Art

5,000 works of art for new Parliament building, highlighting 5,000 years of Indian civilisation

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2023

Sanatan parampara and vaastu shastra are the guiding principles for the nearly 5,000 pieces of art — paintings, decorative art, wall panels, stone sculptures and metal objects — to be showcased across 65,000 metres of space at the new Parliament building, The Indian Express has learnt.

Besides these, the new building’s six entrances exhibit “guardian statues showing auspicious animals”, sources added. These “auspicious animals” have been chosen based on their importance in Indian culture, vaastu shastra and traits such as wisdom, victory, power and success. “Each animal chosen to be installed in the building possesses a set of affirmations, spreading well-being and harmony,” said the source.

Design of the new Parliament building. The new building has been built adjacent to the existing Parliament House. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

Guarding the ceremonial entrance to the north is the gaja (elephant), which represents wisdom, wealth, intellect and memory. According to vaastu shastra, the northern direction is associated with Mercury, which is the source of higher intellect. Standing alert and ready at the southern entrance is the ashva (horse), which is symbolic of endurance, strength, power and speed — describing the quality of governance. Soaring at the eastern entrance is the garuda (eagle), which symbolises the aspirations of the people. In vaastu shastra, the east is associated with the rising sun, representing victory.

The north-eastern entrance has hamsa (swan), which represents discernment and wisdom. The remaining entrances showcase the makara (a mythical aquatic creature that is a combination of the body parts of different animals), which represents unity in diversity, and the shardula (a mythical animal that is said to be the most powerful of all living beings), which symbolises the power of the people of the country.

Rajya Sabha Hall in the New Parliament. The interior of the Upper House is Lotus themed. (Photo Credit: centralvista.gov.in)

The new building, which is likely to be inaugurated soon, will also have six granite statues devoted to personalities involved in the freedom struggle and making of the Constitution, four galleries each for the two Houses, three ceremonial foyers, as many India galleries and one Constitution gallery.

Stating that no artwork from a repository has been used, sources said all works of art that will adorn the walls of the new building have been commissioned afresh. They added that over a thousand artisans and artists have been involved in this process. Efforts were made to involve indigenous and grassroots artists from across the country, said a source privy to the proceedings, since the parliament is supposed to belong to the people of the country and represent their aspirations. The artworks will depict Indian ethos and identity, related to both the civilisation and culture, the official added.

The new Lok Sabha chamber, with 888 setas, has peacock-themed interiors.
(Photo: centralvista.gov.in)

Inside the building, each wall will have a theme reflecting a certain aspect, such as contributions by tribal and women leaders. Stating that the underlying narrative was to highlight “5,000 years of Indian civilisation”, an official said there will be adequate focus on Indian knowledge traditions, the Bhakti tradition, Indian scientific traditions as well as monuments.

An official vision document entailing the objectives of artwork at the upcoming building, that was reviewed by The Indian Express, states: “The artworks and its installation represent sanatan parampara that continued over thousands of years. Along with that, the overall theme is designed keeping in mind the study of vaastu shastra and maintaining the character of the building.”

Blueprint of the new Parliament building. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

While sanatan parampara broadly refers to Hindu culture, which is believed to have been in continuity for centuries, vaastu shastra is the traditional Indian system of architecture based on ancient texts that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, space arrangement and spatial geometry.

A commitee room in the new Parliament building. As per MoHUA’s Central Vista website, the new Parliament will have extensive use of wooden structure. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

Since the parliament building is not a public gallery or museum, another source added, there is no scope for immersive art or high technology here. However, digital displays will be used at some places. To plan the interiors of the new building, the Culture Ministry has formed various committees comprising academics, historians, artists, archaeologists, and officials from the Culture and Urban Development Ministries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last year unveiled a cast of the National Emblem on the building’s roof. The 6.5-metre-high National Emblem is made of bronze and weighs 9,500 kg. Bimal Patel of HCP Design, Ahmedabad, is the architect in charge of the building, which is triangular in shape and incorporates architecture styles from across India. The building will have an open-sky area of 2,000 sq metre for a banyan tree.

Sansad Bhavan. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

Being built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore, the building is part of the Central Vista Project, which also includes a joint Central Secretariat, revamp of the Rajpath, a new Prime Minister’s residence, a new Prime Minister’s Office, and a new Vice-President’s enclave.

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Art

A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

Published

1 day ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

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Art

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

Published

2 weeks 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.