Hot this week: Authenticity for the court (not the artist) to decide.
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General
Appropriation In Art — Part of a Belief System
(15 August 2016; Artlyst)
“The cult of appropriation calls attention to the fact that the contemporary art world is amongst other things a belief system”
A Culture Returned
(18 August 2016; UTNE)
An excerpted from Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books by Mark Glickman.
Africa
Sisi meets with antiquities minister for briefing on progress (Egypt)
(15 August 2016; Egypt Independent)
Among other things, the president is meant to get an update on anti antiquities smuggling efforts.
Newly restored Malawi Museum in Egypt’s Minya to reopen in weeks (Egypt)
(19 August 2016; Ahram Online)
This reopening comes after a devastating looting incident in 2013.
Timbuktu attacks in focus as jihadi’s International Criminal Court trial opens (Mali)
(19 August 2016; The Japan Times)
“Experts hope the trial and sentencing of Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi for the 2012 attacks on Timbuktu will send a message that such cultural destruction will not go unpunished.”
Racism and ruins — the plundering of Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
(18 August 2016; The Guardian)
An interesting article with a short mention of destruction caused by European treasure hunters.
Americas
Por qué es fácil robar obras de arte en Córdoba (Why is it easy to steal artworks in Córdoba; Argentina)
(16 August 2016; La Voz)
Specialists list reasons why Argentina’s sacred art is being stolen.
Suspected Tomb Raider Gets Raided in Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
(20 August 2016; The Costa Rica Star)
The action came after notification of online sales of Costa Rican Antiquities
Opposing Corporate Theft of Mayan Textiles, Weavers Appeal to Guatemala’s High Court (Guatemala)
(14 August 2016; Truthout)
“Currently, the laws of Guatemala do not protect the intellectual property rights of the designs of Indigenous clothing. This has left traditional Mayan designs open to theft by transnational companies looking to exploit and appropriate Mayan identity.”
Irrespetan a Dios, se roban plata de iglesia (Disrespecting God, church silver is stolen; Panama)
(21 August 2016; La Estrella de Panamá)
The pieces were taken from the church of Santa Teresa de Jesús, in Llano Bonito, Chitré
Tacna: Desconocidos vuelven a profanar huaca San Antonio y se llevan vestigios pre incas (Tacna: Unknown people desecrate huaca San Antonio again and take pre-Inca remains; Peru)
(15 August 2016; Diario Correo)
Yet another looting incident at Huaca San Antonio, less than six weeks after the last. This time a mummy was dumped.
Ica: Denuncian remoción de antiguo cementerio prehispánico (Ica: Removal of ancient Prehispanic cemetery condemned; Peru)
(19 August 2016; Diario Correo)
The cemetery was levelled with heavy machinery to expand a football pitch.
Ben Bradlee’s Mausoleum Sets Off a Gossip-Laden Squabble (USA)
(11 August 2016; The New York Times)
The new tomb of the long-time Washington Post editor is accused of spoiling a historic Georgetown vista
Burglars strike Park City arts fest overnight (USA)
(14 August 2016; Park Record)
Six artists booths were targeted by thieves at this Utah festival.
Cathedral locking its doors between Masses in response to crime (USA)
(14 August 2016; The Wichita Eagle)
The June theft of an icon has caused the cathedral to reduce its open hours.
Mono County doctor pleads guilty to looting Native American artifacts from public lands (USA)
(15 August 2016; The Los Angeles Times)
Jonathan Bourne looted artefacts from public lands, including Death Valley National Park.
Civil War Pistol Stolen From Nebraska City Museum (USA)
(15 August 2016; News Channel Nebraska)
The pistol was taken from the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Civil War Museum
Peter Doig Testifies in Bizarre Authentication Trial, Calls Claim Against Him Unethical (USA)
(16 August 2016; ArtNet News)
“Is that you? No. Have you ever been to Thunder Bay? No. Do you have any criminal record in Canada? No. Were you ever prevented from traveling to the US because a drug conviction? No.”
Plea bargain in case of removal of Native American artifacts (USA)
(16 August 2016; The Daily Mail)
“Bourne agreed to pay $249,372 to cover the costs of curating and storing about 20,000 relics that federal agents found in his home”, but will not see any jail time.
Cardiff Giant: ‘America’s Biggest Hoax’ (USA)
(16 August 2016; Live Science)
A 10-foot-long stone figure that was touted as a petrified giant
Nazi-looted artwork is discovered in museums in Sarasota, West Palm (USA)
(17 August 2016; Florida Weekly)
A look at pieces from the collections of the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
Norton Simon Museum can keep Cranachs, California judge decides (USA)
(17 August 2016; The Art Newspaper)
The judge “faulted the Goustikker family and the firm that handled its post-war affairs for failing to meet mandated deadlines for filing an ownership claim to the pictures.”
National Gallery returns drawing to heir of Holocaust victim (USA)
(18 August 2016; WHIO)
“The National Gallery of Art has returned a 200-year-old drawing to the heirs of an Austrian woman who had to sell it during World War II and later died in the Holocaust.”
