In the introduction to Loot, Sharon Waxman tells her readers that rather than focus on every instance of looting she has instead opted to focus on four source countries: Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Waxman selected these four source countries because they are those that have, as she argues, most “aggressively pursued demands for restitution of antiquities” (Waxman, 9). She parallels her discussion of source countries with a similar examination of “the major museums of the West whose antiquities collections have been called into question and which have faced the most high-profile restitution requests: the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, and the J. Paul Getty Museum.” (Waxman, 9)
Tomorrow we will focus on Egypt, Turkey, and Greece as well as the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the British Museum. The heart of discussion will focus on Waxman’s text as well e-reserve readings from Phillipe de Montebello and Neil MacGregor. Key questions will focus on the source country, the museum, the object, and the individuals involved all within the larger context of the antiquities debate. Feel free to incorporate into your discussions the readings from Warren and Cuno.
In her introduction Waxman asks, “How did we get to this crossroads, and how do we proceed from here?” What do you think of Waxman’s narrative structure, focusing on four case studies to understand the larger questions? What are those questions? In the video I posted on the blog and in her text, Waxman argues that opposing cultures much like weapons or political ideology to hurl insults at each other. Do you agree? Why or why not? What impact does that have on the debate itself and the need to find a solution? What are the possible solutions, based on your particular case study (i.e. Egypt, Turkey, or Greece)? “Shall we empty the great museums of the world because one source country after another seeks the return of treasures past?” as Waxman asks at the end of her book. What is necessary to create change? What lessons can we take from our discussion of these source countries and museums of the West into our discussion on Thursday when we will turn our focus to Italy’s arrest and trial of former Getty curator Marion True? Is consensus possible? Or should we be asking different questions?
For class tomorrow then I will divide the class into thirds (no more than 9 students per group). Those groups may be further divided, depending on student choice. You have an opportunity to pre-select your group by clicking the following link to a sign-up sheet in GoogleDocs:
Clicking the link should be sufficient (i.e. no login required). Remember no more than nine students per group. If you have trouble with the link or the document, please e-mail. Sign-ups are “first-come, first-served.”
(ETA – The instructions I had from Google apparently only apply to those who want to look at the document rather than update it by signing up for a topic. Details, details. So to signup you will need to login. Please let me know if you have any trouble with this process.)
We will have about 30 to 40 minutes for small group discussion. The rest of the class period we will talk about your findings and set up the discussion for Thursday.