Art

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art

Published

1 year ago

May 2, 2023

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art

Verticality in architecture conveys aesthetic, symbolic and cultural meanings, representing concepts such as elegance, sophistication, modernity, progress and technological advancement. In religious buildings, for example, it symbolizes greatness and a connection with the divine. These strategies are very common in Gothic architecture, as well as Art déco buildings or even the skyscrapers of Mies van der Rohe. But these elements need not be restricted to grandiose constructions. Even in single-family homes, working with elements that refer to verticality can be just as useful, playing with volumes and facades or working with openings, such as windows and doors.

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art - Image 4 of 16 — Cortesia de Oikos

In contemporary houses, with large halls and high ceilings, oversized doors are especially on-trend. They make a bold statement, drawing attention and accentuating the height of a building. Oikos, a manufacturer of high-performance entry doors, has launched the Skydoors aluminum coating line, which adopts a unique approach focusing on verticality to create designs that seem to reach the sky. They create elegant entrance architecture with special attention to technical details that improve the aesthetics and design of doors, without compromising functionality.

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art - Image 11 of 16 — Cortesia de Oikos

The Skydoors line includes two main products, with similar yet distinct features: Direttrice and Orizzonte. The first focuses on the vertical features by reducing the space between the slats that make up the door, which have different widths (from 75 to 210 mm) held at the same distance from each other through a precise fixation insertion. This design gives movement and elegance to the general appearance of the door, creating thin and rigorous lines that evoke verticality, emphasizing the height of this constructive element.

On the other hand, the Orizzonte model highlights horizontal features that contrast with the predominant verticality of the product line. These horizontal features symbolize the line between heaven and earth, that is, the horizon, which becomes the main focal point of the design. A unique feature of the Orizzonte model is the aluminum groove, which adds a decorative element either in harmony with the finish of the covering, or can create a sharp contrast through the use of a different color, adding a touch of originality.

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art - Image 14 of 16 — Cortesia de Oikos

Vertical Boldness: Transforming Access Doors Into Works of Art - Image 6 of 16 — Cortesia de Oikos

Handles were also carefully selected by Oikos, becoming an integral part of the door design. Fitting perfectly within the vertical slats, the handle houses all the opening accessories of the door, including integrated glass supports that further improve the high technology elements. In addition, the aluminum finishes available on the Skydoors line are diverse, and can vary from light to dark tones, including the colors of the brand palette and metal tones such as bronze and copper. This enables a wide range of options that allows the door to adapt to contemporary architecture and become an element of surprise with its visual and tactile effects. Thus, the doors are more than just a functional element in a construction, becoming prominent points in the design, and transforming the entrance of a building into an expression of style and sophistication.

Source link

Art

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

Published

3 weeks 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.

Source link

Art

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

Published

1 month 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.