curator Dan Nadel, was also in preparation for the New York museum’s fall-scheduled group exhibition “Sixties Surreal,” which will include Crumb’s artworks in dialogue with the Surrealism of the 1930’s and 40’s. During their conversation, Crumb touches on his biography, his interest in depictions of “powerful” women, and managed to poked fun at market interest in his practice. In fact, his dealer has been “frickin’ pitching” rough sketches that Crumb does on restaurant placemats, food stains and all, he quipped. “The final product isn’t a piece of finished art – it’s the printed book,” added the artist. “For me, the thrill is always seeing a book. It’s all there.”