Art

We'd Just Get Our Art Fix Online, Right? Not So Fast – TheTyee.ca

Published

4 years ago

January 4, 2021

Looking back to those early “cancel everything” days of the pandemic, we can be forgiven for guessing the performing arts would transition to screens and find bored audiences in abundance. That was before we all came to understand the ravages of Zoom fatigue.

As our work and social lives shifted to digital interfaces, it seemed we had limited brain cells left over to watch something “live” but mediated by pixels. After staring at a computer for eight hours a day, the idea of sitting in front of a screen during your off hours felt like a strange form of imposition.

Some art forms fared better than others. Film, already streaming into people’s phones, computers and television screens, pivoted pretty easily. Festivals went digital, and major film studios soon followed, flooding the internet with more movies than any human person could watch in a single lifetime. The literary arts also did reasonably well; book sales were up.

But art galleries were running at a fraction of their usual capacity. Wandering through an empty gallery was something of a surreal and occasionally quite forlorn experience. And for art forms that relied on the frisson of live performance, things were even tougher. The notion of watching a three-hour opera or a dance performance on your laptop was often a hard sell.

Like most humans, the more guilt I feel about something, the less apt I am to want to do it. Events that on paper sounded interesting — a panel discussion or an art exhibition, on Zoom or some other form of digital format felt strangely enervating. After a few moments of talking heads on a small screen I just wanted to slink away. Which, online, is very easy to do. No barging past people, banging into their knees and whispered apologies. You simply blink out of existence and no one is the wiser.

Fortunately, the creative community is, well, creative. The imperative to discover innovative new ways of presenting shows was galvanizing for lots of organizations. Music on Main’s series “As Dreams Are Made,” which paired one audience member and one musician, was a genuine success story.

Some larger organizations didn’t even try the digital route. The Metropolitan Opera and Broadway simply closed up shop for the year and sent everyone home.

In Vancouver, the casualties have yet to become clear. Different organizations have adopted different strategies. Some may weather the storm and others may not. Personally, I am holding out hope for a renaissance of sorts. When the pandemic finally recedes and people are freed from solitary confinement, they might flood theatres and concert halls, desperate for the experience of crowded receptions, overpriced wine and long bathroom lineups.

I’ve read that when audiences watch a live performance together in a theatre, their heart beats synch up. Maybe it’s no surprise to see what the pandemic has taught us. There’s no digital substitute for real life.

Tomorrow: Broken China?

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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

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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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

Published

4 weeks ago

August 15, 2024

Harry Miller

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.