In New York, MoMA won city approval for its controversial expansion, an 82-story skyscraper designed by Jean Nouvel that will include more exhibition space along with deluxe apartments and a hotel. Originally planned to be as tall as the Empire State Building, the tower lost 225 feet in city negotiations but still angers opponents in midtown, who find the building hubristic and too dwarfing. They might sue to stop it. Another construction project, the arts center proposed for ground zero, is faring less well, with city funds not forthcoming and prospects of it ever getting built diminishing fast. And as part of an intervention at building sites, a band of artists whitewashed illegal advertisements plastered up on scaffolding and construction barriers, replacing the posters with their own work. Several got arrested in the process.
http://artwelove.com/insights/archives/2009/10/29/next-news-1/