Cultural Security News (Jun. 02 - Jun. 08)

Cultural property in Australia, indigenous and illicitly imported

In politics, in Germany, the return of human remains to nations of origin has the potential to increase calls for repatriation of art, antiquities, and other cultural property. In Egypt, the director-general of the Repatriation of Antiquities Department resigned over lack of cooperation by other departments.

In a crossover of politics and economics, in Australia, an initiative seeks to gain the same level of distinction for indigenous art as for non-indigenous art in historical and contemporary exhibitions.

In a crossover of politics and security, in the Holy Land, cultural heritage sites that lie in regions of conflicting Israeli-Palestinian jurisdictions suffer from neglect. China seeks to preserve the language internationally by determining when and how translation might occur. In Turkey, police clashed with protesters over the planned demolition of the park in Taksim Square.

In economics, in India, the government turns to the option corporate donors for preservation of cultural heritage sites in exchange for promotional opportunities. In the UK, Christie’s announced the upcoming sale of the estate of T. S. Eliot. In Lebanon, the Beirut Art Fair for 2013 has the potential to further strengthen the contemporary art market in the Middle East.

In a crossover of economics and security, in France, Egypt requested that an auction house halt the sale of a Quran manuscript. In the West Bank, the family that holds the remaining fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls intends to sell the artifacts, while Israel claims rightful ownership.

In security, in Sri Lanka, the Antiquities Protection Division reported the attempted smuggling of rare artifacts. In Egypt, sales of looted antiquities, reportedly, goes undeterred in public spaces. In Australia, evidence has been retrieved on the purchase of $3.8 million in antiquities from the Indian smuggler, Subhash Kapoor. In Mali, UNESCO reports that damage to Timbuktu by insurgents is greater that first assessed.

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Cultural Security News (May 26 - Jun. 01)

In Egypt, Islamic antiquities and Roman artifacts at risk

In politics, in the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts emphasized the need for scholars in conservation and rehabilitation of cultural heritage. New Mexico recognized President Obama in designating new national monuments. Japan returned a Buddhist painting to South Korea after 420 years. Germany reexamines treatment and return of human remains from museums.

In a crossover of politics and security, in the West Bank, reports emerged of fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls going up for sale. In Egypt, bulldozing of an historic gate in Islamic old Cairo and Chinese graffiti on Pharaohnic temples illustrate the threat to cultural heritage in the nation. Germany repatriated a large cache of Nazi-acquired antiquities to Greece. In India, the culture minister plans to redraft the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972.

In economics, in New York, Christie’s anticipated increased interest in Latin America contemporary art. Hong Kong remains a primary source of wealth and infrastructure for the art market despite a correction in China’s market share.

In a crossover of economics and security, in China, reportedly designation of Uyghur shrines as cultural property is intended to reduce the religious significance as part of strategy to control the oil-rich region.

In security, in Egypt, Islamic antiquities suffer looting in Cairo, and a Roman temple in Qena has suffered looting and environmental damage. In Australia, the director of the National Gallery confirmed involvement with the international smuggler, Subhash Kapoor. In Ireland, a medieval stone window-frame was stolen from national monument on Lake Garadice.

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Cultural Heritage: Victimized

We have witnessed countless instances in which cultural property has been the victim of armed conflict: the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001, the sacking of the Iraqi museums in 2003, the destruction of the Sufi shrines in Mali in 2012, and of course the looting of artifacts to fund wartime endeavors, which is currently occurring in Syria. The cases in which cultural heritage has been specifically targeted or has been a casualty of conflict are innumerable.  The political clout and economic value of patrimony make it a bull's eye.

But we cannot overlook that cultural heritage also can be a victim during peaceful times, and can be a victim of the nation it represents. This month, a construction company demolished a Maya temple in Noh Mul, an ancient city complex in Belize. The temple was more than two thousand years old, and likely took a thousand years to build from hand-cut limestone; in two days, the temple was reduced to rubble by backhoes and bulldozers.  The temple was the “nearest and handiest source of aggregate” for roads in need of paving.

The owner of the construction company contracted for the road upgrades states that the local landowner gave permission to excavate; apparently material has been taken from the temple mound for over a decade.  He describes the loss of the temple as an “unfortunate incident.”

While Belize has legislation in place to prevent harming of ancient monuments, these statutes are outdated and lack any serious penalty for violators. The deputy prime minister of Gaspar Vaga, who represents the area, has stated that he is “outraged by the wanton destruction,” and wants a full investigation and prosecution of the contractor.

