Lance Around Orlando

Bob & Stephanie Gave One Of The Most Spirited Q&As Ever At A FFF

The lights come up and a stunned silence descends upon the theatre. We just saw Project Nim, the powerful documentary about a 1970s Columbia University study that attempted to raise a chimpanzee as a human.

“That was so drepressing…it was a great movie, inspiring!” laments Number One Daughter, giving a voice to the experience we all just had.

Opening Night FFF Was Packed

As the patrons begin to file out of the theatre, I ask them about the film.

“Excellent Film,” exclaims Gustavo, “I highly recommend it.” He pauses to watch me type.  “Don’t forget to say I highly recommend it,” he corrects me as I type.

“It was great, disturbing and important,” remarks Sylvia.

“Thought provoking and well filmed,” says Terri. “How do you spell that?” I ask. “With an i, not a y,” she replies. Her escort also chimes in, “And that’s with two Rs.”

During the Q & A that SunnyStefani talks about in her blog post, one of the central characters in the movie is speaking about his rebellious period when he went off to study Chimpanzees. “My parents thought I was crazy,” he quipped.

Then, in a moment that can only happen at the Florida Film Festival, a little old lady sitting in the front row shouts, “I never thought you were crazy, I just got tired of listening to the same story over and over again!”

It turns out that Bob’s mother was in the audience.  I catch up with her after the Q&A to ask her about her son.

“I’m very proud of my son, he accomplished a goal he set out to do.  At that time, we thought he was just playing a game. He was playing with chimps,” says Bob’s mom. Dad chimes in, “the corner turned when I saw that film clip of him playing with chimps.”  “How old was he then?” I ask.  “20, 21 or 22” says mom, “at that point he was playing his passion.  He was playing his passion,” she repeats.  She goes on to talk about how much he would speak about the chimps, like a grandmother talking about her grandkids.  He wouldn’t shut up. That’s what prompted her outburst.

Both parents talk about being military parents.  They are conservative and hated long hair–which, of course, Bob insisted on wearing. “It was all very much POWER and CONTROL in those days,” says Bob’s father emphatically, but I’m very proud of him today,” he acknowledges with tears in his eyes.

Mom talks about the Sundance Film Festival.  At the end of the Q&A there was one last question when a woman in the back stood up and said, “I don’t have a question, I have a statement. Thank God for Bob.” Bob’s mom begins to sob as she finishes telling this story.

Great Tunes At Opening Party

Moments later, Bob accepted our invitation to drive him over to the Enzian for the Opening Night Party.  He spoke about living in Japan when he was in the 4th to 6th grade.  “Was it like a Miyazaki story?” I inquire. “It really was,” he says, “you’re young so you don’t realize any danger. You walk around the streets just like the kids in the movie.”

He talked about his path through a psychology BA then a primatology Masters. He worked in Oklahoma, loved Hendrix, was a die hard Grateful Dead deadhead and now lives in San Francisco. “I’ve traveled the world,” he says as he speaks of the eight or nine different countries he moved to as a military brat.

He’s an engaging, very personable guy who speaks energetically and passionately–Not unlike the chimpanzees he loves so much.

Henry Maldonado, President Of The FFF

We arrive at the Eznian and would love to talk about the great opening party. But we can’t. A slight glitch in the film festival’s internet connection meant we couldn’t access the website to post our blog for the many fans who patiently await our reviews.  The always accommodating FFF staff solved the problem by ushering us into the theatre office. They allowed us to write and post our blogs using their computers. We may have missed the party, but we didn’t miss the incomparable hospitality that is always the hallmark of this great festival.

The LanceAround family drive SunnyStefani back home and we take an hour or so to record these last comments before heading off to bed in the wee hours of the morning.  It was a great start to what looks to be a fantastic festival. We’ll tell you about it with multiple posts tomorrow.

Till then, sleep well and dream of great film…

Does This Man Knowingly Sell Fraudulent Artwork?

I was so excited to take Mrs. LanceAround to see the artwork of John Lennon for Valentine’s day. She really admires John Lennon. I knew it would also make a great post for my readers. Before going, I did some research on the show.

That’s when I encountered this blog post by Gary Arseneau, who claims the entire John Lennon art show is a fraud!

In his blog, Gary has created an extensive, well documented text where he makes this claim. John Lennon was a pen and ink artist, yet the artwork in this show has color added. In some cases, the entire composition of a piece has been altered from the original drawings done by John. Signatures and chop marks are also postmortem additions, as is the creation of limited edition numbered prints.

According to Gary, these alterations, done after John’s death, mean that the artwork is a fraud.

I was devastated. Mrs. LanceAround is so ethical, it would crush her to learn that a display of Lennon’s work was a forgery. I decided to gather more information before telling Mrs. LanceAround what I discovered.

