Art
Burning Man art headed to Black Rock City from Sparks’ Generator
On a Friday night, local artists trickled into The Generator, a sprawling warehouse-style studio space in Sparks, to put the finishing touches on their art ahead of the biggest show of the year.
In spaces rented for about $1.50 per square foot, a number of local artmakers welded, sanded, carved and assembled. A pickup truck crept slowly from one end of the warehouse to the other. A bearded artist on a longboard rolled past, shouting to friends and colleagues.
All this frenetic energy was directed toward one purpose: Burning Man 2023.
The RGJ was granted a sneak peek at some of the local art heading northward to the Black Rock Desert for Burning Man 2023, which officially kicks off on Sunday, August 27. Here’s a look at what six artists are making for this year’s event.
“Deer Goddess Confessional”
Heather Lee Dixon, a Reno native and former owner of the quirky gift store Happy Happy Joy Joy, is making her first big piece of Burning Man art this year in the form of an assemblage she’s dubbed the “Deer Goddess Confessional.”
The piece includes a booth where mortals kneel before the Deer Goddess, which Dixon describes as a “gender and species non-conforming deity,” and write down their confessions, which are kept in a lock box and later taken to the Temple to be burned. Dixon assured the RGJ that she does not read the confessions.
“Only the Deer Goddess will know,” Dixon said.
Dixon, who goes by the name Daisy Mae and worked on the production team for the film “Jackass 4,” became inspired to create art following the death of her husband, who was hit and killed by an ambulance in 2019 while riding his motorcycle in Reno. Though Dixon says she doesn’t have formal artistic training, she says creating the artwork has been a cathartic experience.
“Spirit of the Healing Siren”
The recipient of an 2023 Honorarium art grant from Burning Man Arts is Mongolian artist Turburam Sandagdorj, whose metal sculpture “Spirit of the Healing Siren” is a powerful reflection of this year’s Burning Man theme of animalia.
The piece is based on the mythological Greek figure of the Siren, a half-human creature whose sweet song lured sailors to destruction. True to the Burning Man spirit, however, Sandagdorj’s sculpture calls people to healing. From inside the rotating face of the Siren will play a recording of 100 different species of Mongolian birds.
“Queen Cobra”
A collaboration between London artist Andrea Greenlees and local fabricator Andy Tibbetts, “Queen Cobra” stands 25 feet tall and consists mainly of steel tubing with hand-hammered aluminum sheet. The project started in February with the construction of a tool to make the cobra scales, which Tibbetts made using pins left over from another Reno sculpture, “Space Whale.”
Asked about the allure of Burning Man, Tibbetts said it was the community that mattered most to him.
“The event is the dessert, but the full meal is working with the people year round to create big art,” Tibbetts said.
“My Body, My Home”
Ray Frost’s sculpture, “My Body, My Home,” features Luisa the coyote as its subject. Frost, a first-time lead artist whose vision has been implemented by lead sculptor John Bankhead and lead fabricator Mike Lautman, went to school for screen printing before working on big art.
“There’s just something about those pieces which are larger than you,” said Frost, who will be attending Burning Man for the second time.
“Great Sax”
Local jazz musician and radio man Rick Metz has been extensively involved with saxophones and Burning Man for over two decades. Metz attended his first Burning Man in 1999. This year marks his 25th burn.
But it will be the first year that Metz, who regularly performs jazz gigs in and around Reno, will be bringing his own art car — officially known as a mutant vehicle.
“I’ve always been involved with mutant vehicles,” said Metz, who helped friends navigate the paperwork and regulations for their own cars at Burning Man. “I always longed for one of my own. I’ve never seen a saxophone mutant vehicle on the playa.”
Metz commissioned top mutant vehicle creator Jeff Rocke to fashion Metz’s old broken down RV into “Great Sax.”
What keeps Metz coming back to Burning Man year after year?
“The art, the music, the people,” he said. “That’s what keeps the sense of wonderment going.”
“Two Penguins Production Vehicle”
You might have seen Devin Hall, nicknamed “Bolts,” driving his school bus around Reno. It’s hard to miss with its spray-painted seascapes and stuffed animals dangling off the sides as he whizzes by.
The 23-year-old Californian bought the old school bus, which has over 300,000 miles on it and runs on diesel, and transformed it into his home. California Highway Patrol said Hall couldn’t keep the bus yellow, per regulations, so he bought some spray paint at Walmart to give it a makeover with a pirate theme. Since then, the bus has steadily grown to include a roof deck and a number of other accoutrements to go with that theme. On a Friday evening at The Generator, Hall was thinking about adding a 20-foot mast to the top of the bus.
When Hall isn’t working on the bus, he does seasonal work and various art projects.
“I’m doing this as my college,” Hall said. “It’s been phenomenal.”
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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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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