Art

Alien crop circles? Nope, just some spectacular snow art in New Brunswick – CBC.ca

Published

3 years ago

February 20, 2022

During the winter months, Maritimers have been hitting the snow and spending hours creating intricate, otherworldly patterns that are sometimes gone in a blink of an eye.

“I love the geometry and the amazing things with those mysterious crop circles that we see around the world,” said John Panopoulos.

Panopoulos and his wife, Charmaigne Letourneau, moved to Cap-Pelé from Ontario. Panopoulos wanted a new environment for sculpting and Letourneau was originally from Campbellton.

In February, Panopoulos glanced outside his window and was struck by how much the snow-covered lakefront by their house looked like a canvas.

“I thought, let’s embrace this opportunity with this lake, with snow, and let’s do something out there,” said Panopoulos.

“And so I thought of pulling those two elements of crop circles and I pulled out my compass sets and I started drawing out on paper.”

Panopoulos and Letourneau, who did snow shoe art for the first time, said it was a great form of exercise. (Submitted by Charmaigne Letourneau)

The design was 30 metres in diameter and took the couple around two hours to complete.

Panopoulos said there needs to be a starting point. “We have a rope … [and] one person stands in the middle and the other person walks around.”

Letourneau is an accountant and so the two came at the project with different styles.

“Being an accountant, one plus one equals two, and it’s pretty much, like, go with the flow. And for me to let go and follow along … I’m, like, ‘No, no, we’re going to do it perfect,'” said Letourneau while laughing.

The couple, who did snowshoe art for the first time, said it was a great form of cardio and posed a challenge to people to try their hand at it.

Seasoned veterans

In Riverview, snowshoe art has also made its mark after the town invited two Nova Scotia artists to complete a design for the Riverview Winter Carnival.

Truro’s Matt Robinson and Debert’s Sheldon Benoit spent almost four hours crafting a 30-metre design.

But this isn’t their first time at the snowshoe art rodeo. They have done designs like this about five times before, but this one posed a different challenge.

WATCH | Snowshoe art in action:

Two Nova Scotia artists stomp out stunning snow art in Riverview, N.B

3 hours ago

Duration 1:02

Matt Robinson and Sheldon Benoit spent almost four hours crafting a 30-metre design for the town of Riverview’s Winter Carnival. 1:02

“What we did not expect was there to be a 56-centimetre snowfall a day or so before and that caused some issues where the weight of the snow pushed down the ice,” said Robinson. “This caused water to seep above the ice, even though we had 16 inches of ice.”

The plan was to do the design with their snow boots for a crisper image.

Matt Robinson holds up a sketch the pair had done before starting their snow art piece for the town of Riverview. (Mrinali Anchan/Zoom)

But upon seeing the slush they were faced with, Benoit came up with the idea to switch to snowshoes.

“It takes a fair bit of patience because you can’t really undo a mistake, so you have to be pretty precise,” said Benoit.

“So it’s a lot of stopping, a lot of pre-planning so you get it done right.”

As a child, Robinson was always fascinated with geometric art.

“There’s a doodle that I used to do as a kid where it’s a checkerboard, but rather than straight lines, it’s squiggly lines and I would make that in Microsoft Paint and I would fill it in black and white.” said Robinson.

He added that, just for the fun of it, he attempted to stamp out that design, which ended up being 50 metres.

“I posted that on my Facebook and that took off ridiculously.”

Gone before you know it

Snow art is often fleeting.

“One day they could be there and we had a little bit of wind overnight and it could be very Etch-A-Sketch,” said Robinson who noted that was part of the charm.

“The very low impact, where they’re not taking up a lot…. They’re not doing much harm to the environment. That’s the beauty of it.”

The day after they had created their design, Panopoulos and Letourneau discovered that a snowmobile had gone through it.

“It’s a process and not a matter of how long it lasts,” said Panopoulos.

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Art

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

Published

5 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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