Art

TCM shines a spotlight on female directors and their art – Deloraine Times

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2020

Women have been making great films since the silent era, although you might not know it to look at a list of the best films of all time. The American Film Institute’s top 100 famously does not include any female directors at all.

But Turner Classic Movies is helping craft a revisionist history of women in film with an epic series programmed around a groundbreaking 14-hour documentary by film historian Mark Cousins entitled ” Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema.”

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Every Tuesday night through December audiences will be treated to one hour of Cousins’ docuseries, which exhaustively examines the work of some 183 directors from around the world, narrated by the likes of Tilda Swinton, Thandie Newton and Jane Fonda. After each installment, the night continues with thematically relevant films commentary from directors like Mira Nair, Kimberly Peirce and Nicole Holofcener. In total, TCM has programmed 100 films directed by women from A (as in Dorothy Arzner ) to Z (as in Mai Zetterling ), that span 12 decades and hail from 44 countries and six continents.

Film historian and TCM host Alicia Malone, who has written books on women in film, said she was surprised by just how many films she had never seen in the programming and the documentary. Malone and fellow TCM host Jacqueline Stewart are leading discussions with some contemporary filmmakers around the evening’s programming.

“I consider myself to be someone who has made an effort to learn about movies made by women, to seek them out and to watch them whenever I can,” Malone said. “For me to find movies and filmmakers that I’ve never heard of is both maddening and thrilling.”

And she wasn’t the only one to find herself reaching for her notebook and making a list of films to watch. “Born in Flames” director Lizzie Borden said she “went into study mode.”

“I’ve been seeing excerpts and thinking, why don’t I know about this film?” Borden said. She’ll be featured on Night 10, airing Nov. 3, and focusing on melodrama, sci fi and horror. Films that evening include Ida Lupino’s rape culture-themed “Outrage” (1950), Ann Hui’s Vietnam-set “Boat People” (1982) and Lois Weber’s silent film “Shoes” (1916), about a shop girl who needs a new pair.

“’Outrage’ is an extraordinary film to watch after the #MeToo revelation,” Borden said. “Ida Lupino has always been compared to Dorothy Arzner. But she’s nothing like Dorothy Arzner. And it’s only because there have been so few visible women. It’s an unfair comparison. Her films are so interesting! She’s reflecting an inner life of women going into the ’50s.”

Borden also said the documentary has made her appreciate films she’s seen many times even more, including her friend Kathryn Bigelow ’s Oscar-winning “The Hurt Locker” (which will be airing on Nov. 10. She likened it to a film school.

“It encourages your mind to be really active,” Borden said. “I never took apart an action scene that (Bigelow) does the way Mark Cousins does or count the number of shots as he does.”

“Boys Don’t Cry” director Peirce, whose “Stop-Loss” is airing on Oct. 20 during Night Eight, is excited to showcase the breadth of experience of female filmmakers throughout history.

“It’s a miracle if you’ve seen any woman’s content,” Peirce said. “And if you know a woman’s name, that’s awesome because it means she probably made more than one movie. I don’t think I’ve met a woman artist who doesn’t know that her career should have been tenfold from what it is.”

Peirce spoke about Arzner bucking the system and going from the script department to editing to directing and making the pre-code romance “Christopher Strong” with Katharine Hepburn and about Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmüller, the first ever woman to be nominated for a best director Oscar, who produced avant garde plays and designed sets before she picked up a camera.

Sure, they may the only jobs available to them on the path to directing, but, Pierce said, the problem is also the solution: The odd jobs made them better directors.

The good news is the numbers seem to be getting better. 2019 was a “banner year” for female directors. And Cousins’ documentary and the subsequent discussions will also help advance the conversation about women directors by focusing on their art and not just statistics.

“What we can do is start to celebrate the films that we have, the filmmakers that are making these movies and also talk to them about craft, which is something female filmmakers rarely get to do,” Malone said. “Usually, and I’ve been guilty of this, we talk to female directors only about being a woman in the industry and we talk to male directors about their craft and their technique.”

Peirce, who is helping to enact change in the industry as an Academy Governor and on the leadership team of the Directors Guild, said she often finds herself on panels and in documentaries talking about being a female filmmaker.

“A lot of the living filmmakers, we’re friends with each other, we’re a support system and we’re a really beautiful community,” she said. “And we’ve all been fighting the fight to tell our stories, tell stories well and tell the stories of women telling stories.”

And now they have another ally in TCM.

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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr

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

Published

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

Published

4 weeks 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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