In politics, in British
Columbia, a controversy
over the sale of Nuu-Chah-nulth sacred masks has inspired a change in law on
the right to sell privately owned cultural property. An article
in Newsweek extolled the new
Bibliotheca Alexandria in Egypt. In Turkey, restoration of historic Murad I
baths was halted
over murals that did not match the originals.
In a crossover
of politics, economics, and security, international sanctions in response to Iran’s
nuclear program have created economic hardship, which has made lower-priced art
more attractive and thereby has created opportunities
for local emerging artists.
In a crossover of
politics and security, in Sri Lanka, renaming of ancient
Buddhist sites causes a controversy. In Serbia, demolition
of a monument to Albanian guerrillas in Presevo received relatively little
international resistance. An Armenian perspective on
Turkey’s assertive repatriation of antiquities perceives contradictions with
Turkey’s domestic cultural policy that puts Armenian cultural heritage at risk.
In Tunisia, a group of hooded people firebombed
a mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Ourfelli.
In economics, in Asia,
a proliferation
art fairs from Hong Kong to Singapore
has expanded the art market., and Art Stage Singapore creates a focus for local
emerging
artists. From Latin America to the Middle East, China, and Russia, reportedly a
‘Premier League’ of collectors,
using venture-capital-like strategies, is pricing art out of range for middle-market
collectors. Central Asian galleries have established a foothold
in Dubai. In Vancouver, the sale of Renaissance sculptures revealed a
significantly lower
appraisal that brought tax credits for the original donation into question. On-line
auctions are expected to expand the art market in 2013.
In a crossover of
economics and security, in India, attrition
will cause a shortage of archaeological experts by 2015 in the State of Tamil
Nadu, and a reported lack awareness
of cultural heritage throughout the nation puts art and architecture at risk.
In security, Giorgos
Tsoukalis presented his latest book
on antiquities smuggling. In Syria, reportedly attacks on religious sites occur
even after
the opposition has gained control in northern areas. An interview with Corine
Wegener reveals efforts to train soldiers in awareness
of cultural heritage. Syrian rebels received training
on Geneva Conventions in Switzerland. Two art traffickers were sentenced
after pleading guilty to the attempted sale of a stolen Matisse.
For similar news, visit Cultural Security News.
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