Toronto

As summer fades, art world blooms.  “Summer’s fade means the art world’s unofficial hiatus is coming to a close, and the fall season’s chock-full schedule is about to kick in.”  Toronto Star, August 24, 2011

Henderson: No boundaries to artistic ambition.  “When the Royal Ontario Museum said it wanted to mount a show of her art, Judith Snow relished a moment of triumph.” Toronto Star, August 22, 2011

Ottawa

Wyse's wit and whimsy “Like his stories, Alex Wyse’s artistic style never stopped moving and changing. The interactive boxes and chests (in his exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery) evolved into elaborate sculptures, which my journalistic colleague Paul Gessell ably described as how sculpture would look if made by Monty Python's Flying Circus.” Ottawa Citizen, August 22, 2011

Montreal

Quarter-century of expression. Galerie René Blouin's first installation in its new home features work by 14 artists, including Nicolas Baier.  Montreal Gazette, August 20, 2011

New York

Suit Against MoMA Highlights Time-Limit Rule in Nazi Looting Claims A lawsuit filed by heirs of the painter George Grosz highlights the statute of limitations for claims of wartime theft. New York Times, August 24, 2011

Jewish Museum Picks Director From Art World The Jewish Museum has chosen Claudia Gould, director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, as its new director, replacing Joan Rosenbaum, who is retiring.  New York Times, August 24, 2011

Director of International Center of Photography to Step Down ...Mr. Hartshorn, 60, said he had been grappling with Parkinson’s disease since about 2004 and that about five years ago he informed the board of his situation. He was invited to continue at the helm of the center, a move that he said was “a very humane thing that reflects well on this organization.” New York Times, August 24, 2011

Mill Run, Pennsylvania

Falling for Fallingwater.  Witold Rybczynski looks at Fallingwater as it turns 75. August 24, 2011

Washington

How Earthquake Engineer (and Smithsonian head) Wayne Clough Rode Out the "Shear Wave".  Few museum professionals are as qualified as Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough to evaluate Tuesday’s East Coast earthquake. Culturegrrl, August 23, 2011

London

David Cameron Puts A Tracey Emin Work In No. 10 Downing Street Jonathan Jones: "This week's unveiling of a neon artwork by Tracey Emin in 10 Downing Street looks very much like an attempt to balance the new image of Cameron the moral conservative backlash-surfer with a sop to contemporary cultural cool. For any remaining liberal supporters of the coalition, don't despair – here's an Emin to show how modern Cameron really is." The Guardian (UK) August 22, 2011 

Paris

Jane Avril: Looking At The Real Woman In Toulouse-Lautrec's Art The star of the Moulin Rouge was the abused daughter of a Paris courtesan; much of the public's fascination with her dancing was because of the sudden spasms she experienced due to a neuromuscular disorder; her first experiences performing were as an inmate at a hospital. The Smart Set, August 17, 2011 

Venice

The Latest Threat To Venice: Padlocks On Bridges "Inspired by a bestselling romantic novel, young lovers are rushing to attach padlocks to the city's historic Rialto bridge, risking damage to the stonework and requiring policemen with bolt cutters to remove them." The Guardian (UK) August 23, 2011

Cairo

New Antiquities Chief Appointed In Egypt Mohamed Abdel Fattah is expected to wield less power than Mr. Hawass, a media celebrity who was credited with increasing tourism and securing the return of antiquities from foreign museums and collectors. New York Times, August 23, 2011 

Japan

Creating Vases From Sand (There's Buddhist Design For You) Designer Yukihiro Kaneuchi uses the principles of a traditional Japanese game called Bou-Toshi: Play "begins as a mound of sand with a pole jammed in the centre. Players take turns removing sand until the pole eventually loses stability and collapses." De Zeen, August 23, 2011 (photo essay)

International

Should Museums Be Reclassified As Educational Institutions? "I've always been rather uncomfortable with the idea that museums are considered to be arts organisations. Not that there is anything wrong with arts organisations, it is just that museums are better characterised as educational resources." The Australian, August 24, 2011