We tend to focus on the destruction of cultural heritage by enemy forces, and the lack of protection provided to such patrimony; we cannot, however, forget that patrimony often is destroyed by the very people it represents.  It does not always take conflict or times of upheaval to victimize patrimony.  Looting of one’s own cultural patrimony is an on-going issue, as citizens see the artifacts in their backyards as a means of income – survival comes first.  The problems in these instances run too deep to simply be fixed by stricter laws and regulations preventing illicit digging and the sale of artifacts.  And in such cases when one chooses to intentionally demolish one’s own heritage? What rules can be put in place—and enforced—to prevent such intentional destruction if the “owner” of the “property” chooses to destroy it?

Originally posted by Sally Johnson on CulturalSecurity.net.

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Cultural Security News (May 19 - May 25)

Market competition and record returns

In politics, in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art elected to repatriate a pair of statues to Cambodia. In Israel, a delegation from UNESCO inspected the preservation work in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem. In India, an article asserted that not all Indian artifacts in foreign collections were necessarily stolen and, correspondingly, advocated for revision of the Antiquities and Treasures Act of 1972. Museums of human remains worldwide are realizing the potential recall of items to nations origin.

In a crossover of politics and security, Cambodia stepped up calls for return of cultural property. In Africa, Professor Kwesi Kwaa Prah asserted the importance of preserving native languages. In Egypt, the former minister of antiquities, Zahi Hawass, is still fighting legal trouble, which includes alleged illicit shipments of antiquities. In the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection returned hundreds of ancient coins to the Bulgarian Ambassador.

In economics, in the art market, speculation on a bubble, investment potential, and mergers of on-line enterprises continued. Artprice indicated an exponential increase in the number of players in the worldwide art market. In Hong Kong, the first Basel art fair illustrated the increasing competition in the art market in China. In France, a former gallery owner remarked on the challenges of operating locally in an increasingly global market.

In a crossover of economics and security, in the United States, a raid on museums in 2008 for illicit holdings of cultural artifacts has incurred high costs relative to the number of convictions. In Europe, a multidisciplinary team will visit the 14 most endangered European Heritage Sites. An article in Rutgers Law Review advocated replacing restitution for fine art with prosecution as with antiquities.

In security, in Syria, the Manger of Museums reportedly asserted that smuggling of looted artifacts has turned into stealing from museums through collaboration with Turkish, Lebanese, and Iraqi nations. In Sri Lanka, reports of artifact thefts are on the rise. In Ireland, indicated that archaeological sites are not safe after the recovery of a hoard of hundreds of historical items. A former Scotland Yard detective, Richard Ellis, asserted the risk of stolen art serving as collateral in transactions for arms and drugs. In New York, a dealer was indicted for selling forgeries of artists such as de Kooning, Pollock, and Rothko to the Knoedler and other galleries.

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Cultural Security News (May 12 - May 18)

Czech forgeries, Greek reparations, Syrian smuggling

In politics, in India, the Charminar may not qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Illinois, Northwestern University prepares to return a letter of Napoleon Bonaparte’s family to France. In Arizona, Northern Arizona University encourages the education of Native Americans as archaeologists.

In a crossover of politics and security, Greece seeks reparations for World War II damage and return of looted antiquities. In Yemen, the Culture Minister sees cultural education as a countermeasure to extremist thought. Scrutiny of museum holding for illicitly acquired cultural artifacts intensifies. Cambodia continues the initiative to recall antiquities from foreign museums.

In economics, collectors from China seek bargains in the art market worldwide. In China, Shanghai angles for a greater share of the auction market by welcoming Christie’s to operate independently. Financial analysts continue warnings of a bubble in the art market and predictions of crash. In New York, Christie’s auction of contemporary art set a record at $495 million.

In a crossover of economics and security, in Czech Republic, forgeries have a significant presence in the art market. Art is revealed as an ideal means for laundering money. The head of the FBI Art Crime Team commented on the ease by which illicitly transferred fine art and antiquities pass into the legitimate market.

In security, Interpol has targeted the art collection of the Qaddafi family for potential seizure. In New York, the FBI raided an art gallery in relation to an investigation of money laundering. In Lebanon, police arrested Lebanese and Syrian nationals on smuggling of Syria antiquities.

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Syria – “The Art of Civil War”

The impact of armed conflict on cultural heritage is once again highlighted by current events: the civil war in Syria. To add to the horror and destruction brought upon the Syrian population, the war is shattering Syria’s cultural heritage. A recent Foreign Policy article (“The Art of Civil War”) elaborates on how the conflict in Syria is affecting the country’s antiquities.

According to the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), the looting is more damaging than the fighting that is destroying mosques, old houses, and Crusader castles. As conflict has dragged on, looting of the country’s “archaeological treasure trove” (consisting of 35 museums and 10,000 archaeological sites) has become more commonplace. In the last decade alone prices for antiquities have increased tenfold, making the smuggling of antiquities to the prominent buyers (notably in Israel, Britain, and the United States) a lucrative venture.

