Art
Panthers bare their souls: Giving the gift of art during coronavirus times – FIU News
Artists and poets, singers and musicians. These are the searching souls, always seeking to capture an emotion, a moment – the heart of humanity itself.
These folks know a secret: Art heals. It’s that simple. In this era of self-isolation, fear and anxiety, many people around the globe are tapping into that power.
Music has become a connecting force among communities singing from their balconies at nights or serenading first responders out of gratitude. Painting and drawing have become for many a form of releasing stress and channeling creativity, creating something right from their homes. And poetry has become a soothing song to pour on a page in the quiet of a room.
With the mission to spread a little hope – and the allure of building a virtual community of creative minds – the Panther family has been digging deep into its artistic soul and sharing art to keep the FIU and the South Florida community entertained and uplifted throughout these coronavirus times.
Living life to the fullest
Exhilarating. That’s how Jordana Pomeroy, director of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU, describes the experience of art.
“Art is an opportunity to lose yourself and engage viscerally in a way that takes your breath away,” she explains. “For me, going to a wonderful exhibition is kind of like extreme sports. It’s the same sort of thrill. It’s the same kind of adrenaline rush. It’s not just cerebral where you’re learning about the artist and memorizing the dates. It’s about connecting with someone, making them feel that rush.”
To keep art alive – and help people feel that rush of connection with humanity during social distancing – the Frost Art FIU is featuring virtual exhibitions online and showcasing its digital art collection on its website. The museum is also sharing social media content every week, discussing tips for parents to engage children in arts projects as well as providing meditative moments on pieces of art in the museum’s collection.
The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU (JMOF) is also featuring virtual exhibits (including one for its sparkling display of Judith Leiber’s purse designs), curated tours via Zoom and a steady stream of social media content sharing art and inspiration. Likewise, the Wolfsonian-FIU is helping the Panther community stay connected to art through digital experiences and videos of various previous exhibits and projects, including “The Art of Illumination” and “Promising Paradise.”
“We have always been a cultural hub for the community, where people could find refuge, education and inspiration,” says Susan Gladstone, director of the JMOF. “During this very difficult time in the world, keeping that sense of community is more important than ever.”
We know that art is a soothing force, says David Chang, renowned artist and chair of the Art + Art History Department. “Throughout history, art has always functioned as a healing element. So has music. Any art. Literature, storytelling.”
He says the visual arts have played a particularly crucial role in telling stories, though, especially in places and throughout eras when not everyone could read.
While studying in Paris as a young painter years ago, Chang was captivated when he experienced the Notre-Dame Cathedral’s art and learned its history. “Notre-Dame was special because it had this beautiful stained glass,” he says. “In medieval times, [stained glass] was invented because it’s visual literature. The whole Bible is in every window pane. People could look at the window, and know the story of the Bible. Visual arts was a communicative tool.”
And it continues to be one today.
In good company
Art is personal. But it’s also communal. That’s why museums, movie theatres, concerts and other community arts venues exist.
When self-distancing and quarantine began in Miami, Deborah Plutzik Briggs, vice president of arts and community at the Betsy-South Beach Hotel and a longtime FIU supporter, reached out to John Stuart, director of FIU’s Miami Beach Urban Studios (MBUS). The two hashed out a plan to create a sanctuary – a virtual sanctuary.
After years of partnership, MBUS and the Betsy Hotel, combined forces once again to create a series of virtual community gatherings where people could experience the Zen of the arts, together. The events featured global architect and MBUS advisory board member Chad Oppenheim; talented FIU cellist Jason Calloway; award-winning FIU poet Campbell McGrath; and renown photographer Robert Zuckerman.
“With our series, the guest speaker was somebody you knew was talking live,” Stuart says. “You saw how many other people were on the call. This is part of that Zen. If it comforts you to be with other people, this is for you. This is a safe space. It’s a place where we hope you feel a little bit renewed, where it can help give you a little more resilience in your emotional landscape for whatever comes.”
The series has proven to smash event attendance records through the roof, doubling the average number of folks who usually attend in-person events hosted collaboratively by MBUS and the Betsy Hotel. One of the managers at the Department of Cultural Affairs – City of Miami Beach, Stuart adds, even congratulated the team on the project’s being the first comprehensive online program known to come out of Miami Beach in late March.
The team is eager to continue these kinds of events, and have already organized a second series of virtual events featuring women poets in collaboration with Supporting Women Writers in Miami (creative writing alumna Caridad Moro-Gronlier is an associate editor at the organization.) The series will begin on April 27 and can be accessed via Zoom or Facebook life.
“Art is the thing that civilizations are remembered by,” says Briggs, who is also an MBUS advisory board member. “People are reaching out to us because they want to be involved or have an idea for a series. We want to continue to do something we think is very special.”
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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.
[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.
Florida State asks judge to rule on parts of suit against ACC, hoping for resolution without trial
Australia’s Michael Matthews earns third win at Quebec cycling GP
Whitecaps loan Herdman to CPL’s Cavalry, sign two reserve players to first-team deals
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
-
Sports22 hours agoLawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
Sports6 hours ago
Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa deals with concussion
-
News22 hours ago
RCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
News21 hours ago
B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
News22 hours ago
Ceiling high for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ahmed: Canada coach
-
Sports8 hours ago
David Beckham among soccer dignitaries attending ex-England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
-
News20 hours ago
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
-
News22 hours ago
Ottawa loses bid to quash Israel advocates’ lawsuit calling for halt to UNRWA funding
