Art Outlook: 27 February

Some of the stories, debates and discussions we’ve spotted this week

Sydney Biennale boycott
Five artists have decided to boycott the Sydney Biennale in protest against its major sponsor, Transfield, which is profiting from the Australian government’s controversial mandatory detention centres for asylum seekers.

Protests at the Guggenheim
Concerns have been raised over working conditions on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, where outposts of the Guggenheim, the Louvre and New York University are being built.

Zaha Hadid
Meanwhile, the influential architect Zaha Hadid claimed ‘I have nothing to do with the workers’ when asked for her opinion on recent deaths at the construction sites of Qatar’s world cup stadiums, one of which she designed.

The Corcoran Gallery
David C. Levy, a former director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, has spoken out about the recently-announced takeover plans, and how a string of ‘failures of vision and will hobbled the Corcoran artistically and financially.’

Treasure Trove
A Californian couple have stumbled upon a pot of gold worth $10 million.

Children in Museums
Sarah Crompton argues in The Telegraph that it’s the parents who are responsible for children’s behaviour in museums.

Edible Art
Good enough to eat: the Art Fund is encouraging the UK public to create their own edible masterpieces to raise funds for museums and galleries.