Artforum Editor-in-Chief Resigns Amid Controversy Over Gaza Letter

New York, New York United States of America
David Velasco, editor-in-chief of Artforum, resigned following controversy over a letter supporting a Gaza ceasefire.
Several Artforum editors resigned in protest, and artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman boycotted the magazine.

David Velasco, the editor-in-chief of Artforum, has resigned from his position following a controversy over a letter he published in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. The letter, which was published in May 2023, was signed by over 100 artists and called for a boycott of Israeli cultural institutions in response to the country's actions in Gaza. The letter sparked a backlash, with critics accusing Velasco of promoting a boycott of Israel and of failing to provide a balanced view of the conflict.

In response to the controversy, several Artforum editors resigned in protest, including senior editor Chloe Wyma and associate editor Brian Droitcour. The resignations were followed by a boycott of the magazine by artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman, who withdrew their work from the publication.

Velasco's resignation was announced in a statement by Artforum's publisher, Knight Landesman, who said that the magazine would continue to support freedom of expression and the rights of artists. The statement also said that Artforum would conduct a search for a new editor-in-chief.

The controversy over the letter and Velasco's resignation has sparked a debate about the role of art publications in political issues and the limits of editorial freedom.


Confidence

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  • The exact reasons for Velasco's resignation are not explicitly stated in the sources.

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  • Unique Points
    • The article provides a detailed account of the resignation of Artforum editors following David Velasco’s firing.
    • It also provides unique insights into the reasons behind the mass resignation.
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    • The article seems to lean towards the side of the resigning editors, portraying them in a sympathetic light.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
      • Artnews is owned by Penske Media Corporation, which also owns a variety of other media outlets. This could potentially lead to conflicts of interest if the corporation has a vested interest in the topics covered.
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        • The author, Alex Greenberger, does not appear to have any direct conflicts of interest related to the topic of the article.

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          • The article provides unique information about the boycott faced by Artforum following the firing of David Velasco.
          • It also provides unique insights into the reactions of artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman.
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          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
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          None Found At Time Of Publication
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          • The article seems to lean towards the side of the boycotting artists, portraying them in a sympathetic light.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
            • The New York Times is owned by The New York Times Company, a corporation with various media interests. This could potentially lead to conflicts of interest if the corporation has a vested interest in the topics covered.
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              • The author, Robin Pogrebin, does not appear to have any direct conflicts of interest related to the topic of the article.

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              • Unique Points
                • The article provides unique information about the firing of Artforum editor David Velasco over a Gaza letter.
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                No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
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                None Found At Time Of Publication
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                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (80%)
                • The article seems to lean towards the side of Artforum, portraying the firing of David Velasco as justified.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
                  • Ynetnews is owned by Yedioth Ahronoth Group, one of the largest media groups in Israel. This could potentially lead to conflicts of interest if the group has a vested interest in the topics covered.
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    • The author, Itamar Eichner, does not appear to have any direct conflicts of interest related to the topic of the article.

                    91%

                    • Unique Points
                      • The article provides unique information about the firing of Artforum Editor in Chief David Velasco after a Gaza ceasefire letter.
                    • Accuracy
                      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                    • Deception (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Fallacies (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Bias (85%)
                      • The article seems to lean towards the side of David Velasco, portraying his firing as unjustified.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
                        • Hyperallergic is a forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today. The site could potentially have conflicts of interest if it has a vested interest in the topics covered.
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                          • The author, Hakim Bishara, does not appear to have any direct conflicts of interest related to the topic of the article.