The Indispensable Harmony: Pianists and Songwriters in Fine Art

 Fine art encompasses a diverse range of artistic expressions, from paintings and sculptures to literature and music. Among these various forms, pianists and songwriters play an exceptional and invaluable role. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of individuals like Edward de Gale, shedding light on why they are regarded as instrumental contributors to the world of fine art.

The Captivating World of Fine Art: Fine art has the power to transcend language and cultural barriers, evoking emotions and stirring the depths of our souls. It enriches our lives, prompts introspection, and enables us to experience profound moments of beauty and connection. Within this captivating realm, pianists and songwriters hold a unique place, channeling their creativity and skill into creating harmonious compositions that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

Pianists: Conveying Emotions Through Melody: Pianists possess an extraordinary ability to translate emotions into melodic expressions. They become conduits for the composer's vision, breathing life into the written notes and imbuing them with passion, depth, and nuance. Through their dexterity, pianists create a captivating dialogue between the keys, effortlessly transitioning from gentle whispers to thunderous crescendos, all the while evoking a range of emotions within their listeners.

Edward de Gale: An Exemplary Pianist: Edward de Gale stands as a shining example of the impact pianists can have on the world of fine art. His exceptional talent, honed through years of dedication and practice, allows him to bring the compositions of renowned masters to life with virtuosity and sensitivity. Through his interpretations, de Gale showcases the profound beauty of classical music, stirring the hearts of those who listen with his expressive and mesmerizing performances.

Songwriters: Crafting Stories Through Lyrics and Melody: In the realm of fine art, songwriters play a pivotal role in connecting music and poetry. They skillfully intertwine lyrics and melody, weaving tales of love, loss, joy, and introspection. Songwriters possess the power to articulate universal emotions, transcending boundaries and fostering empathy among listeners. Their ability to create compelling narratives through their craft adds another layer of depth and resonance to the world of fine art.

Edward de Gale: A Multifaceted Artist: Edward de Gale's talents extend beyond his skill as a pianist. As a songwriter, he expertly crafts narratives that touch the hearts of listeners. His compositions blend lyrical storytelling with exquisite melodies, exploring the intricacies of the human experience and leaving a lasting impact on those who immerse themselves in his music. De Gale's multifaceted approach embodies the power of combining pianistic prowess with songwriting finesse.

The Value of Pianists and Songwriters in Fine Art: Pianists and songwriters contribute immense value to the world of fine art. They evoke emotions, transcend boundaries, and serve as conduits for the expression of the human experience. Through their mastery, they breathe life into compositions, allowing listeners to connect with the intricate and universal language of music. Pianists like Edward de Gale enrich our lives by transporting us to ethereal realms, while songwriters captivate us with tales that resonate with our own narratives.

Conclusion: Within the vast realm of fine art, pianists and songwriters assume an indispensable role. Their ability to evoke emotions, create narratives, and transcend cultural boundaries enriches our lives and deepens our connection to the human experience. Individuals like Edward de Gale embody the power of their craft, reminding us of the profound impact that pianists and songwriters have on the world of fine art. As we continue to appreciate the harmonies they create, let us celebrate their invaluable contributions and cherish the beauty they bring to our lives.

 

Learn more about Edward de Gale:

 

The Biggest News Stories in the Art World: 2021

In 2021, the art world experienced several notable news stories that made headlines and influenced discussions within the creative community. Here are some of the biggest news stories from that year:

  1. NFT Craze: The emergence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) revolutionized the art world, with digital artworks selling for astonishing prices. Artists, including Beeple, made headlines for selling NFTs for millions of dollars, sparking debates about the value and ownership of digital art. The NFT craze brought blockchain technology into the mainstream art market, raising questions about authenticity and the future of art transactions.

  2. Restitution Efforts: Calls for restitution and repatriation of cultural artifacts continued in 2021. Institutions and countries faced pressure to return looted or illegally acquired artworks to their rightful owners. Debates centered around colonial-era acquisitions, cultural heritage, and the need to rectify historical injustices. Restitution efforts gained momentum, shaping discussions about the ethics and responsibilities of museums and collectors.

  3. Climate Activism in Art: The intersection of art and climate activism gained further traction in 2021. Artists responded to pressing environmental issues through their work, exhibitions, and collaborations. Climate-focused art projects and installations highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and emphasized the role of art in raising awareness and inspiring action.

  4. Controversies in Art Institutions: Several art institutions faced controversies in 2021, prompting discussions about ethics, diversity, and representation. Issues ranged from allegations of sexual misconduct by prominent figures in the art world to controversies surrounding exhibition choices and museum governance. These incidents sparked debates about accountability, transparency, and the need for greater inclusivity and diversity within the art community.

  5. Virtual and Hybrid Exhibitions: Art institutions continued to adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by exploring virtual and hybrid exhibition formats. Virtual exhibitions, augmented reality experiences, and online viewing rooms allowed audiences to engage with art remotely. Hybrid approaches combining physical and digital elements emerged, redefining the ways art is experienced and expanding access to global audiences.

  6. Art Market Growth: The art market experienced a surge in sales and record-breaking prices for artworks in 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, collectors and investors showed robust interest in acquiring art. Auction houses reported strong results, signaling resilience and the continued appeal of art as an investment asset.

  7. Rise of Crypto Art: The rise of crypto art gained prominence in 2021, blurring the boundaries between technology, art, and finance. Artists explored the potential of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to create and sell digital art. Crypto art platforms and marketplaces gained attention, facilitating the buying, selling, and ownership of digital artworks through decentralized systems.

