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South River art exhibit reveals how insects ‘hear’

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1 year ago

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There is a new exhibit at the New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA) centre in South River which gives the public insight into how insects hear sounds.

Secret Reception is a collaboration between Kristine Diekman, Ben Pagac and Tony Allard, all from California.

Diekman calls the exhibit Secret Reception “because it’s not just about sound production but also about sound reception.”

The exhibit features large drawings of eight insects made from conductive paint. People touch any part of the insects and a miniature computer, sound player, battery, and Bluetooth device all packed in a small housing, triggers the insects’ sounds for the listening public.

The exhibit also includes a corresponding cardboard box for each insect with a small speaker inside that vibrates when the insect drawings are touched.

Diekman says when holding the box, the vibration it makes approximates how an insect feels or receives sounds “which is different from how humans hear.”

“There is a lot known about how insects make sounds but less known about how they receive sounds,” Diekman said.

The eight insect drawings include a bumblebee, mosquito, cicada, parasitic wasp and hissing cockroach.

The inspiration for Secret Reception came from a similar artwork Diekman did where the public touched the finished piece to hear sounds.

Among the public at this earlier exhibit was a group of hearing-impaired people and Diekman said when they picked up a speaker to ‘listen’ to the sounds, “although they couldn’t hear it with their ears, they felt the vibrations.” That set the stage for Diekman to work with Pagac, who is an entomologist, and Allard, who specializes in visual arts, to create what would become Secret Reception.

“Insects’ ears are distributed throughout their bodies,” Diekman said. “For example, wasps and mosquitos hear through their antennas while bees hear through their antennas and hairs,” Diekman said.

The trio set about creating the exhibit with Pagac recording most of the sounds.

Diekman adds sometimes they had to get creative on how to get the recordings without adding the normal background sounds in nature.

She said in the case of the mosquitos, Pagac “attracted them into a jar and put a microphone close to the jar” and recorded their sounds.

Diekman herself followed a bumblebee around landing on flowers and held a microphone close enough to it to capture the sounds it made.

Allard put his visual arts skills to work by creating the large-scale drawings and Diekman made the electronic housings and boxes that produced the vibrations.

The entire project took three months to complete and it had its first showing this past March in Florida at the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology. From there it went to the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C. The stop in South River is the first time the exhibit is in Canada.

Diekman says the exhibit is a big hit with children but adults also enjoy it. It’s an educational piece of art but Diekman adds people can also have fun with it.

For example, if someone picks up one of the boxes and suddenly it vibrates because unknown to them someone else touched one of the insect drawings, “they say how did I make this happen.”

NAISA’s Artistic Director, Darren Copeland, says Secret Reception will be on display until September 4th. He says the exhibit is ideal for families and children attending summer camp to take in over the next couple of months.

Diekman holds community workshops and has been creating art for 40 years but only ventured into the world of sound art in the last five years.

Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

 

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

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57 mins ago

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September 13, 2024

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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

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2024

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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

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4 weeks ago

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August 18, 2024

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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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