The Hammond Regional Art Center introduces Mark Landis with a film showing of “Art and Craft” that documents the story of his life’s work as a forger. The audience that attended expected to learn about Landis and his eventful journey of copying famous works where he then donated them to museums.
Makayla Abney/The Lion's Roar

During the Let’s Talk Art series, members of the Hammond Regional Arts Center joined the university for a showing of a documentary called “Arts and Craft” which told the story of the famous Mark Landis. The exhibition on display COPYCAT, was inspired by this film.

This event occurred on Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. Less than 10 people were in attendance, but the host Katherine Marquette, the Executive Director of HRAC, believed it was worth it because his story is so impactful. 

Even though this event is unusual for HRAC during this series, it is still beneficial for the art center to show this film.

“It is a rare occurrence that we show full-length feature films as part of the Let’s Talk Art series,” said Marquette. “So, this is somewhat of a departure from typical modus operandi. However, there will be no shortage with regard to quality or content.”

During this special showing of the film “Art and Craft” the audience was introduced to the artist, Landis, and quickly realized that he is angering the art community with his actions.

“It was my first introduction to the infamous forger Mark Landis and raised for me many thought provoking questions,” said Marquette. “Questions such as: Is a forger an artist? At what point does a work of art created primarily by the hand of an apprentice become attributed to that of a master? And, at what point is the essence of something protected under copyright determined to have been transformed enough to be called fair-use.”

The exhibition COPYCAT is on display at HRAC until the end of the month. The decision to show this film was inspired by the forgeries of Landis and also the exhibition.

“The film ‘Art and Craft’ was instrumental in the conceptualization of the COPYCAT exhibition on display at HRAC through Wednesday, November 23rd,” said Marquette.

There are two pieces of Landis’ artwork hanging in the gallery next to the other pieces for the COPYCAT display. Because of the inspiration behind the exhibition, HRAC reached out to LSU, hoping to get a loan for the art center.

“In this exhibition, we are lucky enough to have been granted a temporary loan from the LSU Museum of Art which owns several Mark Landis forgeries,” said Marquette. “This loan is extraordinarily important to us, and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of LSUMOA. Loans such as this raises the profile of our organization and legitimizes the work that HRAC does in the region as a small, non-profit, community arts center. It is a touchstone for audience engagement and educational discussions which is exactly what we hope is achieved by showing this film, the COPYCAT exhibition as a whole and everything we do at HRAC.”

The film showing and the Let’s Talk Art series hopes to inspire artists and educate attendees.

“We exist to expand horizons, to open new paths of thinking and to spark curiosity as well as a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, arts and culture,” said Marquette.