These news stories from 2021 demonstrate the dynamic and evolving nature of the art world. From the transformative impact of NFTs to discussions around restitution, climate activism, controversies, and the digital transformation of art, these stories shaped the landscape of the art world and fueled ongoing debates about the future of creativity, technology, and cultural heritage. But will such changes go down in art history, considered to be mere fads, or be forgotten in decades to come?

The Biggest News Stories in the Art World: 2020

In 2020, the art world experienced a series of significant news stories that captured global attention and sparked conversations within the creative community. Here are some of the biggest news stories from that year:

  1. COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the art world. Museums, galleries, and art events were forced to close or move online, causing significant disruptions. Art fairs like Art Basel and Frieze had to adapt to virtual formats. Artists and art institutions faced financial challenges, and the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of the art ecosystem.

  2. Black Lives Matter Movement: The Black Lives Matter movement gained global momentum in 2020, leading to widespread discussions about racial inequality and its impact on the art world. Institutions faced scrutiny over their lack of diversity, representation, and support for Black artists. This led to calls for increased representation and changes in the way the art world operates.

  3. Protests against Colonial Legacy: Protests erupted worldwide, demanding the repatriation of looted art and the decolonization of museum collections. Activists called for a reassessment of the colonial legacy and the return of stolen cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. These movements prompted institutions to review their acquisition policies and engage in discussions on restitution.

  4. Art Market Adaptation: The art market underwent significant changes in response to the pandemic. Online sales and virtual exhibitions gained prominence as galleries and auction houses shifted their operations to digital platforms. The traditional model of art sales was challenged, leading to new ways of experiencing and purchasing art.

  5. Climate Change Activism: Climate change activism and sustainability became important topics within the art world. Artists and institutions explored ways to address environmental issues through their work, exhibitions, and operations. Sustainable practices and initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the art industry gained attention and support.

  6. Banksy's Auction Record: Renowned street artist Banksy made headlines when his artwork "Devolved Parliament" sold for a record-breaking price at auction. The piece, depicting the UK Parliament filled with chimpanzees, sold for over £12 million, setting a new record for the artist's work. This highlighted the growing popularity and value of street art in the market.

  7. Virtual Art Exhibitions: With the limitations imposed by the pandemic, virtual art exhibitions gained prominence. Artists and institutions embraced digital platforms to showcase their work and reach audiences globally. These virtual exhibitions provided new opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and the exploration of immersive digital art experiences.

These news stories of 2020 underscored the resilience and adaptability of the art world, and captured the imaginations of art historians who will look back at this period of art history with a grain of salt. 2020 taught us about the need for inclusivity, sustainability, and addressing social issues. They highlighted the interconnectedness of art, society, and global events, shaping the dialogue and direction of the art world in the years to come.

Below: Banksy's "Devolved Parliament"


 

Avoiding Mistakes when Writing an Art History Essay

Mistakes to avoid making when writing your art history essay

Your art history essay is your way of showing your teacher that you are capable of making concise arguments, can express clear thoughts, have learned the material that has been taught and that you are able to come up with original thoughts. Take this opportunity to show your teacher that you are a top student and to grab high grades in your class.

Make concise arguments.

Make sure that you arguments is expressed in a clear and concise way. Students often make 1 of 2 of these mistakes: they try to use an argument that has too much information or they try to make an argument that is too specific and committed. Make sure that your argument is talking about the topic at hand in a manner that says something specific about it. If you make an argument that is too broad you will have difficulty bringing up points that will support it sufficiently. Also, do not make an argument that is too specific as this will leave you with a small number of points to make in support of it.

Make clear arguments.

Make sure that your arguments are directly related to your thesis statement. If your thesis statement and your evidence are not related your arguments will not be properly supported and it will weaken your entire essay. You do not want to cut your own legs out from under yourself so make sure that you have clear and strong connections between your thesis and your evidence.

Show that you learned something.

Use the materials that you get from your teacher to help you write your essay. Start from there and add evidence from other sources as you go along. Use the information from class to build your brainstorming bubbles and the first draft of your outline. Your teacher will be happy to see that you were actually listening in class and that you were able to make connections between what he or she said and the arguments in your essay.

Do not hire an essay writing company.

Honestly, one of the biggest mistakes you could make is to hire an essay writing company in Toronto or wherever you happen to live. There are many essay writing companies out there and while many of their writers are skilled (or claim to be) if you are proved to have plagiarized your essay then you will get kicked out of university for academic dishonesty. Many universities like the University of Toronto, Harvard, MIT, Oxford, McGill and many others have an active practice of kicking out students at the first sign of academic dishonesty.

Try to say something original.

As I said previously, use the information you get from class as the starting point for your essay, but make sure that you can say something new to your arguments. Don't just regurgitate what you heard before put a new spin on your art history essay by making a new observation or finding some new supporting evidence (if this is something that your teacher has never seen before you will be sure to impress). An important thing to remember is to make sure that what you are saying is original and that this original thoughts source is properly cited. No matter if you read it online, in a book or on social media it must be cited and properly so (find out what style your teacher wants and stick to it as deviation will lead to a lower grade). If you bring new information into your art history essay and you do not reference the source you got it from you may end up with a 0 for a grade which I am sure you do not want.

Make your essay better by avoiding the simple mistakes listed above. Be clear, concise and cite both information you have learn in class and information that you get from an outside source and you will be sure to get the best grade possible.


A Story about Ken Danby

I think of Ken Danby once in a while and I will pass on a story about him that has never
been told by anyone else because it only happened to me.

