Art

Art Industry News: Why the Arts Need a New Deal-Style Government Bailout Just Like the Airlines + Other Stories – artnet News

Published

4 years ago

March 20, 2020

Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Friday, March 20.

NEED-TO-READ

Museum Leaders Ask Congress for $4 Billion – American museum leaders are lobbying Congress to allocate $4 billion to nonprofit museums as part of a broader bailout package to address the economic fallout of the current health crisis. The American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directors stress that institutions employ 760,000 people and annually contribute $50 billion to the US economy. During the coronavirus shutdown, they are losing an estimated $33 million a day. The AAM notes that some staff have already been put on furlough or been laid off; even an institution as well-funded as the Metropolitan Museum of Art is bracing for a $100 million shortfall and possible drastic cutbacks. (Hyperallergic)

Will This Discovery Recalibrate Ancient History? – New research suggests that radiocarbon dating, used to identify the dates of events in prehistory, could have been off by years, or even a few decades. Experts argue that the use of radiocarbon traces to date ancient events in Europe and the Mediterranean, such as the death of King Tutankhamen, failed to take into account regional variations in how trees grow. Cornell University professor Sturt Manning and his colleagues note that the radiocarbon level on Earth varies according to region and season. Adjusting the dates accordingly, Manning says, has the potential to rewrite prehistory—including which groups were significant in shaping classical civilization. (Science Daily)

Is It Time for a Cultural Bailout? – The economic impact on the arts of the coronavirus pandemic will be so great that the US will need a version of the 1930 New Deal, William S. Smith argues—and it is essential that culture be part of that equation. He cites the Federal Art Project during the Great Depression, which funded both individual artists’ work and institutions’ shows when private philanthropy plummeted, leading to a flourishing of mural painting and laying the foundation of the postwar rise of art in the US. Smith proposes that museums today might receive more direct public funding in exchange for offering free admission. “Private markets and philanthropy will be changed on the other side of this pandemic,” he writes, “so it is time once again to envision what art looks like as a public good.” (Art in America)

Artists Reflect on the Virus’s Impact – The American artist Trevor Paglen’s show in Turin is half-installed and in lockdown. Bill Fontana’s show in the Kunsthaus Graz had just opened when all of Austria’s museums were abruptly shuttered. Like fellow artists around the world, they are now working out what they will do next. Fontana will take advantage of the long stretches at home to organize his archive, which spans five decades. Paglen, who has a studio in Berlin, says he will take a deep dive into researching “the things that make us feel safe in a very broad way.” (The Art Newspaper)

ART MARKET

Long-Lost Ana Mendieta Sparks Lawsuit – Mendieta’s estate is suing Sotheby’s and the consignor of a photograph by the feminist artist that was pulled from auction after doubts were raised about its provenance. Galerie Lelong, which represents Mendieta’s estate, first spotted the photograph Guanaroca, which was previously thought to be lost, in a sale catalogue. The artist’s estate believes the work was in Mendieta’s possession at the time of her death in 1985 and says it is unclear how the previous owner, Edward Meringolo, came to possess it. (ARTnews)

Art Advisor Goes on a Spending Spree Before Lockdown – Before New York City and other hubs around the country went into lockdown, the New York-based art adviser Todd Levin made a last dash to examine artwork in person. He jumped on a plane and headed to Denver and Salt Lake City to assess two top-dollar 20th-century works on offer, though he declined to name them. “People are selling,” he says. “With this kind of money being talked about, these pieces have to be looked at. I can’t do a condition report from afar.” Levin is now back home and hunkered down. (Bloomberg)

COMINGS & GOINGS

Director of the Pinault Foundation Steps Down – Sylvain Fort, the former presidential press director who was hired to lead billionaire art collector François Pinault’s foundation, is quitting after just six months on the job. The launch of Pinault’s Parisian gallery has been indefinitely delayed due to the current health crisis. A spokesman said the split was “by mutual agreement.” (The Art Newspaper)

MOCA Founder Merry Norris Has Died – The art consultant who helped reshape the artistic landscape of Los Angeles has died at the age of 80 from pneumonia unrelated to COVID-19. Norris was on the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission and a key founder of the Museum of Contemporary Art. (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Auctioneer Peter Loughrey Has Died – The influential Los Angeles curator, collector, and founder of Los Angeles Modern Auctions died this week at age 52, from cancer. Loughrey established LAMA at the tender age of 24 and built it into a leading hub to buy and sell the work of California artists long before the blue-chip art market began to recognize its value. (Architectural Digest)

FOR ART’S SAKE

Biennale of Sydney Remains Open – The 22nd edition of the Biennale of Sydney is still open to the public, free of charge, despite the coronavirus outbreak. The organization said it was taking all the necessary precautions outlined by authorities, including frequent cleaning and abundant hand sanitizer. The exhibition, “Nirin,” includes work by Huma Bhabha, Anna Boghiguian, and Tania Bruguera, among others. (Press release)

African American Artists on Their Inspirations – If you are looking for a refreshing break from COVID-19 content, allow us to recommend this New York Times feature in which 35 top African American artists identify one work that most inspires them. Painter Kerry James Marshall selected the film Get Out (“It wasn’t a movie; it was cinema”), while TV producer Kenya Barris selected Glenn Ligon’s Double America 2 (“the simplicity of it is radical and confrontational”). (New York Times)

Artist and Comedian Harry Hill Offers Cute Coronavirus Tips – The artist, who is a regular exhibitor at the annual Royal Academy Summer show, has some tips on helping the world fight the coronavirus. With images borrowed from the toy brand Sylvanian Families, Hill shares the commandments: stay indoors, avoid unnecessary gatherings, and, please, don’t stockpile food. (Instagram)

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

Published

4 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

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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