The Elgin Marbles; Return or share?
It may have slipped under the radar, but the loan of the British Museum's Elgin marbles to Russia is highly political. Falling into disrepair, the Elgin Marbles of the Greek Parthenon were bought by Thomas Bruce holding the title Lord Elgin, giving the famous sculptures their name. But who should they belong to now?
Although Greece maintains that the sculptures depicting Greek Gods, men and monsters were taken illegally, which once bought by Bruce they were legally bought by the British Museum. The Greek temple that they were housed in and collectively built between 447 - 434 BC had fallen into disrepair and ruins when Bruce visited Greece in the 1800s, which brought about his decision to buy nearly half of the marbles to bring them to the UK to not only share this cultural hotspot but to ensure that a portion of the marbles survived for future generations. This isn't an idea particular to the marbles but to antiquities the world over creating museum collections far from their original homes.
Say it with Flowers by Otto Schade
Coming from a gallery environment, artists create their work to be seen, to be shared, and to convey a message. The wider the audience the better for artists. Although created for worship, the marbles have come now to represent the virtues of Ancient Greece; they are educational. So is much of contemporary art. Street artists Otto Schade with his Say it with Flowers warns of radioactive chemicals growing into our landscape, and D.S's ornate Faberge Egg Grenade says more than war with it's multiple spray paint layers to create glistening gold. Art and artifacts serve to send a message that needs to be shared.
However, the Greek government have ramped up their efforts to have the Marbles returned by hiring Doughty Street Chambers. Perhaps angling for celebrity endorsement, the firm is home to Amal Clooney wife to Hollywood actor George Clooney. It is hoped that the half of the marbles housed at The British Museum will make their way back to Greece for the full frieze to be restored into the spaces left open in the New Acropolis Museum. This raises questions of ownership, and possible touring exhibitions. Having made it's way to Russia in November, Ilissos will stay there until January in St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum. Perhaps rather than talk of returning the marbles, Lord Elgin's initial idea of sharing and preserving should be buoyed for the Marbles to make their way around the world? First stop Russia!
This is championed by Sir John Boardman, Oxford expert on classical archaeology. Boardman argues that returning these treasures would set an “appalling precedent” as Museums around the world would see their collections emptied out as they make their way back to their origins. However, Greek government Culture minister remains resolute for the Marbles return “in the name of world heritage”, but all points considered, perhaps they no longer belong to anyone but should tour the world? We shall watch eagerly for Ilissos return from Russia.
Sources
BBC News
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Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.
Lover of all art and fluffy cats.