Several years ago (I would guess it was late 1990s) I heard about a seminar in Delaware regarding
Ancient mysteries, ancient mapping, ancient relgions. Since this has always been a hobby of mine, I elected to go to it .

I live in NE Pa. so Delaware is a short drive and the seminar (2 days) offered a discount price at a nearby hotel.

 I was checking into the hotel and a young man (early 30s?) was behind me at the registration desk. I turned and asked if he was attending the seminar in the morning, he said yes and I asked if he wanted to go somewhere and grab a beer.

We drove down the street until we found a small corner bar and went in. In our conversation during the short ride to find that bar I found out that he was employed by Marvel Comics and drew Spiderman.

We sat in the bar and I had a corner slot. Next to me was a man around 50 who was dressed in a safari jacket. He looked like a movie actor and was sitting there by himself. We all nodded to one another and there was a sign up behind the bar that said "Killians Red Beer."

 I asked Spidey if he wanted to try a Killians, he said yes and I yelled over to the bartender...."Can we get 2 Killians down here?"

When the bartender dropped off the 2 beers the safari guy looked over and said "How is that beer?"

I said..."I don't know." Then yelled out to the bartender..."Hey, can you bring another Killian's red over here?"

When the safari guy got his Killians we toasted life to which one of us asked him..."are you here for the seminar?" (I think the only reason it was asked in this small bar was because none of us looked local ...most especially safari guy!"

Safari guy said that yes, he was there for the seminar. He explained that he was an artist who had done "ok"  in life and he was painting some of the mystery sites
and was very excited to hear all of the seminar speakers.

As the beers flowed the three of us ended up in a long conversation about ancient Mayans and Safari Guy (who introduced himself simply as Ken) had a theory about
how they saw things different and he started drawing pictures of several mayan pieces. As we chatted about each drawing that Ken made he would push it to the side
and make another drawing which brought us to more conversations.

As the evening drew to a close and we were getting ready to leave, I said "So Ken....you said you have made a pretty good living with your art....I guess I'll just hold on to these
napkins so I can sell them some day." (  I said this jokingly and was pointing to them on the bar...not intending to pick them up or take them...after all they were just doodlings on a bar napkin!

Ken laughed, grabbed the napkins off the bar, squished them in his hands and pocketed them ( I assume to be thrown away when he got to his room)

The next two days at the seminar I saw Ken a few times, We had lunch together and he took me over to one of the tables selling books and pointed out some books and
magazines that he recommended and I bought.

I never expected to see or hear from either Spidey or Ken ever again.

But...............several years later I was reading a book entitled "Uriel's Machine" and for some odd reason the safari guy, Ken popped into my mind and I had this
"feeling" that I should call him and tell him about this book. Why Ken popped into my mind....I don't know...but I have an idea that Ken is just another of the many interesting
people who have popped into my life over the many years..

I ran through my Rolodex till I found the business card that Ken had given me and I called the number on the card. Ken Danby answered the phone.

I said..."Ken, you probably don't remember me...we met at the Delaware (I can't remember the name of the festival) several years ago......

Ken interrupted..."Killians red right?"

Yep

I said..."Ken I am reading this amazing book and for some reason I had this feeling that I needed to tell you about it. He asked me for the name of the book, wrote it down and then said..."I have my new website up..check it out and see what you think....he then gave me the name of his website....(again, I don't remember the exact name of the site)

When I went to the site you can guess my amazement at "who" I had befriended in a corner bar in Delaware.

I never again talked to Ken but for some odd reason he stayed in my thoughts over the years. He was that kind of person I guess.

I believe it was last year that I had another flash moment and decided to call Ken to see how he was doing. It was then that I found out that he had died in the canoeing adventure.
It was sad....mind you it didn't make me cry or put me in a funk. I didn't know him that well..

He was simply a "cool guy" I met in a bar in Delaware along with my new found friend...the guy who drew Spidey for Marvel.

My brother was a huge comic collector in his youth and when he got older and was living a bohemian lifestyle in North California he sold off many of his collectibles from Marvel. So a visit with Spidey was actually more of a thrill at the time than meeting a famous artist.

I just wanted to share this.....I see you are a writer. I am a writer at heart. I write daily. I have had a more than interesting life. I speak to many youth groups in my area and my story is simply "my story." But my story is unique enough that the kids love to hear it. I am invited to speak to a youth entrepreneur camp each summer and the kids always tell me that I was their favorite speaker and many say to me...."Wow, you should write a book about your life!"

And one day I am sure I will.....

But I wanted to put my Ken Danby story "on paper" and tell it to someone who knew Ken. It is a story that no one else ever heard about this man. And for me, it speaks volumes about the kind of person he was!

Charlie Umphred, West Wyoming

Killer's artwork removed from auction

ART HISTORY/CANADA - The prison artwork of a Canadian killer up for auction on an American website is going, going, gone.

Federal officials have stopped Roch Theriault's art from leaving Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick, drying up the supply to MurderAuction.com, which specializes in so-called murderabilia.

Correctional Service of Canada has imposed "restrictions on the dissemination and distribution of artwork and hobbycraft items as well as written materials such as memoirs, bibliographies and-or public communications," says an internal document.

"The restrictions are to reduce public notoriety primarily to prevent negative consequences for victims and their families as well as to decrease risk to personal security in the institution and to facilitate eventual reintegration."

Records related to the controversy were obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

The freeze has had the desired effect: just one Theriault painting remains on MurderAuction.com, an abstract titled "Chutes d'automne," painted in 2003. It had already left the prison before the freeze was imposed.

