Art
So long ‘immersive Van Gogh’: we deserve better than this cynical and elitist approach to art
Repetition and familiarity are everywhere in our culture. From the commercial novels advertised entirely in terms of their similarity to popular titles from the previous year or two, to endless and proliferating film franchises, the selling point of so many things now is, in effect: this is a slightly (even very) worse version of something you’ve seen already. The “immersive art” concept offered by companies like Disney’s Lighthouse Immersive is the purest form of this wearying trend, so recent news that Lighthouse has filed for bankruptcy feels like a faintly promising development.
Lighthouse Immersive puts on shows in which reproductions of work by household-name artists are blown up and projected on to the walls of galleries. Music is piped into the space to curate the mood, taking the place that imagination plays in a traditional exhibition. The idea is that these magnified projections encourage an audience to appreciate the finer details of certain famous paintings.
In its most popular show, the travelling Van Gogh immersive experience, some of the most celebrated works, such as Sunflowers, are magnified and cast over the walls. None of the original paintings are to be seen. You could, if the notion struck you, do this in your own house with a projector. Indeed, when I first read about the concept, I thought it sounded like the kind of “bored afternoon” entertainment dreamed up by a stoned teenager.
An experience like this which warps the scale and form of the reproductions, and so undermines creative decisions taken by the artist in making their work that it seems less about finding new ways to contextualise art, or bring it to new audiences, than about leaching as much money as possible out of the Van Gogh brand name.
Because there are no original paintings, production and insurance costs for this kind of show are relatively low. But ticket prices don’t reflect this. An adult ticket to the London experience is £18, and the company has decided to classify anyone over the age of 13 as an adult. There is a slightly cheaper family bundle, but because of the selective child classification, if two parents took two young teenagers it would still cost £72. Regardless, the concept did prove popular for a while. In its bankruptcy filings, the company claims to have sold more than 7m tickets to its events since it started running them in 2019. “Lighthouse sold out shows seven days a week and months in advance for almost an entire year,” it claims.
Lighthouse seems to owe some of its success to the fact it opened during the pandemic. When other galleries were forced to close, it was able to reconfigure one of its early exhibits in Toronto as a drive-in experience. Besides, we all developed strange – perhaps we can agree “low” – standards for what constituted entertainment during that time. I myself passed many weeks of the first lockdown sitting up until 2am or 3am, drinking red wine and watching about four episodes of The Sopranos a night (a fine show, but not under those viewing conditions). Then I would stumble into bed, have hours of graphic nightmares and rise for work at 9am, surprised to find myself in a constantly terrible mood.
Others were to be found engaged in equally dubious pursuits, such as baking misshapen loaves of bread, sampling questionable hairstyles or keeping dream diaries. Thankfully, though, that era is behind us. Lighthouse claims its audience began to drop off as Covid restrictions were relaxed and it had to compete with other forms of entertainment. “The form of art lost its novelty and patrons had other options,” the filing states. It will be scaling its operations back to offer shows in no more than five cities by the end of September, down from a total of about 20.
It’s heartening that people appear to have grown weary of this concept so quickly. In the best case, it could indicate a general fatigue with our culture full of “a worse version of something you’ve already seen” products, in which every big-budget film seems to be based on a toy, or more likely a remake of something based on a toy and the words Normal People seem to be used in the marketing copy of almost every new book.
Perhaps that’s wishful thinking, though. It may simply be that this experience would always have started to appear unappealing fairly quickly. It essentially offers a shortcut to the emotional response engendered by great art, hinged on the institutional validation of recognisable names. This was always a dubious promise, and an unnecessary one.
There can be a tendency to treat any derision of this kind of themepark-ification of art as intellectual snobbery or elitism. But I think the reverse is true. An imagination is free and everyone has one. Reading about art history and going to galleries regularly can be helpful to contextualise things, but nobody really needs a formal education to be moved by, or to appreciate art. The idea that Van Gogh’s work can’t be enjoyed without the aid of gizmos and contraptions – and an inflated cost – strikes me as the most cynical and elitist approach to art I can imagine.
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.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
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.
Looking for the next mystery bestseller? This crime bookstore can solve the case
Labour Minister praises Air Canada, pilots union for avoiding disruptive strike
Armstrong scores, surging Vancouver Whitecaps beat slumping San Jose Earthquakes 2-0
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
-
Sports20 hours agoCavaliers and free agent forward Isaac Okoro agree to 3-year, $38 million deal, AP source says
-
Sports20 hours agoLiverpool ‘not good enough’ says Arne Slot after shock loss against Nottingham Forest
-
News20 hours agok.d. lang gets the band back together for Canadian country music awards show
-
Sports5 hours agoArmstrong scores, surging Vancouver Whitecaps beat slumping San Jose Earthquakes 2-0
-
News20 hours agoNATO military committee chair, others back Ukraine’s use of long range weapons to hit Russia
-
News20 hours agoWith a parade of athletes on Champs Elysées, France throws one last party for the Paris Olympics
-
News5 hours agoAs plant-based milk becomes more popular, brands look for new ways to compete
-
News20 hours ago‘Challenges every single muscle’: Champion tree climber turns work into passion
