Next stop for Hadid — Project Runway: Haute-friendly firm ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS unveiled its design today for a flagship NEIL BARRETT store in Tokyo. The concept shifts between masculine and feminine contours, mixing architecture with sculpture, and drawing inspiration from Barrett’s own fashion. It will open next year, just in time to buy a pair of Hadid’s limited-edition shoes for Lacoste. [The Architects’ Journal]
Foster to help nerdy New York kids: British starchitect NORMAN FOSTER has been commissioned for a major renovation of the NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY. Chosen from more than 30 candidates, Foster will create a new circulation library and revamp the basement, making reading rooms for children and teenagers. The renovation is expected to cost $250 million and be completed by 2013. [Artinfo]
London says cheerio to Banksy mural: Last week, the Westminster City Council ruled that a 23-foot mural by the notorious street artist BANKSY must be removed. The mural, ONE NATION UNDER CCTV, portrays a graffiti artist painting the slogan onto a wall while being watched by a policeman with a camera — a criticism of security cameras that have become ubiquitous in London. If they’re smart, they’ll put it on eBay. [NYT]
Financial crisis = Frieze fail: London’s FRIEZE ART FAIR did not fare as well as expected on Sunday, as many pieces sold for less than anticipated and many big names went unsold. No one bid on works by high-profile artists like JEFF KOONS, JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT and GERHARD RICHTER. The fair netted a meager $55.5 million after setting itself up for up to $132 million. [Gawker]
Scientology must freak out Prince: LOUIS VUITTON collaborator and famed artist RICHARD PRINCE declined to work with TOM CRUISE and KATIE HOLMES after they approached him about a potential project. “…I’m not going there; there’s no connection for me,” he told WWD at the opening of his new exhibition in Paris. [British Vogue]
– Iza Wojciechowska