Art Review magazine has published its annual “Power 100″ lists of the art world’s most influential players – and even if you’re more a casual art fan than an all-out industry wonk, it’s a fairly interesting document. While the 2010 rankings placed Larry Gagosian at #1, the top spot is now occupied by an actual artist: Ai Weiwei, who drew an unprecedented show of support from the global art community after being imprisoned by the Chinese government earlier this year. Gagosian, meanwhile, has slipped to #4. Could that be because insiders are sick of watching him bend over backwards for celebrity dilettantes like James Franco and frauds like James Frey? Also interesting: Jeffery Deitch, who was #12 last year, is down to #48 after months of prettyterriblepublicity. The only other artist to crack the gallerist-dominated top ten is Cindy Sherman.
Other boldface names on the list include Marina Abramović (#23), Takashi Murakami (#47), Anish Kapoor (#50), Steve McQueen (#59), Damien Hirst (#64), Slavoj Žižek (#65), Jeff Koons (#66), and Miuccia Prada (#85). Although you could spend all day picking out omissions, we’re especially surprised to see that Christian Marclay — whose video installation The Clock won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale and has probably been the most praised work of art this year — isn’t included. Check out the top ten after the jump, then click over to Art Reviewfor the full list and tell us whether you agree.
1. Despite some truly horrible reviews from critics (particularly Roger Ebert), the alien invasion thriller Battle: Los Angeles conquered the weekend box office, taking in $36 million for a first place finish. Rounding out the top three were Rango ($23 million) and Red Riding Hood ($14.1 million). [via AV Club]
2. Variety is reporting that Academy Award-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) is close to locking down the leading role of Katniss in the upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games. Discuss. [via ComingSoon]
3. A Million Little Pieces author James Frey is teaming up with art-gallery owner Larry Gagosian to release his new book, The Final Testament of the Holy Bible, a kind of racy story about the second coming of Christ which takes place in the Bronx projects. [via Vulture]
4. Someone is leaving hipster traps — baited with Pabst Blue Ribbon, American Spirits, a bike chain and neon-pink Wayfarers — in locations around New York City. [via The Daily What]
5. The Strokes premiered five of the 10 songs from their upcoming album Angles (which is due out on March 22nd) live in Las Vegas on Saturday night; the band’s next stop is SXSW. [via NME]
The award’s ceremony, which was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, was attended by an all-star group of artists, art patrons, politicians, museum directors, gallerists, and celebrities. Among the glamorous crowd were Chuck Close, Jeff Koons, Shirin Neshat, Eli Broad, Vera Wang, Caroline Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Weinberg, Thelma Golden, Lisa Phillips, Larry Gagosian, Tony Shafrazi, Dennis Hopper, and Kerry Washington. Buoyed by an Obama White House, award presenters and recipients relished the social, economic, and diplomatic roles the arts can now play.
1. American Idiot, Green Day’s post-9/11 coming-of-age punk musical, opens today in California. [via Mercury News]
2. ColbertNation.com plans to stream full albums from the show’s musical guests; first up, the Flaming Lips’ Embryonic, which isn’t due in stores until October 13. [via Reuters]
3. Mark your calenders: Spider-Man 4 will hit IMAX theaters on Thursday, May 5, 2011, the same day it bows on normal screens. [via THR]
4. The Huffington Post is launching a new books section on October 5th with reviews courtesy of The New York Review of Books. [via NYO]
5. A first look at famed art dealer Larry Gagosian’s new “bookstore” on the corner of Madison and 77th. [via ArtWeLove]
Because we can’t all escape from our desks to enjoy 72-degree weather and international contemporary art, Flavorpill’s resident guru Paul Laster will be bringing you daily bold-face name littered updates and photos from Art Basel Miami all week. If you missed yesterday’s first installment, read it now.
