Showing posts with label Nationalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nationalism. Show all posts
Turkish Nationalism on Display
Nationalism is not all bad, but Turkish nationalism seems to have taken an extreme turn in the prosecution of an American who picked up some old stones on a beach and in protests regarding the sale of modern art. How many Turks pick up such items without fear of prosecution? And would the sale of modern art be as controversial if the sale could not be linked to American interests? Those who support Turkey's nationalistic demands for control of ancient art (much of which was created by Greeks) should take note of this slippery slope.
Rewriting the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act
It's no surprise that Dr. Nathan Elkins-- one of the AIA's chief proponents of import restrictions on common historical coins of the sort collected worldwide-- claims that any coin type that circulated "predominantly" in a given country should be placed on the "designated list" for restrictions when it's easy for him to generalize that coins circulate "predominantly" where they are made.
But the governing statute, the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, calls for much more. Assuming other statutory criteria are also met, it only authorizes seizure and forfeiture of artifacts "first discovered within and...subject to export control by" a given country. 19 U.S.C. Section 2601(2)(c).
The ACCG has indicated that the Government could comply with the plain meaning of the CPIA in either one or two ways: (1) establishing by undisputed scholarly evidence that the coins placed on the designated lists could only have been discovered in a given country for which import restrictions are granted and, hence, must be subject to their export controls; or (2) demonstrating by documentary evidence that any coins Customs seizes were in fact discovered in that country and, hence must be subject to that country's export controls.
The ACCG and others have offered scholarly evidence to suggest that ancient coins as a general rule circulated far from where they were minted. The fact that some (local bronze coins) typically circulated closer to home than others (precious metal coins and Imperial bronze issues) does not excuse the State Department's and U.S. Customs' efforts to ban coin imports based on place of production rather than s find spot.
The overbroad import bans Elkins and the AIA support threaten to cut off collector access to the vast majority of ancient coins openly available on the international market. In contrast, restrictions squarely linked to find spots are more narrowly tailored to deterring pillage of archaeological sites. That, of course, is the primary goal of the CPIA; not the furthering of nationalistic impulses that lay claim to any unprovenanced coin as the presumptive state property of the AIA's allies in foreign cultural bureaucracies.
But the governing statute, the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, calls for much more. Assuming other statutory criteria are also met, it only authorizes seizure and forfeiture of artifacts "first discovered within and...subject to export control by" a given country. 19 U.S.C. Section 2601(2)(c).
The ACCG has indicated that the Government could comply with the plain meaning of the CPIA in either one or two ways: (1) establishing by undisputed scholarly evidence that the coins placed on the designated lists could only have been discovered in a given country for which import restrictions are granted and, hence, must be subject to their export controls; or (2) demonstrating by documentary evidence that any coins Customs seizes were in fact discovered in that country and, hence must be subject to that country's export controls.
The ACCG and others have offered scholarly evidence to suggest that ancient coins as a general rule circulated far from where they were minted. The fact that some (local bronze coins) typically circulated closer to home than others (precious metal coins and Imperial bronze issues) does not excuse the State Department's and U.S. Customs' efforts to ban coin imports based on place of production rather than s find spot.
The overbroad import bans Elkins and the AIA support threaten to cut off collector access to the vast majority of ancient coins openly available on the international market. In contrast, restrictions squarely linked to find spots are more narrowly tailored to deterring pillage of archaeological sites. That, of course, is the primary goal of the CPIA; not the furthering of nationalistic impulses that lay claim to any unprovenanced coin as the presumptive state property of the AIA's allies in foreign cultural bureaucracies.
Egyptian Mob Torches Historic Structure Slated for Archaeology
In Mubarak's Egypt, archaeology served the state. Perhaps then, it should not be surprising that a mob has destroyed a historic mansion slated to become a center for archaeology. This follows last year's burning of a historic library. For archaeology to survive and prosper, it must stay relevant to the people and not just serve as a nationalistic tool for the state. Hopefully, Egypt's new government will disassociate archaeology from state power and instead encourage appreciation for the past as an end in itself.
A Turkish Scholar's Critique of Turkey's Hardball Tactics
A renowned Turkish historian, Dr Edhem Eldem, has critiqued Turkey's recent nationalistic hardball tactics here. Will any American archaeologists be brave enough to speak up? And what of the archaeological blogosphere?
Hirshhorn Presents �Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads�
The Smithsonian�s Hirshorn Museum is displaying Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei�s ironic take on the infamous �Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,� said to have been looted by British imperialists from the Summer Palace. I suppose AiWeiwei�s oversized heads say something about the oversized nationalistic rhetoric Chinese officials and their allies in the Western archaeological community have employed to demand the return of the originals. The exhibit will remain on view until February 24, 2013.
James Cuno to Getty
The LA Times reports that James Cuno has been named as the President and CEO of the Getty Trust. See
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-getty-cuno-20110510,0,973976.story
Cuno, a seasoned museum professional, has criticised the cultural nationalism of source countries and their allies in the archaeological community in a series of lectures, articles and books. In return, archaeologists have criticised Cuno, alleging his views are neo-imperialist in nature.
When queried about the issue by the LA Times, Cuno was philosophical:
In terms of my criticism of cultural property laws, I think reasonable people can disagree on these matters, and I very much look forward to engaging in conversations with colleagues around the world. I think we are all seeking the same thing: to preserve the objects of antiquity and broaden public and scholarly access to them.
Though no change is expected in the Getty's stringent acquisition policies, Cuno's appointment may suggest a new determination to get tough with Italy, whose demands for repatriation have seemingly escalated despite the Getty's efforts to seek accomodation.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-getty-cuno-20110510,0,973976.story
Cuno, a seasoned museum professional, has criticised the cultural nationalism of source countries and their allies in the archaeological community in a series of lectures, articles and books. In return, archaeologists have criticised Cuno, alleging his views are neo-imperialist in nature.
When queried about the issue by the LA Times, Cuno was philosophical:
In terms of my criticism of cultural property laws, I think reasonable people can disagree on these matters, and I very much look forward to engaging in conversations with colleagues around the world. I think we are all seeking the same thing: to preserve the objects of antiquity and broaden public and scholarly access to them.
Though no change is expected in the Getty's stringent acquisition policies, Cuno's appointment may suggest a new determination to get tough with Italy, whose demands for repatriation have seemingly escalated despite the Getty's efforts to seek accomodation.
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