Art
Alec Baldwin Hosts New 'Art Fraud' Podcast – Dan's Papers
Amagansett homeowner Alec Baldwin is hosting iHeartRadio’s new Art Fraud podcast based on fellow Hamptonite Michael Shnayerson‘s 2012 Vanity Fair article on Manhattan’s now-infamous Knoedler Gallery, which unknowingly, or knowingly — depending on who you ask — sold dozens of Abstract Expressionist forgeries and defrauded collectors out of millions of dollars over nearly two decades. Baldwin’s interest may have been piqued due to his own history as a victim of a fraudulent art sale.
Part of the wildly popular true crime genre of podcasts, brought to the fore by Sagaponack native Sarah Koenig‘s Serial in 2014, the eight-episode Art Fraud series is touted as an “investigative journey through one of the biggest cases of art fraud in US history.” This story, which is also told very well in Barry Avrich‘s 2020 documentary Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art, now streaming on Netflix, explores art world greed, willfulness, gullibility and, in many ways, the fragile credibility of the entire gallery system.
Several of the artists who were forged are among those who lived and worked in the Hamptons, including Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell and Willem de Kooning. East Hampton artist Alfonso Ossorio, former owner of Ron Perelman‘s The Creeks estate, also played an important role in the story, as the original seller of the forgeries, Long Islander Glafira Rosales, said he brokered the deals that eventually landed the paintings in her hands.
In a statement, iHeartRadio explains the show and why the story was particularly scandalous, given the fact that Knoedler Gallery was at its center. “In operation since 1846 and home to some of the cities greatest artists, the gallery’s fortune changed the moment an unassuming woman walked through the door with a canvas under her arm allegedly painted by the Abstract Expressionist master Mark Rothko,” it says. “So began a 17-year relationship that would result in the sale of nearly 40 paintings from the likes of Motherwell, de Kooning and Jackson Pollock totaling more than 80 million dollars. The only problem was that they were all fake.”
Baldwin is no rookie in the podcasting world. He hosted his Here’s the Thing conversation podcast for WNYC Radio from 2011 to 2020, recording more than 150 interviews, before moving it to iHeartRadio, where he continues to produce episodes.
It should be noted that Baldwin may have had a special affinity for hosting Art Fraud since he experienced his own taste of well-heeled art galleries acting in bad faith when NYC art dealer Mary Boone agreed to sell him Hamptons artist Ross Bleckner’s 1996 painting “Sea and Mirror” for $190,000, but she couldn’t get the piece from the collector who owned it, so the dealer had Bleckner paint a copy and gave that to Baldwin in 2010, without his knowledge, instead.
The New Yorker chronicled the story in “Wet Paint,” explaining that Baldwin received the painting signed and dated with the proper inventory number assigned to Bleckner’s original “Sea and Mirror.” Baldwin noticed the difference, and when he asked Boone about it, she said the painting had been cleaned. Then, after five years of owning the painting, Baldwin had it examined by an expert from Sotheby’s who uncovered the fraud, and Bleckner admitted to creating the copy when the actor confronted him about it.
In the end, Boone dodged criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitations on the crime, but she lost a civil suit and was forced to give Baldwin a six-figure settlement in 2017.
Baldwin and Shnayerson are both credited as executive producers of Art Fraud, which aired its first two episodes yesterday, February 1, on iHeartRadio and is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts. Listen to the preview below.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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