Jeff Koons Revealed as Mystery Artist at Heart of $6 Million Lawsuit Against David Zwirner (USA)
(18 August 2016; ArtNet News)
Moretti claims that Zwirner was meant to sell him second work in an edition of three, but attempted to sell him a numbered cast instead, with a claim that the work’s value was damaged.
‘He’s entering the cannon’: Richard Diebenkorn Foundation will issue catalogue raisonné this fall with Yale (USA)
(18 August 2016; Art New)
After fakes of the artist’s works featured in the Knoedler trial, there’s a move to pin down the his catalogue.
Report chronicles vandalism and reckless off-road damage to Nevada’s Gold Butte region (USA)
(19 August 2016; Yuba Net)
These sensitive archaeological contexts are being destroyed by off-road vehicle use.
Ohio man who bought Native American remains gets probation (USA)
(19 August 2016; Fox 25)
The man bought the remains of eight Native Americans, reportedly looted from a farm.
Commentary: U.S. must help safeguard tribal patrimony (USA)
(20 August 2016; Santa Fe New Mexican)
US Senator Martin Heinrich on the need to return tribal sacred art to its home.
Paint and Switch? Did Alec Baldwin Pay $190,000 for the Wrong Picture? (USA)
(13 August 2016; The New York Times)
Baldwin says that Mary Boone sold him a different Bleackner than the one he wanted, passing it off as the original after the artist had a go over it.
Alec Baldwin, the Bait-and-Switch and ‘Original Copies’ (USA)
(17 August 2016; Observer)
“So the real mystery becomes: what have we have not yet learned about the case that makes the DA say that a criminal case cannot be made? “
Crook steals, then returns painting to Chelsea hotel (USA)
(16 August 2016; Daily News)
Not The Chelsea Hotel but a hotel in Chelsea. The thief paid his bar tab, took the painting, then posted it back.
Brooklyn man charged with swiping $45K Diana Vreeland portrait (USA)
(19 August 2016; Page Six)
As it turns out, the repentant thief was a Manhattan art dealer.
Europe
Bulgarian police arrest man over illegal possession of ancient coins (Bulgaria)
(19 August 2016; The Sofia Globe)
“The operation involved officers from the directorate against trafficking in cultural property, the anti-organised crime directorate and Varna police”
Former French culture minister calls for halt to restoration of Galerie Vivienne (France)
(18 August 2016; The Art Newspaper)
“The character of the 19th-century glass-covered gallery, a National Historic Monument, would be wiped out by the renovation, Jack Lang says”
The Heist that Made the Mona Lisa Famous (France, Italy)
(19 August 2016; History)
Her famous 1911 theft by a Louvre employee.
In the frame: We chat to ‘art detective’ Arthur Brand (Netherlands)
(20 August 2016; Belfast Telegraph)
A discussion of Brand’s work and recent recoveries.
Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery under fire over Crimean loans in blockbuster show (Russia, Ukraine)
(19 August 2016; The Art Newspaper)
Ukraine calls for boycott of museum for borrowing 38 works by Ivan Aivazovsky from annexed territories
El hermano mayor de la Fe da por perdidas las 37 piezas de joyería robadas pese a la detención del ladrón (The head of La Hermandad de la Fe give up as lost 37 pieces of jewellery stolen, despite the arrest of the thief; Spain)
(20 August 2016; La Informacion)
Huelva’s La Hermandad de la Fe have given up on ever seeing the stolen sacred art again.
It takes a hoaxer and a negligent hoaxed for a Piltdown Man (UK)
(15 August 2016; The Australian)
Art and artefact hoaxers, to be successful, must give the audience what they want.
Two men arrested over attempted theft of Banksy copy (UK)
(15 August 2016; The Guardian)
Arrested for stealing a non-Banksy copy of a previously-stolen Banksy.
‘Irreplaceable’ Tudor window ‘stolen to order’ from chapel (UK)
(16 August 2016; BBC News)
Stolen to order idea comes from the fact that the piece is known and recognisable, but not any real evidence.
UK Museum Ethics Committee Rejects Allegations of Corruption in BP’s Sponsorships (UK)
(17 August 2016; Hyperallergic)
“The Association’s Ethics Committee announced today that it found no violations of its Code of Ethics from the provided evidence, which contained internal emails and memos from the British Museum, Science Museum, Tate, and National Portrait Gallery that Art Not Oil acquired through Freedom of Information Act requests.”
Stolen Southampton zebra sculpture found in river (UK)
(19 August 2016; BBC News)
“Ticket to Ride”, the zebra, was found by children taking part in a sailing course.
Surrey charity ‘devastated’ after life-sized fiberglass cow stolen in the middle of the night (UK)
(19 August 2016; Evening Standard)
The the rustled cow, named Cycling Moo Kay, was one of 60 on show throughout the county
BFG Dream Jar that was set to raise thousands for Save the Children vandalised in Glasgow (UK)
(19 August 2016; Evening Times)
“The Dream Jar, designed by artist Caio Locke, was placed outside Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art as part of a UK-wide display.”
St Peter Mancroft memorial desecrated after “disgraceful” theft (UK)
(13 August 2016; Eastern Daily Press)
A commenter suggested this was an anti Christian act, however as the cross was bronze it seems more like metal theft for scrap.
