Art
'Appalling' tracksuit heist at art gallery saddens hip-hop pioneer – CBC.ca
A pioneering Ottawa b-boy is hunting for his vintage velour tracksuit after it was stolen this month from a hip-hop exhibition at a local art gallery.
Stephen Leafloor, also known as “Buddha,” is one of the founding members of the Canadian Floor Masters. The crew helped bring “breaking” — or what’s often known as breakdancing — to Ottawa in the early 1980s. They opened for James Brown, Ice-T and Grandmaster Flash.
Leafloor called the blue and red Fila tracksuit “a vintage relic” from the early days of hip-hop with both emotional and historic value.
The theft makes him feel disrespected.
“It was a beautiful tracksuit,” he said. “It’s that crushed velvet velour… You feel magical.”
The theft was captured on camera at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Daly Street, where Canadian Floor Masters memorabilia was displayed as part of an exhibition on the history of hip-hop in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
The gallery’s director, Alexandra Badzak, said it happened Nov. 5. She said the entire operation took less than three minutes that afternoon.
“It was very quick,” she said. “They were out the door, unfortunately, before security was able to apprehend.”
Badzak said surveillance footage revealed that the thief climbed up on a glass display case and apparently used a tool to cut the wires holding up the tracksuit. Scuff marks are still visible on the walls.
‘I felt sick,’ curator says
Senior curator Rachelle Dickenson called the theft “appalling.” She said the tracksuit is representative of a period in hip-hop fashion — and losing it affected her deeply.
“I felt sick,” she said. “The first thing I thought of was that I needed to call Buddha.”
Leafloor was out of town when Dickenson broke the news.
He’s been drawn to “swag” from an early age. He still remembers what motivated him to pick up the tracksuit in the late 1980s during a trip to Detroit.
“When I saw it way back then, I was like, yo, LL Cool J rocks this – I want one too,” Leafloor said.
He posted a Facebook message on the theft, which has produced an outpouring of support and indignation. But Leafloor isn’t holding out hope that he’ll recover his tracksuit. He said he can’t put a value on an item with such a deep personal connection.
“I wish it would come back, just because it’s emotionally part of my life,” he said. “It’s part of who I am.”
No plans for stricter controls
Dickenson said the Ottawa Art Gallery has hourly security patrols. But anyone can simply walk in and out the gallery, which is free and open to the public.
She said the gallery will raise up suspended exhibits higher to make sure the public can’t access it, even by climbing up.
But there are no plans to impose stricter controls on public access to the gallery itself, she added.
“We’re not prepared to risk community comfort and that sense of ownership that community should have when they come into the Ottawa Art Gallery,” Dickenson said.
“This is an appalling incident. It’s a very rare incident. But it’s more important to us that folks feel like it’s their space too. Why would we punish everybody for the actions of one person?”
She said she’s currently tracking online shopping websites to see if the tracksuit turns up. If search efforts are unsuccessful, she said insurance is expected to cover its value.
Leafloor has no animosity toward the art gallery, which he commended for working collaboratively with the dozens of people from the hip-hop community.
“I wouldn’t make the decision that I’m pulling all my stuff out, because this is an important exhibit. Go see the exhibit if you want to feel and touch the vibes of the generations of hip-hop,” he said.
He hopes his experience doesn’t discourage others from lending their artifacts.
“This can have a beautiful impact on how we celebrate our history, and I would hate that not to happen out of fear.”
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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.
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.
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