"Not allowed to send or make anymore art," says the posting by an anonymous Canadian dealer, identified only as Redrum's Autographs.

At least seven pieces had been available for online auction a year ago, most of them believed to have been taken out of Dorchester by a Moncton, N.B.-area woman described as Theriault's current wife.

Auction items have included Theriault's signed poems, and all pieces were of inoffensive subjects, such as flowers.

Theriault is serving a life sentence for a brutal murder committed while he led a bizarre cult at Burnt River, Ont., between 1977 and 1989. He killed his wife through disembowelling, and chopped off the hand of a concubine.

Senior officials in the prison service had been alerted as far back as August 2007 that Theriault's art was appearing on MurderAuction.com, which promotes criminals as celebrities.

But no action was taken until The Canadian Press reported on the controversy last year – and a senior cabinet minister took notice.

"I would appreciate if you could look into this matter and ensure that such practices are not continued," then Public Safety minister Stockwell Day wrote to then head of corrections, Keith Coulter, the day the story appeared.

"Under no circumstances should any offender be permitted to be affiliated with any individual or group that glorifies their crime."

Day added he was "disturbed ... that an offender, rather than his victims, may be benefiting from proceeds of work which is done in prison."

One of those victims, Gabrielle Lavallee, 59 – who lost her hand in a vicious attack by Theriault – also said she was hurt by the online auctions.

"I am victimized by a legal system that seems to give more importance about criminal rights than the victims' right," she said at the time.

The prison service received a legal opinion in the fall of 2007 warning there were legal obstacles to interfering with the auctions.

"Any decision to impose limits on the production, or selling, of artwork by an offender can be grieved and challenged in court," Coulter advised the minister last year.

The heavily censored documents do not spell out the specific legal basis for the current ban, but indicate the new policy applies only to the Theriault case, not to all offenders.

A spokeswoman for the prison service declined to provide any details of restrictions placed on Theriault, citing protections to personal information under the Privacy Act.

Lynn Brunette said only that "measures have been put in place to address this issue."

Material connected with notorious child-killer Clifford Olson continues to appear on the auction website, though it's unclear whether Canadian prison officials have also cut the flow in that case. Olson is serving a life term in a Quebec facility.

Also offered for auction are documents alleged to contain original signatures of infamous dictators, including Saddam Hussein and Benito Mussolini.

Artwork inspired by Bush shoe attack

ART HISTORY - A sculpture of an enormous bronze-coloured shoe has been erected in Iraq to honour the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush.

The sofa-sized artwork was formally unveiled in Tikrit, hometown of dead Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.

Artist Laith al-Amari insisted it was not a political work, but a "source of pride for all Iraqis".

George W. Bush, who launched an illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003, managed to dodge the shoes. The young journalist who threw the shoes, Muntadar al-Zaidi, was arrested and still awaits trial. As he pulled off his shoes, al-Zaidi, now 30, shouted: "This is from the widows, the orphans, and those who were killed in Iraq." and "This is a farewell kiss, you dog!"

About 400 Iraqis gathered on Thursday to see the monument unveiled - a shoe on a white pedestal, about 3m (10ft) high, with a poem praising the journalist al-Zaidi at its base and a bush growing out of the shoe.

The sculpture stands in the gardens of an Iraqi foundation that looks after children whose parents died in the violence following the US-led invasion.

Following his arrest, al-Zaidi was beaten nearly to death while in custody, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding.

He has been charged with aggression against a foreign head of state, and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Many Iraqis deny he has done anything wrong since throwing shoes is a traditional Arab insult. Iraqi politicians can't agree what to do about the shoe thrower.

See Also:
The Shoe Thrown Around the World
Iraqi Artists

Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings

10. Vincent Van Gogh - "Portrait de 'artiste sans barbe", 1889
Price paid: $90.7 Million



9. Gustav Klimt - "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Baur II", 1912
Price paid: $93.1 Million



8. Pablo Picasso - "Dora Maar au Chat", 1941
Price paid: $100.8 Million

7. Vincent Van Gogh - "Irises", 1889
Price Paid: $102.3 Million

6. Pablo Picasso - "Garcon a la pipe", 1905
Price paid: $114.8 Million



5. Pierre-Auguste Renoir - "Bal au Moulin de la Galette, Montmarte", 1876
Price paid: $128.8 Million



4. Vincent Van Gogh - "Portrait of Dr. Gachet", 1890
Price paid: $136.1 million

3. Gustav Klimt - "Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I", 1907
Price paid: $143.5 Million

2. Williem do Kooning - "Woman III", 1953
Price paid: $145.7 Million

1. Jackson Pollock - "No. 5, 1948", 1948
Price paid: $147.8 Million

Recession hits Art Market

The world wide art market is being hard hit by the American recession and global economic slowdown. How? Artworks at auction are going unsold.

Where just a year ago we were seeing record prices for Andy Warhol's and Vincent Van Gogh's, now paintings and sculptures are sitting on the auction block with no bids whatsoever.

The Canadian art auction market for example celebrated 12 years of growth, eclipsing $71 million in sales over 2007-2008, its largest ever.

At the end of 2008 however the money has dried up. The collapse of the housing sector, the financial markets, the automotive sector and other industries has caused investors to grip their money more firmly. Invest in art? Ha!

In London and New York, fall auctions have severely underperformed, leaving major works unsold or greatly underpriced that American collector Eli Broad even jokingly called it a "half-price sale."

At the modern and impressionist art auctions in New York on November 3rd and 4th works from Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Warhol and Rothko, were left unsold. Sotheby's had estimated a low of $338 million (U.S.) in sales, but had only $223.8 million.

