Museum U-Turns, Auction Fever, and Shady Files

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news. Belgium Scraps Plans to Dismantle Its Oldest Contemporary Art Museum https://news.artnet.com/art-world/m-hka-will-not-be-dismantled-2742905 Venice Biennale 2026: all the national pavilions, artists and curators so far https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/02/04/venice-biennale-2026-all-the-national-pavilions-artists-and-curators-so-far Stephen Friedman Gallery goes into administration after 30 years https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/02/04/stephen-friedman-gallery-goes-into-administration-after-30-years Prominent art world figures named in latest Epstein files, including France's ex-culture minister Jack Lang https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/02/04/prominent-art-world-figures-named-in-latest-epstein-files-including-frances-ex-culture-minister-jack-lang Art Basel Qatar VIP day: fair’s debut encourages patience https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/02/04/art-basel-qatar-vip-day-fair-debut-encourages-patience New Details Revealed for Planned Saudi Museum in AlUla https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/planned-saudi-contemporary-art-museum-new-details-announced-1234772293/ Epstein Files Detail Gruesome Allegations Against Leon Black https://hyperallergic.com/epstein-files-detail-gruesome-allegations-against-leon-black/ Outrage Over Israeli Plans to Seize Palestinian Archaeological Site https://hyperallergic.com/outrage-over-israeli-plans-to-seize-palestinian-archaeological-site/ Deborah Jack’s Immersive Elegy for Water https://hyperallergic.com/deborah-jacks-immersive-elegy-for-water/ Rare Rembrandt Drawing Nets Record-Smashing $18 Million at Auction https://news.artnet.com/market/rembrandt-saudi-arabia-2738322