Art

Throwing stuff at art won’t save the planet

Published

2 years ago

November 17, 2022

Environmental group Stop Fracking Around says two activists splashed maple syrup on Emily Carr’s painting “Stumps and Sky,” which is on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Stop Fracking Around)Stop Fracking Around

Oh no, not this again.

Trigger the very bad feelings. The shock – if not exactly surprise, by this point. The knowledge that this will not make anything better. That it could make things a lot worse.

I am not referring to Donald Trump (although this applies).

This is about Emily Carr. And Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet. And the climate catastrophe.

And how throwing stuff at art will not put a dent in saving the planet. By causing deep divisions, it is actually a damaging practice.

Last weekend, two climate activists tossed maple syrup on an Emily Carr painting at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Stumps and Sky, circa 1934, can be viewed as a lament over the commercial exploitation of old-growth forests, the gallery says in its audio-guide description.

The gallery quickly issued a condemnation of the act, almost as if a statement was ready to go.

One of the protesters, Erin Fletcher, told the CBC: “We knew that it would lead to publicity and we knew that it would be disruptive and transgressive and that that would cause a shock for people and we wanted that so that we can talk about the climate emergency.”

I have some news for any copycat vandals-with-a-cause: We are already talking about the climate emergency. There has been a lot of coverage. And these actions are only distracting from that urgent conversation. Now we have people on the same side of the issue, the right side of it, debating whether the maple syrup and mashed potatoes tactics are worthy. This is not what we should be talking about.

Civil disobedience should be appropriately targeted. Art and art galleries – including the people who show, preserve, make and love art – are not the right targets. What these well-meaning but misguided fame-seeking activists are doing is creating divisions in a world where we should all be allies against the forces that are causing the climate destruction.

What would Ms. Carr have thought of this, some have wondered? Well, she had a deep love for nature and the B.C. forests. She called the stumps she depicted “screamers.” She wrote in her journal: “These are the unsawn last bits, the cry of the tree’s heart, wrenching and tearing apart, just before she gives that sway and the dreadful groan of falling. It’s a horrible sight to see a tree felled.”

But she also worked very hard to make this picture, and gosh the thrill it would have given her to know that it hangs proudly in the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Anyway, we cannot know what Ms. Carr would have thought; there’s no point speculating. But we do know that this act against her painting and others could have consequences that will be bad for art.

Museums, worried, are surely going to put more works under glass – which is not always the best way to view art. They will consider increasing security, maybe bag checks: any guns, knives, cans of soup in your backpack?

You might be shocked to read this, but art galleries are generally not flush with money. The cost of this extra security could come at the expense of other programs. Perhaps the cost of admission will have to go up, creating a barrier of access.

Also, I can’t help but feel for the poor security guards who are on the clock when this kind of thing happens. Do they get in trouble? Are they worried about their jobs? Do they go home at night, feeling responsible?

I know, I know, many of you are thinking: What will art matter when the world is on fire? This is true. But there are more productive ways to protest. And better ways to use art to further the cause.

I watched a documentary this week, The Last Stand by Vancouver-based filmmaker Peter von Puttkamer, which premiered at the NGO International Film Festival in Nairobi last month and is now streaming on Ecoflix. It is a devastating examination of what is happening to old-growth forests, including Fairy Creek on Vancouver Island, and chronicles the B.C. protest against old-growth logging.

Some will strongly disagree with the tactics taken by these protestors. But they care deeply, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the environment from forces they feel are endangering it. They are not throwing condiments on paintings.

There is a proper way to use art to provoke discussion about the climate disaster. This film lays it out beautifully (literally, the shots of B.C. could make you weep at the beauty that is being destroyed) and provides all kinds of food for thought.

The film ends with suggestions about what we can do as individuals. Defacing art with foodstuffs is not among them. Viewers are advised to bank with institutions that respect the Earth, support green-tech businesses, avoid crops that destroy forest ecosystems. To treasure the earth.

And, I will add, its riches. Like its art.

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Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

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.

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