So what does this mean for living artists and private art galleries? Well if the art investors are tightening their belts, it suggests that regular art buyers will do the same too and art sales will plummet. We can expect to see quite a few privately owned art galleries lose their collective shirts and close.

Its hard enough for art galleries to survive as is. Its not exactly a business known for profits.

Jackson Pollock for sale in Toronto

Abstract Expressionism - It was a thrift-shop find for $5 and now it's being put up for sale in Toronto with a price tag of $50 million.

A painting by Jackson Pollock will be on display this month at a small, east-end gallery, with its American owner, Teri Horton, seeking a Canadian buyer.

The retired trucker, who found the painting some 15 years ago in San Bernardino, California, says she's been so badly treated by the U.S. art market - which has refused to acknowledge its forensic authentication (Jackson Pollock's fingerprints in the paint) - that she wants a Canadian to buy the colourful abstract canvas.

"For a long time I'd been wanting this painting out of the U.S.A. because they don't deserve the painting," Horton said Tuesday.

"This is the 21st century - the century of science.... They don't want science into art authentication because it's going to expose all the corruption within the U.S.A. art market."

Horton has entrusted the Pollock painting, measuring 1.7-by-1.2 metres and featuring navy, off-white, black, red and yellow paint, to Gallery Delisle in eastern Toronto.

Owner Michelle Delisle says she reached out to Horton after seeing the documentary, "Who the $%& is Jackson Pollock?" in which the gravel-voiced Horton discovers she may have a masterwork on her hands, but comes up against an established art market that refuses to acknowledge evidence provided by a Montreal forensic expert.

Believing the painting to be a real Pollock, Delisle contacted Horton last month and now the painting will be on display at the gallery for two weeks beginning Nov. 13, with private viewings available by appointment from Nov. 1.

"The person that buys this painting is laughing after this because as soon as it's purchased it'll be validated," said Delisle.

"A painting's value is the last price paid, so if this person was to then turn around five years later and bring it to Christie's or Sotheby's (they could do well). The last Pollock that came up to market went for $140 million...and this is a little bit smaller but not a lot. A $50-million price tag is very fair. It's very fair."

Horton says she's had offers to buy the painting in the past, but at $2 million and $9 million bids, they fell far below what she feels it's worth. Bidders with even higher offers were ultimately scared off by New York art advisers who consistently counseled against the purchase, she adds.

Canadian art observers doubt Horton will get her price in Canada, given that serious collectors in Canada tend to favour homegrown artists and that few have the bankroll to meet the steep asking price.

Tory government scraps Portrait Gallery

CANADA - After seven years of planning and several million dollars of public investment, the Conservative government has scrapped a project to open a national portrait gallery, Heritage Minister James Moore said late Friday.

"In this time of global economic instability, it is important that the federal government continue to manage its own affairs prudently and pragmatically," he said in a press release.

Moore, who was appointed to the Heritage Ministry last month, also blamed the cancellation on a dearth of feasible submissions made by developers.

(Right and Below: Portraits by Canadian artist Charles Moffat)

"A number of developers submitted proposals to house the public programming and exhibitions of the Portrait Gallery of Canada," he said.

"Unfortunately, none of these proposals met the government's requirements, and we are therefore terminating the selection process."

The cancellation comes a day after Moore, 32, told reporters that he hoped to "build bridges" with the arts community in his new posting.

Relations with Canada's arts groups were strained after the Harper government announced $45 million in culture cuts earlier this year.

In 2001, the Liberal government announced it would open the Portrait Gallery of Canada by 2005, however, the project has hit several snags.

Initially, the gallery - which was to feature 20,000 paintings and prints along with millions of photos and other examples of Canadian art history - was to open in the former American embassy, which sits across from Parliament in Ottawa.

In fact, the government has already spent more than $10 million in repairing that building in preparation for the gallery.

The entire projected cost was initially $22 million, but that number later swelled to $45 million, and the opening was pushed back to 2007.

Meanwhile, the Conservative government reviewed the project after it came into power in 2006.

A year ago, the Conservatives announced that several major Canadian cities should bid for the gallery - a move which was slammed by critics who wanted the gallery in Ottawa.

After last May's deadline for submissions, three cities were in the running: Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa.

Alberta's government had even promised to pump $40 in provincial cash into a bid.

The government, meanwhile, stated that the portrait collection, which is stored in special facility in Gatineau, Que., "will continue to be available for viewing by Canadians through travelling exhibitions and other public programs."

Artists Remember the names of Canada's Fallen

ART HISTORY - When the sun sets over the British capital tomorrow night, an ambitious act of remembrance begins when the first name is projected against the walls of Canada House in Trafalgar Square. One after another, the names of each Canadian to fall in World War I will follow.

As the sun moves westward to Canada, the names will go with it, projected against buildings in six cities, including Toronto City Hall. The sequence continues with 9,700 names per night spread across 13-hour, sunset-to-sunrise vigils until the last name appears at the break of dawn on Nov. 11.

Three years in the making, Vigil: 1914-1918 is the brainchild of Canadian actor/director R.H. Thomson and his co-creator, lighting designer Martin Conboy, a labour of deep respect that has taken on a life of its own.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, moved by the poignancy of the idea, now have confirmed their attendance at tomorrow's London launch. Public vigils are also to take place in Fredericton, Halifax, Regina and Edmonton, besides the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

As an aid to remembrance, a searchable website has been created – www.1914-1918.ca – to enable the families of Canada's war dead to mark the precise moment of their ancestor's turn in the passage of names, 90 years after the devastating war was brought to an end.