Gold and silver religious items stolen from Newton-le-Willows church (UK)
(18 August 2016; Liverpool Echo)
“The burglars smashed a ground floor window to get in before taking a number of items, including seven silver chalices, a gold chalice and a gold-coloured dome-shaped tabernacle.”
Brass ornaments stolen from Chelmondiston Church (UK)
(19 August 2016; East Anglian Daily Times)
“Two brass tips from the churchwardens’ staves located in holders at the back of pews at St Andrews Church were stolen”
Burglars steal brass from altar of Shipley church (UK)
(19 August 2016; Telegraph & Argus)
The pieces were taken from Northcliffe Shipley Methodist and United Reformed Church.
Police appeal for information following silver theft from Gloucestershire church (UK)
(19 August 2016; Antiques Trade Gazette)
The items taken from a church in Blockley, near Moreton-in-Marsh, include a George II silver communion set from 1732.
Drones help safeguard Yorkshire churches (UK)
(19 August 2016; Independent Catholic News)
The drones will be used to survey churches for signs of metal theft and neglect.
Oceania
Decendant of Joseph Banks’ servant supports repatriation of Gweagal artefacts (Australia, UK)
(15 August 2016; Bega District News)
“My personal opinion about the British museums is that they should aim to repatriate, in a timely manner, all stolen or misappropriated exhibits on application from descendants, organisations or governments once their provenance has been proven”
It’s time rock art was better protected (Australia)
(17 August 2016; Apollo)
“Why would someone do this — desecrate ancient and important cultural heritage?” Good questionl.
Stolen $65,000 sculpture returned after alleged ransom attempt (Australia)
(19 August 2016; The West Australian)
“The 28-year-old South Fremantle man was arrested and charged with taking reward for recovery of property obtained by means of indictable offences.”
Polynesian sculpture admired by Picasso and Henry Moore far older than previously thought (French Polynesia, UK)
(15 August 2016; The Art Newspaper)
The sculpture, which was taken from Rurutu in 1821, may be the oldest yet found in Polynesia.
South and East Asia
Tomb raiders jailed in Liaoning Province (China)
(17 August 2016; Shanghai Daily)
A gang of 38 were jailed after being convicted of 36 antiquities looting cases. A metal detector was used.
Temple managements told to tighten security (India)
(15 August 2016; The Hindu)
In 2014, as many as 27 temple thefts were reported in Karnataka, 25 the next year, and 9 in 2006 so far. Those are just the reported ones.
6 panchaloha idols stolen from Tiruvotriyur temple (India)
(21 August 2016; The Hindu)
“According to police, the temple idols have been kept inside an enclosure. When the priests opened the temple on Saturday morning, they found the iron-grille broken and idols missing.”
Burglars strike in temple; loot gold, silver and cash (India)
(21 August 2016; The Hindu)
Among the items taken from this Tamil Nadu temple was the gold crown of the deity.
Money laundering and the art world (Malaysia)
(14 August 2016; Asto Awani)
Words from the president of Transparency International-Malaysia
Minority Hindu Malaysian Community Concerned Over 7 Temple Attacks by Extremists in 3 Months (Malaysia)
(17 August 2016; The Chakra)
A rundown of the vandalism at various Malaysian Hindu temples.
Trial Resumes for Man Accused of Defrauding Art Collecting Widow of $817,000 (Singapore, China)
(15 August 2016; ArtNet News)
An elderly Singaporean woman allegedly gave a former tour guide $500,000 SGD for a painting by Xu Beihong. It, of course, was a fake.
West and Central Asia
GAO: Art world wants US to better protect artifacts in Iraq, Syria (Iraq, Syria, USA)
(15 August 2016; The Hill)
“Art market experts suggested that an overarching strategy on cultural property protection would communicate and emphasize U.S. priorities on the issue of cultural property protection and that it should include diplomatic and law enforcement elements”
US places import restrictions to protect Syrian artifacts (Syria, USA)
(17 August 2016; The Daily Mail)
“The United States announced emergency import restrictions Wednesday on Syrian artifacts in response to looting of the country’s cultural heritage in the midst of a brutal civil war.”
Smithsonian, other agencies protect artifacts in Iraq, Syria (Syria, Iraq, USA)
(19 August 2016; The Washington Post)
The various US-based organisations involved in all this.
In Other News
Search for Mythical Nazi Gold Train Resumes (Poland)
(16 August 2016; Live Science)
This article cites several actual experts who say, naturally, that there is no gold train.
Our Prayers Are Answered as Beast Jesus Stars in a Comic Opera (Spain)
(15 August 2016; Hyperallergic)
Everyones favourite botched restoration is now a comic opera called Behold the Man
Antlers Hunter S Thompson stole from Hemingway’s home returned to family (USA)
(15 August 2016; The Guardian)
Thompson took the giant set in 1964 after the author’s death because he “got caught up in the moment”.
Artist Natalie White Arrested for Vandalism After Equal Rights Protest (USA)
(17 August 2016; ArtNet News)
White wrote “ERA NOW” on the pavement in front of the US Capitol.