Art
Vandals strike a blow to Crown Point art display – TheSpec.com
The beauty of art, they say, is in the eye of the beholder.
But some person, or persons, in the Crown Point neighbourhood have taken their thoughts on a recent display to a destructive level.
A group of local artists created works to be displayed along the Pipeline Trail, which runs through the east end neighbourhood, and surrounding parks.
On Feb. 1, the art work — six pieces — was unveiled, and, according to project co-ordinator Ingrid Mayrhofer, was a hit. “We had so much positive response from the neighbours,” said Mayrhofer. In an area of the city that sees little public art, art education or production spaces, neighbours were enthusiastic.
It was on the third day that Mayrhofer noticed something was wrong. At Trisha Lavoie’s “Iced Fishing,” located on the trail just east of Park Row North, the poles of her structure had been broken. In the days following, graffiti was spray painted on it, and it was pelted with eggs. Eventually, several crocheted items inside, including a fish, beer cans, and thermos, were stolen.
Other pieces were vandalized as well. A series of snowflakes, made by community members and displayed on trees and fences, had batteries stolen. An interactive musical piece created by contemporary sound artist David Gould in Andrew Warburton Memorial Park was damaged, and balls used to create the sounds were taken.
The vandals saved most of their wrath for artist Donna Akrey’s work. Her piece, titled “The Last Icebergs,” allowed viewers to use silicon casts to make tiny ‘icebergs’ which could then be added to the display. It proved popular with visitors in Warburton Park, at least for a couple of days before it suffered major damage.
Akrey repaired the broken wood structure as best she could, and repositioned some of it. But the vandals prevailed, forcing her to abandon her attempt at Winterfest neighbourhood fun.
Though disappointed, Akrey has turned her attention to the vandals. “Now I’m thinking, what can I make work for these kids who are vandalizing?” she said.
[embedded content]
She mused about replacing her art with coffee gifts cards. “Go have a coffee and a doughnut on me,” she said, and talked it through with someone. “Maybe you hate art, maybe you are a climate change denier, maybe you are disenfranchised, with nothing for you to do in the community. Maybe you’re just angry. Why don’t you talk about that?”
But the group, including Ingrid Mayrhofer, is resilient. Given all the vandalism, would she do it again?
“Of course.”
bgray@thespec.com
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
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.
Irish company planning to produce jet fuel in Goldboro, N.S., at former LNG site
New Brunswick RCMP dispute death of Indigenous man was wellness check gone wrong
Police to update investigation into ‘suspicious’ case of missing N.S. woman
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
-
Sports16 hours agoLawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
News15 hours ago
B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
News15 hours ago
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
-
Sports23 hours ago
Canada’s Michael Woods rethinks retirement, targets Montreal win after Vuelta triumph
-
News15 hours ago
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News16 hours ago
Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime lift Canada over Finland 3-0 in Davis Cup tie
-
News16 hours ago
Ottawa loses bid to quash Israel advocates’ lawsuit calling for halt to UNRWA funding
-
News16 hours ago
Ceiling high for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ahmed: Canada coach
