Art
Because today, every art student needs to minor as a content creator – CBC.ca
If you go on the OCADU Live website, you’ll find an absolute cavalcade of seemingly unrelated content: an interview with legendary photographer Wolfgang Tillmans, nerd culture critiques, make-up techniques, cartoons. Maybe, if you squint, there’s a broad “art-and-culture” theme to the content, but then again, there’s also a show that’s just people being stoked about paintball.
OCADU Live — which the the Ontario College of Art and Design University bills as a student run, on-demand streaming service — started in 2020, as a way for the school to engage with students during the pandemic. The format is open, with everything from short films to game shows and chat shows. The project also pays students for their time and allows them to keep their IP. The initial funding came from a grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Beyond just being a fun, weird time, OCADU Live has another purpose: to get OCADU students to become content creators. Because the uncomfortable fact is, if you want to make a living in a creative industry in 2024, you have to be in the content creation business to one extent or another.
“If you make anything at all these days, not only do you have to know how to make it, but you also have to be able to explain to people how you make it, as a way to kind of increase your, the attention that you and your art practice can get,” says Ontario College of Art and Design University President Ana Serrano.
The goal is to help OCADU students learn how to find and build an audience for their work.
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“We said ‘OK, let’s provide the opportunity for students to pitch stories that they really want to tell,” she says. “It could be a 10-minute show, it could be a one-hour-long show, or a single episode or a series, and we will pay them to do this. It will be student-driven from the ground up. We’ll have an adjudication committee, choosing these shows, made up of students.”
Leonardo Dell’Anno says that initially, many students didn’t want to see themselves as content creators.
“We definitely had people be like ‘Oh, I’m not a content creator, I’m an artist,” he says.
A veteran filmmaker, Dell’Anno was the person OCADU tapped to oversee OCADU Live. He says that many students were uncomfortable with the idea of content creation. He adds that, while some students saw content creation as antithetical to art, others were already doing it. They just weren’t sure about doing it with him.
He points to the sardonic OCADU-related meme page Brocad. Just before the pandemic, the Brocad Instagram page had a following that was equal to about half of OCADU’s student body. For Dell’Anno, they seemed like a natural fit. They weren’t as easily sold, to the point where the crew running the then-anonymous account were nervous about revealing their identities.
“They thought they were in trouble,” he says. “We were [only] able to contact them in their DMs, and they were just so scared of the partnership… And we were like, ‘No, we want to give you a platform, but you have to share who you are.’ And you see them go from that to interviewing one of the most influential people in the [art] world, Wolfgang Tillmans, on their podcast last year.”
OCADU Live also functions as a production house, creating content for various Toronto businesses. This gives students and recent grads another opportunity to earn income, as well as helping to fund the streaming service. They were also the only student media outlet to get a red carpet accreditation for last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Fourth-year creative writing major Chris Markland is one of OCADU Live’s success stories. He started seriously working on content creation through the program and now has almost 242,000 followers on his own TikTok, which is a mixture of comic book culture critique and his own comic book work. He’s also used that platform to crowdfund his first short film.
He says that when he first started making content with OCADU Live, he felt like he was stuck in a bit of a creative rut.
“I was just spending all my time, when the pandemic first started, alone in my room drawing and writing all day,” he says. “Eventually I feel like I just kind of hit a wall creatively. I was doing all this work, but I wasn’t seeing the fruits of my labour.”
He says that now that he has an audience — as well as some money from the project — he feels more creatively focused and able to pursue his goals.
“I can invest more of my time in it,” he says. “Because I know that it’s building toward something. It’s not just going to be me on a soapbox, talking in front of nobody.”
Ultimately, Dell’Anno says that, by embracing content creation, this crop of OCADU students has opportunities that were unimaginable even 15 years ago.
“What we’re able to do now is, just in minutes, build an audience,” he says.
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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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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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