Several women in colorful niqabs visited the new Marrakesh Museum of Photography and Visual Art to see portraits taken by American photographer Susan Meiselas. The museum, temporarily housed in El Badi Palace, aims to become Northern Africa's first major international photography museum by 2016. The project, supported by the Magnum cooperative and philanthropist Karen Ruimy, seeks to expand its collection and engage local supporters through the MMPVA Foundation, led by managing director David Knaus.

The Tripostal art center in Lille, France, is hosting an exhibition titled 'Happy Birthday Galerie Perrotin,' which has sparked debate over the use of public funds for showcasing private galleries and collections. The exhibition, which examines the 25-year career of gallery owner Emmanuel Perrotin, is one of several recent shows criticized for blurring the lines between public and private interests in the art world. Critics argue that such exhibitions could benefit private owners like Perrotin and François Pinault, whose collection is also on display at the Conciergerie in Paris. Despite concerns, the organizers and participants defend the cultural value of these exhibitions and their role in supporting contemporary art. Public institutions in France and Europe are increasingly relying on private support due to budgetary constraints, a trend that is raising questions about the future of cultural policy and the art market.

Jean Dubuffet's 'Coucou Bazar,' initially premiered in New York and later shown in Paris in 1973, is being revived at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The revival, curated by Sophie Duplaix, features restored costumes and a film of the 1978 Turin performance. The exhibition also includes Dubuffet's 'Welcome Parade' sculpture, coinciding with the FIAC art fair.

EU foreign ministers, led by foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, agreed to suspend security equipment and arms sales to Egypt and to review EU aid to the country in response to recent violence. Ashton condemned the military's actions as disproportionate and called for an inclusive political solution to Egypt's crisis, while ensuring that assistance to the most needy in Egypt would continue.

EU foreign ministers, led by foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, agreed to suspend security equipment and arms sales to Egypt and to review EU aid to the country in response to recent violence. Ashton condemned the military's actions as disproportionate and called for an inclusive political solution to Egypt's crisis, while ensuring that assistance to the most needy in Egypt would continue.

Edgar Degas, a founder of Impressionism, is celebrated for his independent streak and continuous refinement of his work. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen is hosting an exhibition titled 'Degas’s Method,' featuring a broad array of his paintings, pastels, drawings, and sculptures. The exhibition includes 80 works from various collections and highlights Degas's posthumous bronze sculptures, emphasizing their role as insights into his creative process. The museum's approach aims to capture the immediacy and exploratory nature of Degas's work.

Art Basel, a significant art fair, opens in Switzerland amidst a challenging time for galleries, which rely on such fairs for a substantial portion of their annual sales. The Pace Gallery's previous sale of Gerhard Richter's painting for over $20 million highlights the event's importance. However, the cost of participation is high, and while top dealers have seen revenue increases, midsize and smaller dealers face declines. Leading galleries are expanding globally to attract new collectors and provide artists with international exposure, with Larry Gagosian planning a new gallery in London and others like Pace, David Zwirner, and Emmanuel Perrotin also expanding their presence.

The R4 arts complex on Île Seguin in Paris, designed by Jean Nouvel, is set to become a major art hub with artists' studios, gallery spaces, and exhibition halls. The site will host the FIAC art fair and other cultural events, despite construction not yet beginning. The project, led by Nelly Wenger and initiated by Yves Bouvier, aims to integrate with the local community and overcome past urban development challenges. The R4's design pays homage to the Renault 4L and draws inspiration from the Venice Biennale, with a budget estimated between €50 million and €100 million. The complex is expected to open in 2016.

Gallery owners and entrepreneurs are expanding the art scene beyond Paris's Périphérique. Larry Gagosian and Thaddaeus Ropac are opening new expansive gallery spaces in Pantin and Le Bourget, respectively. Ropac's space, designed by Buttazzoni & Associés, features multiple exhibition halls and a multimedia space. Gagosian's gallery, adapted by Jean Nouvel, is located in a 1950s industrial warehouse near Bourget airport and includes unique features like a mezzanine with a drawbridge. Both galleries will open with works by German artist Anselm Kiefer, amidst speculation of a territorial battle between the two dealers.

Vienna celebrates Gustav Klimt's 150th birthday with 10 large-scale exhibitions, portraying him as a multifaceted figure: a careerist, a scandalous trailblazer, and a portraitist of strong femininity. His legacy ranges from masterpieces to tourist kitsch. The Wien Museum, holding the largest collection of Klimt drawings, and the Leopold Museum, which contrasts his public and private personas, are among the institutions showcasing his work. The Belvedere museum focuses on his Golden Period, while MAK exhibits preparatory drawings for the Stoclet Palace frieze. Despite his success, Klimt lived modestly and his romantic relationships remain a topic of speculation. The city's museums also address the commercialization of Klimt's work, with the Wien Museum even hosting a 'Worst of Klimt' contest to highlight the most bizarre reproductions.