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Archivists are working to correct decades of ‘wrong’ Pokémon art

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1 year ago

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The Pokémon art we’ve been looking at from Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon Gold and Silver has been inaccurately presented for decades, according to a Pokémon archivist who goes by the name Lewtwo online.

Before game developers published press kits with digital artwork online, game art was more commonly presented to the public through print — manuals, strategy guides, advertisements. To get it online, artwork had to be scanned and digitized. This is how Pokémon designer and lead artist Ken Sugimori’s watercolor Pokémon paintings eventually made their way online, scanned in from places like Nintendo Power’s Pokémon Red and Blue Player’s Guide from 1998.

But it turns out these scans were actually not totally accurate. Lewtwo said the images from those guides had blown out color and artwork that was often stretched out or distorted. But it was what people had, and it existed online as the “official” Pokémon art on fan websites for decades. But that’s changing, thanks to Lewtwo’s effort and software developer Christopher Wells’ scans.

Lewtwo and others are working to upload high-quality scans for the original 251 Pokémon, preserving Sugimori’s artwork with as much accuracy as possible. Wells scanned in the images from a Japanese Pokémon guidebook for Pokémon Gold and Silver; the process took roughly 10 hours over a single weekend, he told Polygon. It’s not as simple as slapping the booklet down on a scanner. To get as little warping as possible, Wells unbound the guidebook, using a heat gun to melt the glue that held the book’s pages together — “a somewhat long process, requiring a good bit of patience to properly separate the pages without having the glue drip onto any pages,” Wells said. Then, he could scan in each of the flat pages, backed by a black piece of paper to keep the other side of the page from bleeding through onto the scanned image.

It’s easy to see the difference in the saturation of the newly scanned in images when compared to the older ones. Wells scanned in the images at 12000 dpi — it’s very high quality, and there are so many beautiful details conveyed in the scanned images that weren’t as noticeable before, details that remind us that an extraordinarily talented hand painted these images.

The Joltean and Vaporean images are a stunning example of it. There’s a variance in line weight you don’t often seen in digital media — something that may be considered an imperfection by some. You can see the blooms where paint meets water, the spots where Sugimori painted a little outside the lines. Lewtwo said he’s convinced this is the “closest we will ever get in being able to scan the original piece.”

“Sugimori’s watercolor art really stands out from a lot of official video game art these days, especially with the few official scans where you can see the small details and human imperfections which remind us that the art that we admire is all made by people and that we too can aspire to learn and make similarly impressive creative works,” Wells said. “It’s so impressive that even the altered versions of his art have inspired fans considerably.”

Lewtwo is taking over from here to add the newly scanned images to his Pokémon asset archive and helping to upload the images to wiki sites like Bulbapedia. The artwork already preserved there won’t be deleted, he stressed — it’s still accessible in a list of previous revisions. That’s important, because even those “incorrect” scans are a part of Pokémon history, and versions of the pocket monsters that have become beloved in the eyes and hearts of many fans. Over the next couple months, the images will be cut out of the scans in PokéDex order and uploaded to the archive.

Preservation is important; Pokémon is a major cultural touchstone and like any other media — like a book — it’s important to understand its history. Artwork is integral to that, as is preserving it in both physical and digital forms. The problem with preserving things physically is that you’ve got to find and acquire those materials, then recreate that accuracy in a digital file. But even as media production continues to rely more on digital distribution and less on physicality, it doesn’t mean companies have a stake in preserving their own history. Lewtwo said there’s already promotional assets and trailers from Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet seemingly being removed from official sources; the preservation never stops, whether new content or old.

“Having stuff from nearly 20 years ago in what is essentially perfect quality for the first time is such a big deal, so we’re excited to make sure it’s being handled properly and meticulously for every single piece,” Lewtwo told Polygon.

 

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

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4 days ago

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September 13, 2024

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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.

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2024

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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

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1 month ago

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August 18, 2024

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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.

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