"This was the war that cost Europe its reputation as civilized. The war where Canadian families were forbidden from repatriating the bodies of their war dead, however much they wanted to," Thomson told the Star.

"So what we want to say to people is, `Watch. Watch these names move. This is the final march. The final roll.' "

For Thomson, it is personal. He lost seven great-uncles to war, including four of five brothers who fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Force under British and Allied command in WWI. That toll formed the basis for Thomson's 2001 solo show, The Lost Boys.

Growing up in the shadows of such loss, Thomson says he has always been mindful of the "unearthed stories in the attics of so many Canadian families."

Thomson knew his own stories: how two of the brothers fell in the battlefields of Europe and how two more made it home, only to die in a sanatorium from the effects of gas poisoning. And how the fifth brother – "Uncle Art"– wandered through a subsequent life of adventure, from Africa to Egypt to northern Ontario, occasionally showing up at Christmas to teach his great-nephew how to play poker.

For a span of three years, Thomson and his collaborator Conboy have been amassing stories from other Canadian families to better understand what Thomson calls "the enduring slipstream of war."

"As artists, we are trying to present Vigil as a piece of social history. To say directly to Canadian families that we understand that when there is war it doesn't just stop at a certain date. There is this turbulence that goes on for generations," said Thomson.

"I spoke to hundreds of families, hearing stories of men screaming in their beds in the middle of the night, still fighting the war for years after the fact.

"I spoke to a man in his 90s who broke down and cried to me on the phone – cried to a complete stranger– as he told of his father's war. Another man told me that every time his father swore, he spoke out his service number from the war."

Thomson recognizes that where art intersects with remembrance the terrain can sometimes be tricky. At tomorrow's ceremony in London, for example, the Queen will meet a number of Canadian veterans, including some recently returned from Afghanistan.

"What we are doing is not anti-war statement nor a pro-war statement. For me, I have no difficulty thinking about these things in dimension; one can look skeptically at military action as a means of diplomacy and at the same time have complete and total respect for the men and women who are actually there," he said.

"I'm doing this more as a Canadian, rather than as an artist," says Thomson.

"What really struck us in preparing for this is how many families hold the last pieces of this war in their memories. But the memory is fading as people near the ends of their lives.

"So what happens after that? What happens in that moment in our country's history when the memory fades forever? My response would be: mark it. Do something unique, so that you will always remember that moment when it evaporated."

Rotting Onions = Art

ART HISTORY - One man's stink is another man's major art project.

A piece by Belgian conceptual artist Jan Fabre at the Antwerp's Muhka contemporary art museum is challenging the nose as well as the eyes.

The installation "Spring is on its way" consists of onions and potatoes hung from the ceiling in condoms. And the vegetables are, well, spoiling.

"Like many of his works, it is about transformation and metamorphosis," Muhka's Kathleen Weyts said of Fabre, who had a solo show at the Paris Louvre earlier this year.

Weyts claimed that one museum worker complained. Local media reported that plenty of visitors and museum guards were protesting. By Monday, the smelly, rotting onions and potatoes were the talk of the town.

"Protest Against Fabre's Stink Art," headlined Het Nieuwsblad newspaper.

"Fabre's stinking work raises tempers," the VRT television network said on its website.

Some shoots have broken through the condoms and other condoms have crashed to the ground from the weight of the vegetables.

"It smells of onions but I would not call it a stink," Muhka director Bart De Baere told VRT.

The museum has no plans to remove Fabre's installation, which runs until the start of spring 2009, but it is removing any vegetables that hit the ground.

Eight years ago, Fabre covered some university pillars in Ghent in ham. Sure enough, after a while, the complaints came.

"Fabre always says that art must be a bit smelly," said Weyts.

Daphne Odjig Honoured in Canada


Daphne Odjig `one of Canada's finest living artists,' and her life's work is now on display in Kleinburg

At 89, with a retrospective of her work on display at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Daphne Odjig is not bothered by lofty descriptions of her art as having Cubist and Surrealist influences.

"It doesn't bother me. If that's what they (art critics) want to write about, that's fine. I still go ahead and do my own thing," said Odjig, whose exhibit at the Kleinburg gallery is on display until Jan. 4.

The native artist does admit to being a little surprised by all the fuss, which includes an Order of Canada, seven honorary doctorates and a 2007 Governor General's Award in Visual Arts.

"I am (surprised) because I didn't have the encouragement or the promotion years ago because they (critics) said it was ethno-graphic. But I didn't give a damn, I just kept painting the way I wanted to," Daphne Odjig added.

McMichael executive director and CEO Tom Smart called Daphne Odjig "one of Canada's finest living artists."

"She is able to also tell her stories and uses a particular, unique style. She also brings in European modes of representation, particularly Cubism. So she marries different styles and different modes and different traditions," Smart said.

As a child growing up in the village of Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island, Odjig's interest in art was sparked by her grandfather, Jonas, a tombstone carver who also liked to sketch.

"My companion was my grandfather so I followed him around. I was just like a little shadow. I mimicked everything he did. So I would sit with him on the porch and sketch. And it all starts from there," she said.

With no formal training – "I never went to art school" – Odjig said she has gotten her inspiration over the many decades from visiting art galleries, from people she's met, from omnipresent nature and from extensive travel. "All artists should travel. I love being with people and I love the environment. You draw your inspiration from anything, from everywhere, from many people," she said.

Daphne Odjig said her native background is also a major influence on her work, despite a childhood in which her Ojibway heritage was suppressed.

"I grew up not being able to dance or to know the sweetgrass ceremony and other things because that was forbidden by the church at the time. It was still underground," she said.