Brochure & Stickers at the Lennon Art Show

As we pulled up to the art show, I instantly recognized Rudy Siegel from the photos of him on Gary’s blog. I sat by the entrance and watched him greet everyone as they entered the show. He took a donation and gave them an “Instant Karma” sticker. At one point, I asked him pointedly if the artwork was all original John Lennon. He told me right away that John was a pen and ink artist and it was Yoko Ono who added the color to the pieces. He also spoke about the process of turning them into lithographs and adding signatures and chop marks.

I walked through the exhibit and observed the other employees from Legacy Fine Arts & Productions–the company Yoko hired to produce the show. They would hover around the crowded room and engage anyone who appeared interested in the art. It was obvious that they were trying to make a sale. I felt as though I were in a used car lot. Were the smiles phony or was I being unduly influenced by Gary’s blog?

I asked Rudy if I could interview him privately. He was busy at the front door, so I had to find one of his coworkers who could take his place while I spoke with him. I asked him directly about Gary’s accusation. When I mentioned Gary’s name, I noticed that the smile did not fade from his face, but I could sense some tension as he responded.

He said that Gary was someone who obviously had a grudge. When I asked if he felt that the artwork was fraudulent he responded by pointing out that he wouldn’t be doing an art show every week of the year if he thought the artwork was a fraud. I couldn’t help but notice that he did not directly state that the artwork was not fraudulent.

On the way home, I showed Mrs. LanceAround Gary’s article and told her about my interview with Rudy. As I suspected, it introduced some negative vibes into what was a very positive day.

So, is this artwork fraudulent?

I really don’t know. But I will share with you some of my opinions based on my research and observations…

–It is clear that the vast majority of artwork displayed in the show had many alterations from the original pen and ink drawings by John Lennon.

–These alterations were done at the behest of Yoko, who holds the legal copyright for John’s work.

–Could they have been more up front about how these pieces of art were created and altered–absolutely!

–The art show was a very smooth presentation where attendees were invited to enjoy “instant karma” and make a donation to charity. However, for me personally, all of this felt like a slick advertising ploy to use the legacy of John Lennon to make a sale.

–Does Yoko have the right to change John’s artwork, produce slick shows and use this venue as a way of making money? That’s debatable, but as John’s heir, I believe she does.

–Did John choose Yoko to be his wife and, upon his death, inherit the proceeds of his legacy and the right to do with this legacy as she sees fit? I don’t believe there is any doubt about this.

–Are there some people who wish John Lennon had chosen a spouse who would have made different choices regarding his artistic legacy?

Perhaps that’s the real question. I’m wondering if that is where Gary is coming from in his post.  I know it is a question that has been a topic of conversation for a lot of people over a very a long period of time.

The only thing I will say in conclusion is, based on my research and reading the comments from people who have purchased “art” at this show, I wouldn’t buy a piece from Legacy Fine Art and Productions anytime soon. The main reason for this is the testimonies on Gary’s blog indicate this artwork actually loses significant value after it is purchased–which says to me that there are too many people in the art world who do not believe it is worth what the production company is asking for it.

On the other hand, I did find going to the show to a very positive family experience. It was inspiring to listen to John’s music and see the artwork that was, at the very least and undeniably, inspired by John.

Prices Range From $200 to $20,000--But is it Art?

20 Years Later John Lennon's Popularity Has Not Diminished

The day before Valentine’s Day I surprised Mrs. LanceAround by taking her to see an exhibit of artwork by John Lennon.

The 3 day exhibit was held in an empty storefront on Park Avenue in Winter Park, just north of Orlando. Winter Park is an upscale community. Park Avenue is loaded with art galleries, quaint restaurants and high end boutiques. It’s the perfect place to display John Lennon’s artwork.

There was a healthy crowd inside the gallery. A $2 suggested donation was collected at the door with the all the proceeds going to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission for help with the homeless. The door guardian gave each donor an “Instant Karma” sticker.

Mrs. LanceAround & #1 Daughter Loved the Art

Inside the gallery John Lennon’s music wafted through the air while guests walked around to peruse the artwork.  All of John’s art was done in pen and ink. There were even lithographs of hand written lyrics of some of John’s most popular songs. After his death, Yoko elected to create lithograph reproductions, add color and make some artistic changes to the design elements. Mrs. LanceAround became immersed in Lennon’s art and music and felt transported back in time to the peace, love and rock & roll era.

All the artwork is limited edition lithographs, serigraphs or copper etchings hand reproduced from the original drawings. They can be purchased for between $200 and $20,000. Legacy Fine Arts and Productions is the company hired by Yoko Ono to produce this art show. They travel around the country, producing 25 shows per year. At least six employees from Legacy were hovering through the crowd, eager to engage viewers and talk about the art.

Mrs. LanceAround was in tears. Having grown up during the turbulent 60s, John Lennon holds a special place in her heart. Just as she was turning 30, he was murdered. His message of love & peace, his music and his art have always been a source of inspiration for her.

She has passed along her love of Lennon and the Beatles to her children. Today, Number One Daughter and Number One Son enjoyed this Valentine’s present with her. They spent about an hour walking the exhibit and celebrating the life and legacy of John Lennon.

Just Imagine…