Category Archives: Washington Pavilion

I received this email today that I found interesting concerning Rockwell ‘prints’;

December 20, 2010

Attention Sioux Falls residents:

Norman Rockwell -never- created a lithograph.

That fact was confirmed by the Norman Rockwell Museum in the Buffalo News’ published  June 30, 2003 “ORIGIN OF ROCKWELL LITHOGRAPHS CAUSING CONTROVERSY” article that this scholar was the source for.

Late in his life, Norman Rockwell want to cash-in on his celebrity status, which was his right.

So, in late 1960’s, Norman Rockwell hired Circle Fine Art chromists (someone who copies another artist work) to reproduce his paintings. The problem was those thousands upon thousands of chromist-made reproductions were subsequently misrepresented by Norman Rockwell and his representatives, for sale (at $200 or more 1960’s dollars) as original works of visual art ie., lithographs.

As an artist who creates original lithographs, I speak from experience on what constitutes a lithograph but for those who require little more substantial documentation, as a scholar, I cite U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006. In part, it states that a -lithograph- “must be wholly executed by hand by the artist and excluding any mechanical and photomechanical processes.”

Upon Norman Rockwell’s death, this “knowing concealment of the truth or misrepresentation of a material fact to induce someone to his or her detriment” which is one legal definition of -fraud- was continued by Eleanor Ettinger, their chromists and others with thousands upon thousands of posthumously forged editions misrepresented for sale as Norman Rockwell lithographs.

The dead don’t lithograph.

Therefore, all so-called -Norman Rockwell lithographs-, albeit non-disclosed chromist-made and/or photomechanical reproductions, became “something that is not what it purports to be” which is one legal definition of -fake-.

Finally as for the prior -Rodin, A Magnificent Obsession- exhibition held a couple years ago at the Sioux Falls Pavilion, 54 of the 63 so-called sculptures were non-disclosed 2nd-generation-removed forgeries with counterfeit “A Rodin” signatures posthumously inscribed between 1919 and 1996, some 2 to 79 years after Auguste Rodin’s death in 1917.

The dead don’t sculpt, much less sign.

In closing, without full and honest disclosure to these contentious issues of authenticity, the museum patrons will find it difficult if not impossible to give informed consent on whether to attend an exhibition of non-disclosed reproductions and/or forgeries at the Sioux Falls Pavilion, much less pay the price of admission.

Unfortunately, with the Sioux Falls Pavilion that seems to be the plan.

Caveat Emptor!

Gary Arseneau

artist, creator of original lithographs & scholar

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Not sure if Ms. Oland was being sarcastic by stating this about the Rockwell exhibit, but I got a kick out of it;

“To have work by an artist of this stature displayed at the Washington Pavilion is wonderful for our community,” Oland said. “It will be a great opportunity to expose a new audience to artwork that many will find relatable and unintimidating.“

Relatable to what? An America that doesn’t exist? Sure, the photos in the exhibit are real and very relatable, but Rockwell was a illustrator/cartoonist. Norman’s work is like asking Caravaggio to illustrate an episode of Scooby Doo. While very good and entertaining, not what you would call ‘high art.’ And don’t get me wrong, I am a gigantic fan of low-brow and outsider art, I just chuckle a bit when people refer to artists like Rockwell as some freaking European Master. Not even close.

Calling the show ‘unintimidating’ is right on the mark, and sadly funny at the same time. Art should challenge us, not bottle feed us. Maybe that’s why they had to charge for the show, to create some kind of buzz where it doesn’t exist. “Gee, if I have to pay to get into the exhibit, it must be good!”

Shows at the Visual Arts Center’s six galleries usually are free, and this exhibit’s admission fee doesn’t sit well with some art patrons.

“It is unfortunate that the Washington Pavilion is charging for the Rockwell exhibit, considering there has been more significant shows in the past that they did not charge for, like Rodin,” said Scott Ehrisman, a Sioux Falls artist, referring to the May 2009 exhibit for French sculptor Auguste Rodin, who sculpted “The Thinker.”

A condition of the sponsoring foundation was that the Rodin exhibit be free, said David Merhib, director of the Visual Arts Center.

Why do you think that is David? I’ll let you figure out the answer to that question on your own.

“I also have concerns that this may become a trend at the Visual Arts Center,” Ehrisman said. “I have always felt the best part of the Pavilion is its free art museum. That is why I have donated to Arts Night in the past. It is truly an asset to our community.”

And I stand by that statement. That was part of the agreement with the community when the Pavilion was built, the VAC would remain free to the public, and now, we can’t even depend on that?

“But without a rental fee, the Rockwell exhibit would not be here,” Merhib said. “We just wanted to recoup some of the cost, but also wanted to keep the price low enough so that people in the community and surrounding region can come in and see the exhibition.”

What a load of crap. The Pavilion and VAC receive city subsidies, grants and private donations for a reason, so the community can enjoy at least a few things for FREE at the Pavilion. Are times tough? Sure. But just admit it, the rental fee is way to high for the caliber of this show, and you were suckered. Well guess what? Suck it up. I don’t know about you, but if the Pavilion is going to start charging for mediocre exhibits it’s time to cut the purse strings. Then let them charge whatever they want.

I have often said that the Pavilion’s greatest asset is its Visual Arts Center, because it is free. And while I have disagreed with the Pavilion’s management and board of directors for several years, I still felt it was important to give to the VAC through Arts Night because the center was free to the public, that is why it baffles me that the Pavilion is charging for this exhibit;