Italian basilica destroyed in latest quake
30 October
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck central Italy between the Umbria and Marche regions and brought down the 14th-century Basilica of San Benedetto in the town of Norcia. It was the fourth tremor in three months in the region and followed a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on 24 August, which killed almost 300 people. Paolo Iannelli, an engineer and member of the Italian culture ministry’s “crisis unit”, has been appointed as special superintendent to oversee damage to heritage in the region.
Six shortlisted to light up 17 London bridges
The Illuminated River initiative has unveiled masterplans from six shortlisted international teams to light up 17 bridges (including two yet to be built) in London as well as part of the Thames riverbanks. The most high-profile proposal, submitted by the London-based Adjaye Associates, involves 16 leading artists including Glenn Ligon, Angela Bulloch and Philippe Parreno. The US artist Leo Villareal is behind the masterplan by the London-based firm Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
Ancient Nimrud ziggurat bulldozed by extremists
One of the tallest surviving structures from the ancient world was destroyed by Isil extremists at Nimrud, the former capital of Assyria, which was recaptured by Iraqi government forces on 13 November. In the past few years Isil has attacked figurative sculptures that it claims are anti-Islamic, but it is unclear why the ziggurat, which probably had no archaeological material in its core, was targeted. The massive 2,900-year-old Assyrian structure was obliterated and bulldozed into the Tigris river.
Beijing museum ignores Anselm Kiefer’s protest
Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum opened its Anselm Kiefer exhibition despite the artist’s protests that the show has been organised without his consent. In its statement, the museum stressed that its exhibition was motivated by “admiration for and recognition of Mr Kiefer and his artistic achievements”. The German artist says the museum has falsely implied that he has endorsed the show, and has called for what is his first show in China to be cancelled.
Jeff Koons offers a bouquet to Paris
The US artist Jeff Koons has unveiled plans for a commemorative sculpture in Paris, modelled on the Statue of Liberty and inspired by a Picasso lithograph, to honour the victims of the terrorist attacks in the city in November last year. The 11m-high work will feature a hand holding a bouquet of tulips. It is due to be installed next year on the Place de Tokyo outside the Musée d’Art Moderne.