Art

Remediation Forest coming to East Canfield Art Park in Detroit – Detroit Free Press

Published

5 months ago

April 29, 2024

Over the next two years, the East Canfield Art Park will be transformed into an inner-city forest, equipped with air quality monitors all encapsulated by two architecturally constructed crowns honoring the founders of Canfield Consortium.

The sculpture installation, brought together through a collaboration of community groups, will be unveiled at a weekend kickoff event planned for May 18. Over the next two years, phase two will include the addition of a dedicated community gathering space and an elevated walkway to immerse patrons in the lush trees.

Executive Director of Sidewalk Detroit Ryan Myers Johnson said she was first introduced to grassroots community group Canfield Consortium at a land use conference focused on grassroots solutions to vacant land and green space in Detroit.

Myers Johnson said they conducted five community meetings to discuss the area’s vision for a project focus and learned they wanted to work with a Black artist who could address the issues of air quality and environmental racism happening in the city.

“Some of the things that came up really early on were not without controversy,” she said, “because when you’re looking at a neighborhood that has quite a lot of needs and people who need wraparound services, what role does art play here?”

“(Our) meetings (have) definitely started to unpack trauma and get emotional … but I think that’s what it takes in order to get to something that actually is addressing a community need.”

Myers Johnson said they collaborated with local nonprofit groups Ecology Center, Just Air, Detroit Tree Equity and Greening of Detroit to learn more about the issues of environmental racism the area is experiencing. The community unanimously agreed on New York-based sculptor and environmental racism activist Jordan Weber to construct the final piece at the Canfield Art Park located at 4405 Lemay Street.

Rewind:New art park opens on Detroit’s east side in East Canfield Village neighborhood

The park is less than five blocks from Stellantis’ Mack Assembly Plant, which has been fined eight times for air quality violations since November 2021. In March, the plant agreed to pay an $84,000 fine issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for exceeding the limit for volatile organic compounds at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant – also located in the East Canfield neighborhood.

Exposure to VOC vapors can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and other side effects.

Phase one of the project will feature air-purifying trees like pines and cypresses, air monitoring systems, and space for educational and community gatherings; encapsulated by Weber’s sculpture titled “New Forest, Ancient Thrones.”

“The (sculpture) is a really great way to literally get closer to the heart and not think about a sculpture that’s just built on top of the Earth, but it’s really integrated into the fabric of what it means to live in this neighborhood,” Myers Johnson said. “And because it’s an active installation it’s always telling you something (as) it’s really focusing on the air quality monitoring.”

The Hudson-Webber Foundation Art Fund, VIA Art Fund, Kresge Foundation and Erb Foundation, among other donations, fund the final project.

The entryway to the Detroit Remediation Forest will take the shape of crowns honoring African queens Queen Idia of Benin and Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar, drawing comparisons to the dual-female leadership of Canfield Consortium co-founders Kim and Rhonda Theus.

A kickoff event on May 18 will showcase the final sculpture and include performances by local artists and the students from Barack Obama Leadership Academy, which directly faces the school. Over the past year, the students have learned how to read the air quality monitors installed at Canfield Art Park and understand how the data affects them.

Behind Canfield Consortium

Sisters Kim and Rhonda Theus are native Detroiters, who were drawn back to the city after their parents died in 2006 and they noticed a drastic change had taken place in their neighborhood.

“After our parents passed away we both were really saddened by the condition of the community,” Rhonda Theus said. “So we talked to some people in city government to find out what the city plan for the neighborhood and much to surprise, there was no plan.”

The sisters established Canfield Consortium in 2015 with a mission to return the neighborhood to the thriving area they remember from their childhood.

“We started to perform community development at the grassroots level, just talking, doing a lot of community engagement, talking to our friends and neighbors and what they want to see, and then going from there,” Kim Theus said.

It wasn’t long before community members started taking notice of higher asthma rates in the neighborhood’s children and the Theuses began to take note of industrial trucks using residential roads.

“We have a neighbor that used to care for her grandchildren … and two of her grandchildren have asthma,” Rhonda Theus said. “Any time that they would come here and stay with her for — a few hours or more, they would have severe asthma attacks.”

“We have community members who are having nosebleeds and different health issues that all started right after that plant went operational. So when people are telling us the emissions from the plant don’t have anything to do with it, it’s insulting.”

Adults living in Detroit have a 46% higher prevalence of current asthma compared to the rest of the state.

More:Kids struggle to get effective asthma treatments in hotspots of Detroit, Wayne County

When they first learned Weber would take inspiration from their story in the final project, it left the pair speechless.

“It is such an honor to be viewed that way and see the impact of our work,” Rhonda Theus said. “It’s fulfilling to see that when people look at our work and look at what we do and how we move that it would equate us to these incredible African queens.”

Kim Theus said art helps people digest complicated topics and looks forward to using the Remediation Forest to tell the story of East Canfield’s environmental concerns.

“We are proud to be able to use art to open up dialogues and conversations about what’s going on, not only here in Detroit, but in other communities in the United States that may not have political power,” she said.

The final phase of the project, the addition of the elevated walkway and community meeting space, is expected to be completed by the spring of 2026.

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

Published

5 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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