The exclusive collecting platform Basic.Space has announced its expansion to New York City, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth following its successful Los Angeles debut earlier this year. The invitation-only platform will host its first New York City collectible showcase this November, bringing together rare design pieces, contemporary art, and high-end fashion in a curated environment.
The upcoming New York event will span an impressive 20,000 square feet, featuring collaborations with renowned names including fashion designer Kris Van Assche, streetwear brand KidSuper, audio specialist Devon Turnbull, and creative collective MSCHF. The showcase will feature diverse installations ranging from Turnbull's high-fidelity listening room to works from prestigious galleries such as Friedman Benda and Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Additionally, the event will display archival objects that were once owned by the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, adding a touch of fashion history to the collection.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns are rising as Alphabet has filed plans for a massive data center in England that could generate nearly 570,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. This emission level is roughly equivalent to 500 short-haul flights per week, raising significant questions about the environmental impact of expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure. The proposed complex would spread across more than 120 acres and represents one of several hyperscale facilities being considered as Britain seeks to expand its computing capacity for AI development.
British officials defend the project as critical to national security and economic growth, while environmental campaigners warn that it will accelerate emissions and put additional strain on the country's already limited energy and water supplies. The proposal comes at a time when the United Kingdom is actively pursuing multibillion-dollar deals with major American technology companies, including Nvidia and OpenAI, as part of its strategy to secure a competitive position in the global artificial intelligence race.
In cultural news, Seoul's status as an international art hub continues to rise with the opening of the Museum of Modern Art's first standalone bookstore outside of New York. Located in the upscale Apgujeong district's Dosan Park, the new MoMA bookstore offers more than 1,100 titles covering exhibition catalogs, contemporary art, design, and photography. The store also features exclusive editions and design objects from MoMA's extensive archive, providing Seoul residents and visitors with direct access to the museum's curated selection.
This Seoul bookstore project represents an extension of MoMA's long-standing partnership with Hyundai Card, which has supported various cultural initiatives including the innovative MoMA Digital Wall that creates a virtual connection between Seoul and New York. The opening strengthens Seoul's growing reputation as a major destination for artists, collectors, and global tastemakers in the contemporary art world.
The Miami art scene is also experiencing significant changes with the appointment of José Carlos Diaz as the new chief curator of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), effective this October. Diaz brings extensive experience from his previous role at the Seattle Art Museum, where he successfully led exhibitions across three different sites and organized major shows featuring artists such as Alexander Calder and Anila Quayyum Agha. His impressive resume also includes curatorial leadership at The Andy Warhol Museum and positions at both Tate Liverpool and The Bass in Miami Beach.
Diaz's return to Miami, where he originally began his career, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to PAMM's exhibition programming. Museum officials anticipate that he will develop exhibitions that effectively connect Miami's unique local stories and cultural identity with broader global perspectives, enhancing the museum's role in the international art community.
The art world is also turning its attention to Paris, where Director Chris Dercon is preparing for the highly anticipated reopening of the Fondation Cartier this fall. The foundation will debut in a striking new space located directly across from the iconic Louvre Museum. Dercon, known for his influential tenure across Europe's leading museums and theaters, has garnered both critical acclaim and occasional controversy throughout his distinguished career in arts leadership.
The Paris debut will feature an ambitious exhibition showcasing 500 works from the foundation's extensive holdings, displayed in innovative galleries designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel. The new space will incorporate flexible, shifting floors that can be reconfigured to accommodate different types of exhibitions and installations, representing a cutting-edge approach to museum design and visitor experience.