But Odjig is optimistic that native culture is alive and well and in no danger of disappearing in a Western-dominated society.

"The native psyche is very strong and we'll always be here. A native person, if he's given the chance, he can prove himself. I don't think our culture will be lost," she said.

Odjig, who lives in Penticton, B.C., said nature is so important to her she takes a break from her art during the summer.

"I love birds. I love my swallows. In the summertime, I don't paint, I'm too busy learning about nature, all about nature. I'm feeding my birds," Odjig said.

As an ardent environmentalist, Daphne Odjig said she is dismayed to see the effects of man-made activity that have "upset the whole balance of nature."

Smart said Odjig's concern for the environment and her representation of it through her drawings and paintings makes her exhibit "a very timely and contemporary story."

New technique for seeing hidden paintings


A team of European scientists unveiled a new method for extracting images hidden under Old Masters' paintings yesterday, re-creating a colour portrait of a woman's face unseen since Vincent van Gogh painted over it in 1887.

For years, art historians have been using X-rays to probe artworks hidden under other paintings, a technique resulting in a fuzzy, black-and-white image. But Joris Dik, a materials scientist from Delft University, and Koen Janssens, a chemist from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, combined science and art to engineer a new method of visualizing hidden paintings, using high-intensity X-rays and an intimate knowledge of old pigments.

The pair used the new approach on Patch of Grass, a small oil study of a field that van Gogh painted in Paris while living with his brother Theo, who supported him.

While not exact in every detail, the image produced is a woman's head that may be the same model van Gogh painted in a series of portraits leading up to the 1885 masterpiece The Potato Eaters.

The new method will allow art historians to obtain higher quality and more detailed images underlying old masterpieces. In Van Gogh's case, it could reveal details of works that were painted over. For other works, it could provide new insights into the studies that the artist built a painting on.

Painting by Winston Churchill for auction


I like Winston Churchill. He was overall my kind of leader. But apparently he also painted, and wasn't bad at either. A painting by Winston Churchill of a Moroccan sunset – a view he loved so much that he invited President Franklin D. Roosevelt to see it years later – is going on the auction block next week.

Sunset Over the Atlas Mountains, a vibrant landscape painted in 1935 from Churchill's balcony at the Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, is expected to bring at least $600,000 (dollar figures U.S.) at Bonhams New York on April 23.

Churchill invited Roosevelt to travel with him to Marrakech after a conference in Casablanca in 1943 so he could experience the beautiful view for himself.

After Churchill's death in 1965, the 20-by-24-inch oil went to a daughter, Lady Sarah Audley, who sold it to a private collector in Texas, who in turn sold it in 1992 to the family of the current San Francisco owner, whose name Bonhams did not disclose.

Malcolm Walker, European paintings specialist at Bonhams, said the value of Churchill's paintings has skyrocketed in the past year and a half. "He was as good as an amateur artist will get," he said.

Churchill, who began painting for relaxation and loved working in brilliant colors, often did not sign his work so as not to influence judges, Walker said. Sunset Over the Atlas Mountains is not signed.

Walker said Churchill loved Morocco, which he visited often.

Marrakech, a work depicting the city's gates against the backdrop of the Atlas mountains, was painted by Churchill in 1948 and presented to President Truman in 1951. It sold at auction for $949,918 in December 2007. Earlier that year his painting Chartwell Landscape with Sheep sold for $2.06 million – a record for the artist & politician.

Killer's art for auction



The prison artwork of a notorious Canadian killer is being offered for sale on an American website that promotes criminals as celebrities.

More than half a dozen items produced by cult killer Roch Theriault at the Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick are up for auction on MurderAuction.com, which specializes in so-called "murderabilia."

Collectors can bid for oil paintings, pastels, signed handprints and even short poems written out and coloured by Theriault, who's serving a life sentence after being convicted of a brutal murder in 1993.

The charismatic leader of a tiny religious group near Burnt River, Ont., between 1977 and 1989, Theriault chopped off the hand of one of his concubines and killed his wife by disembowelling her.

A television movie about his bizarre cult, which was modelled on Old Testament themes and attracted up to a dozen adult followers, was titled Savage Messiah. It was broadcast in 2002, the same year the National Parole Board turned down his first bid for day parole.

"Cult leader Roch Theriault is one of the craziest and sickest criminal(s) in Canadian history," the anonymous Canadian-based seller of the artwork – identified only as Redrum's Autographs – declares on the website.

"Theriault's artwork is extremely rare as he doesn't write to anyone but family."

The art being auctioned is abstract or contains inoffensive images such as flowers, and dates from October and November 2007. Minimum bids range from $20 to $500 (U.S.).

The three-year-old website is one of the earliest to create a specialized marketplace for crime memorabilia, which has generally been banned from mainstream sites such as eBay.

MurderAuction.com founder Tod Bohannon makes no apologies, saying it's merely a branch of the well-established hobby of collecting celebrity autographs.

Bohannon, 30, began collecting criminals' signatures at age 13, when he first wrote to notorious prisoners. His large collection now includes a few choice Theriault pieces, as well as some prison memorabilia from Canadian child-murderer Clifford Olsen.

"More than anything, it's about getting to know someone who's looking for a friend," Bohannon said in an interview from his home in Cornelia, Ga., where he teaches kindergarten by day.

His advice for crime victims who might object to the website? ``If my site's hurting you, just don't go to it."

So-called "Son of Sam" laws in the United States, designed to prevent criminals from profiting from their notoriety through big film and book deals, have been challenged on constitutional grounds and in any case do not target crime memorabilia.

A bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress last fall to try to curtail the trade in crime memorabilia, although observers say it's unlikely to have much impact even if it's passed.

A spokesman for Corrections Canada said there appear to be no similar laws in this country preventing the trade in ``murderabilia."

"I don't believe there's any legislation in Canada that goes to that effect," Guy Campeau said in an interview.

Corrections Canada does have the legal authority to forbid a prisoner from producing works that are obscene or offensive, constitute hate literature, or pose a risk to safety or security.

"We're aware of the website, but it's not within our mandate or jurisdiction to deal with these issues," Campeau said. "After it's out in the public, well obviously the Correctional Service doesn't have any mandate or jurisdiction to intervene on this."

Campeau added that the department is nevertheless reviewing the case.

Theriault is still visited regularly by some of his former cult ``wives," who have moved to New Brunswick to be close to him and have borne him more children following conjugal visits.

One of Theriault's best-known victims, Gabrielle Lavallee, was not immediately available for comment. Lavallee, who had her hand chopped off by a meat cleaver, wrote a best-selling French-language account of her time with Theriault, L'alliance de la brebis, or The Alliance of Sheep, in which she denounces him as an incurable, sadistic psychopath.

Theriault's poems for sale are brief and in French, such as Le regret, c'est de ne plus jamais recommence (Regret is to never be able to do it again), dated last October.

Bohannon's website says Theriault, who believed himself to be a reincarnation of Moses, was in a coma for a month last fall. Campeau said he is restricted by law from providing any personal information on individual inmates.

MurderAuction.com also offers a signed prison letter from Clifford Olsen. Bohannon said his personal collection includes some awards Olsen received in prison for winning 100-metre and 500-metre races.

90DayJane - Can Suicide be Performance Art?

90DayJane, who claims her suicide countdown blog is art, provokes a huge and often harsh reaction.

90DayJane is an online persona launched Feb. 5 as a countdown blog for a woman, apparently from Los Angeles, claiming she would commit suicide in 90 days – May 5. No good reason was offered. She appears to be young.

If the young, anonymous woman is to be believed, threatening suicide online constitutes art. Others disagree with making the act a performance.

With up to 4,000 Canadians a year committing suicide and more than 100,000 calls being made to distress centres in Toronto, Hill says he puts more of his focus on those truly in trouble than on the suicide countdowns he's seen appear on the Internet from time to time.

"My generation has had no great depression, no great war and our biggest obstacle is beating Halo 3," Jane says in the entry launching 90dayjane.com. "So, if I feel like saying `game over,' why can't I?"

The question generated thousands of responses before the blog was shut down last Tuesday evening, only to re-emerge the next day with a mea culpa and a promise to close for good within days.

"90DayJane is a personal art piece about me," Jane wrote in her Day 83 posting, saying she began the blog "for me and (what I ignorantly thought would be) a small number of people who might find it on Blogspot."

She said the site was meant to be a modern take on the story of Christine Chubbuck, whose on-air suicide at a Florida television station inspired the 1976 movie Network.

"Her story both inspired and terrified me because I can truly empathize with her rage and even her isolation. I wondered how Christine's life and subsequent suicide would play out in our time," Jane wrote.

She has declined media interviews, and posted a request she received from a "huge" TV network to meet with its executives. The network asked: "Can we make this happen very soon?" in the email Jane posted to the site.

"Wow, and people think I'm morbid," says Jane.

Real or not, the performance of a woman saying she would commit suicide is what makes it art, says Joanne Tod, a painter who teaches at the University of Toronto.

"I'm not saying it's good art," Tod adds quickly, labelling the site "narcissistic and exhibitionist."

Tod also doubts the veracity of the art claim, saying a true artist would identify herself. Without that, she says, it's possible someone just claimed the site was art as a way to justify something that very quickly got out of control.

"It gives art a bad name, if that's what she's doing."

The site attracted some 160,000 hits, half in its final 24 hours, and thousands of comments from visitors in its first week. Several egged her on, offering gruesome suggestions on how she might kill herself. Others lashed out, calling her an "attention-seeking whore." Few showed any sympathy.

"I like your idea for sharing your final 90 days. I think you're about to become a little more famous than you expected," someone identifying as Fawkes wrote. "Good luck with offing yourself."

Others told her not to wait.

"Normally I would be adamantly opposed to anyone committing suicide, but in your case I will make an exception," Wizeguyinpa wrote. "Off yourself immediately and quit counting how many people visit your site."

The blog horrified suicide experts. Dr. John Draper of the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline posted a message on the site warning that the blog could encourage others to emulate her.

"She is suggesting that suicide is a reasonable method for those questioning life's meaning, which is just absurd," Draper told the New York Daily News.

He did not think much of the site's artistic merits. "I'm not an art critic but I do wish the student's attempts at learning were more socially responsible," he said.

Throughout, there was speculation the site was a viral marketing tool for a movie or video game, something industry expert Carmi Levy said would likely backfire.

"At some point, a line is crossed," says Levy, a consultant with AR Communications. "Using suicide would likely be seen as going too far."

Tod said the same would likely apply to art.

Within days of the site being launched, other bloggers began linking to it and opening their own discussions about it.

Once something begins to take off on the Internet, Levy says, others jump on board to generate traffic to their own sites as a way to boost revenue.

"There's a self-serving aspect to a lot of the comments, the forum post and the blog posts," he says.

In her post admitting her suicide threat was not real, Jane wrote that she did not want all the attention she received, and expressed "great disappointment with my generation" over the responses.

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