As a long-time gamer and history enthusiast, I’ve always held the British Museum in high regard for its extensive collection of cultural artifacts. However, recent events have left me feeling disillusioned and disappointed. The recurring themes of theft and repatriation scandals surrounding this prestigious institution have tarnished its reputation.
The British Museum has faced repeated controversies in more recent times, with concerns over stolen artifacts being a common thread. Firstly, there are ongoing calls for restitution of items believed to have been taken unlawfully centuries ago, such as the Benin Bronzes and the Parthenon Marbles.
Similarly intriguing is the story of Peter Higgs, a former curator of Greco-Roman art at the museum, who was discovered to have stolen approximately 1,800 items from the collection. He then sold these artifacts clandestinely on black markets and online platforms like eBay.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: I’ve got to admit, I was blown away when I heard about Brazilian artist Ilê Sartuzi’s latest stunt. According to reports in The Art Newspaper, he made off with a historic 1665 coin and, in true Ocean’s Eleven style, dropped it into the museum donation box. And get this – he recorded the whole thing in a seven-minute video called “Sleight of Hand.” Can you believe it? I was left speechless when I found out that this daring act took place at his Goldsmiths exhibition, which ended just recently. Talk about living on the edge!
Courtesy of the artist
Sartuzi meticulously organized the event a year prior, bringing together several allies to document it. The incident, which transpired last month on June 17, was recreated on the following day. To throw off suspicion, the artist disguised himself by shaving his beard. At the heart of his actions was a desire to highlight “the issue of universal museums.” He believed institutions like the British Museum continue to uphold “a fundamental aspect of colonial and imperialist legacy.”
As a gamer, I was taken aback when I discovered that the coin wasn’t listed in the museum’s records. To my surprise, visitors are allowed to touch it as part of an initiative started in 2000. However, I find this action disappointing and disrespectful. This service is meant to give visitors a chance to interact with genuine artifacts and delve deeper into history. As a representative of the British Museum put it, “We count on a fundamental sense of respect and trust from our visitors when they participate in these hands-on experiences. It’s unfortunate that such actions may force us to reconsider the future of these services.”
Currently, it’s undecided if the British Museum intends to file a complaint, while Sartuzi and his legal representative argue that the artist was not at fault.
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2024-07-17 00:56