The Archives

2013

“The forces driving the bidding in these salerooms right now are much bigger than either Christie’s or Sotheby’s—or even the art market,” wrote Newsweek of the competition among major auction houses. “Over the past five years, a huge wave of global wealth has been swelling, transforming markets and industries across the globe.” Since 2013, the number of the world’s billionaires almost doubled from 1,426 to 2,668. In 2021, Sotheby’s and Christie’s sales each amounted to about $7 billion. In May, Christie’s sold Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn for a record $195 million.

1983

“‘The Day After’ has already emerged as the single biggest mobilizing point for the antinuclear movement,” Newsweek said, forcing us “to graphically experience the groundzero agonies.” Fear of nuclear war still grips the world today. Last month, NATO kicked off nuclear drills amid Russia war tensions.

1992

“The real message of Malcolm’s life is about ‘the ability to change,’” wrote Newsweek of Malcolm X two days before Spike Lee’s biographical film premiered. “His real intent… was to offer a psychological alternative: a way of talking back, if not fighting back.” This year, the two men convicted of killing Malcolm X were exonerated.