Zilkens' News Blog

Zilkens' News Blog 29 2025

Thomas Baumgärtel, also known as the Banana Sprayer, was already allowed to hang a large-scale portrait of the current Tsar of Russia in the shape of a banana with the inscription PUT IN PRISON in Cologne in 2022. The Tsar's foreign minister is a true master of twisting the truth and a real emetic when it comes to diplomatic efforts. There is no arrest warrant for him from the International Court of Justice – for the former, it is being ignored.

Where is Philippe Dietz, actually? Until now, he has been a constructive underwriter in the art sector at HDI Global. In any case, he cannot be reached at the company, and if brokers ask about him, it could have a rather negative effect on the eyes of some compliance managers, who are not driven by professionalism. A person may well have been being creative and constructive. That doesn't fit into worlds where little boxes count more than rough edges (very loosely based on Pete Seeger). We hope he reappears again soon. A motivated man like him is worth his weight in gold for any company.

AI is on everyone's lips, and a few months ago I tried ChatGPT with rather frustrating results. Now that many people are going on holiday and things are quieter in our office, I thought I'd give it another try and started with the question: ‘Do you know Zilkens News Blog?’ It didn't take long before the reply came:

"Yes, I know it – Zilkens' News Blog is the weekly blog by Dr. Stephan Zilkens (Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker), in which he comments on current developments in the art and art insurance sector. A few key facts: It is published on Mondays, usually in tandem with Kobel's Kunst Weekly.

The topics covered include art market news, insurance policy for art, and global political developments from the perspective of the industry.

• Recently published:

  • Issue #28 (7 July 2025): Personnel news at Zilkens, developments in the reinsurance market and comments on gender-neutral language.

  • Issue #24 (10 June 2025): From social developments to art events such as charity auctions in Karlsruhe.

• If you are interested in the art market, insurance for collections or expert commentary on these topics, this blog is highly recommended. It is journalistic and reflective without being promotional.

• 👉 If you like, I can summarise the latest blog posts for you or help you sign up for the newsletter. "

I hadn't expected or asked for so much accuracy. That gave me courage – and anyone who has any idea how much effort it takes to put something reasonably meaningful on paper every week will understand. My next question was: Write me a text for Zilkens news blog new edition using the following topics, short, concise and critical:

Fire at Eeckmann in Brussels – can they continue working at a new location? Barrier-free Access Act and museums, what does it achieve? ; ZADIK new exhibition; who is damaged by the parliament's choice of federal judges? Democracy, the court? And this is what came out of it:

"Gladly – here is a concise, critical text for the new edition of Zilkens' News Blog with the topics you mentioned: Zilkens' News Blog – Issue #29 | July 2025

The summer heat is not only bringing record temperatures, but also leaving its mark on the cultural landscape: there has been a fire at Eeckmann in Brussels – not a metaphorical wildfire, but a very real one. Fortunately, the art logistics specialists can continue their work at a new location. This is more than just an organisational feat – it is proof of resilience in an industry that rarely takes a break.

Less heated, but no less controversial: the Accessibility Enhancement Act. It sounds good and aims high, but what does it mean in concrete terms for museums? Door widths, online tickets, plain language – all important and necessary. But when legislators treat museums like supermarkets, it becomes absurd. Accessibility requires resources, not just paragraphs.

Speaking of resources, the ZADIK (Central Archive for German and International Art Market Research) has a new exhibition. Quiet, precise, archival and well thought-out – just like the ZADIK itself. Anyone interested in the deep structure of the art market should not miss it.

And finally: the election of federal judges – a power struggle between parliament and the constitutional court? Or simply a democratic struggle for influence? If, in the end, trust in the independence of the court is damaged, no one wins – neither parliament nor democracy. In this sense, there are fires burning in several places – some are visible, others are smouldering beneath the surface.

Stay alert.

Would you like to add a personal note or greeting (as Stephan Zilkens sometimes does)?"

This reads: Eeckmann is an insurance broker in Belgium and belongs to a French private equity group. In other words, one of our competitors, and we don't have knowledge of pausing our businessl. The rest is quite astonishing, but ultimately not very personal, so I'll write everything myself again next week. By the way, anyone waiting for Kobel's half-year review will have to wait until August. Then the triad will be back in three weeks: market, galleries, auctions.

The team at Zilkens Fine Art Insurancebrober GmbH in Solothurn and Cologne wishes you a strong week.