British Museum Deaccessions!
Those of us who spend time with collections (not just in museums) know that several pieces will never wake from hibernation. While candidates for deaccessioning, removing objects could create a major image problem and also requires a large amount of work for staff. Safely storing and housing these objects similarly requires massive amounts of resources and represents a safety risk as illustrated by the British Museum.
The Pulse of Repatriation
On an almost weekly basis, we hear a new story about objects returning to their country or culture of origin. Fantastic, right? On the one hand, like dropping a stone down a deep, black well, we wait for the splash which seems to never arrive. Likewise, the amount of plundering by colonial powers that occurred throughout history appears similarly profound and endless. On the other, does the steady return also show that institutions around the world take seriously the situation and actively seek to return objects?
In the Air: May 2023
In the Air: January 2023
Predictions by AI for 2023
Last year, I predicted various events and outcomes based on my own experiences and conversations and readings. Those predictions, as they tend to do, varied wildly in their outcome.
We all understand that predictions and “best of” lists and ratings exist for conversation and debate. This year, however, I want artificial intelligence to create the debate.
Crystal Baller, Part 2
Unquestionably yes! Whether the Benin objects or the Parthenon Marbles (we do not call them “Elgin” after their plunderer anymore). Almost weekly we see more information about the repatriation of objects.