The Free Syrian Army (FSA), therefore, is using antiquities as currency – exchanging stolen Syrian patrimony for guns. Smuggler Abu Khader is noted as saying, “They give me antiquities, I give them guns.” Apparently, cuneiform tablets, Roman friezes and statues, and Byzantine coins are “particularly popular.”

Only 3% of Syria’s heritage sites remain outside the conflict zone, and all UNESCO World Heritage sites in Syria have been affected by the war. Abdel-Karim, Director of the DGAM, states that Syria is endeavoring to minimize the damage to its heritage in an attempt to avoid repeating Iraq’s experience in 2003. One such effort is the closing of museums to the public and the movement of their collections to secure locations.

We are NOT doomed to repeat history.

Originally posted by Sally Johnson on CulturalSecurity.net.

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Cultural Security News (May 05 - May 11)

Kneeling Attendants return to Cambodia, a dinosaur returns to Mongolia.

In politics, in Latvia, the Mark Rothko Arts Centre opened in Daugavpils. In New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has agreed to return statues to Cambodia. In Israel, excavations continue in Jerusalem to study the historical presence of Roman culture. In New York, Colgate University has agreed to return a collection of Aboriginal art to Australia.

In a crossover of politics and security, in Texas, the now famous case of a Tyrannosaurus bataar skeleton is coming to a conclusion as the fossil is being returned to Mongolia. Greece plans to bring a case against Germany for reparations for looting during World War II.

In economics, collectors from China are “scouring” the world for deals on art. In the United States, the spreading requirement of a master’s degree in fine art for a career as an artist has implications for student debt. In New York, art storage is turning into an industry.

In a crossover of economics and security, in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, collectors worldwide seek art insurance. In Syria, reports continue on the threat of trafficking in antiquities for weapons. Auctions for impressionist, modern, and contemporary art continue to thrive.

In security, in Libya, antiquities remain at risk of continued looting by international gangs. In Egypt, a court in Cairo extended the detention of Palestinians who had been arrested for smuggling of antiquities. In London, the case of looted Egyptian antiquities at Christie’s led to detaining a smuggling suspect.

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Cultural Security News (Apr. 28 - May 04)

Art as an investment? Repatriations gain momentum.

In politics, China persists in the repatriation of Chinese relics but acknowledges that long-terms efforts will be required. In the United Kingdom, academics convened to apply pressure on the government to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention. In Greece, a conference on repatriation of cultural property will take place at the Olympia Conference Center. Egypt challenged the sale of 200 objects at Bonham’s and succeeded in recovering some. Reportedly, the head of the United States National Archives has agreed to return the entire Jewish Archive to Iraq. In the United States, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will return a pair of statues to Cambodia.

In a crossover of politics and security, in Egypt, police claim to be put on trial for using lethal force in self-defense against criminal gangs who, in some cases, smuggle antiquities. Also, youths rallied against construction that threatens an ancient burial ground in Dahshour.

In economics, China not only has the second largest art market but also influences markets abroad such as in South Africa. In Sudan, the Ministry of Tourism advocates greater spending to develop the cultural-heritage assets of the nation. Reportedly, high net-worth individuals continue to seek out the art market as an alternative investment (Or do they?), but experts still point out the risks. On the other hand, an article speculated on the potential for the art market to serve as a model for other markets. In China, affordable art continues to expand.

In a crossover of economics and security, in Afghanistan, controversy continued over development of the copper mine at Mes Aynak. The “cultural security” of China has prevailed in that filmmakers in Hollywood adapt productions for foreign release to show China in a favorable light and include scenes that feature actors from China.

In security, in the United States, a report indicates increasingly broader ramifications of criminal cases of art and cultural property. In Macedonia, police arrested seventeen suspected smugglers of antiquities. The Director-General of UNESCO once again warned of the damage of ongoing looting in Syria.

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Working on the definition for “Cultural Security”

At the end of March, the post “Working towards a definition for ‘Cultural Security’” offered groundwork on understanding the significance of the term in the 21^st century. This week’s post takes another look at how to think about the relevance and significance of the role of culture in community, national, and international security. Comments on the post “What is Cultural Security?” on the Cultural Security blog from April provide insight.

The phrase “cultural power” seems to be gaining traction in the media. At the community level, a Native American Author, as a guest of “Moyers and Company,” discussed the lack of cultural power held by Indians in the United States. The interview happened to follow recent news on contested sales of Hopi masks in France.  At the intersection of the national and international levels, adaptation of Western film production indicates the cultural power of China. Recent news reported that Hollywood films cater to the audience in China by deliberately representing the nation in a favorable light and by adding scenes that feature actors in China. Apparently, China’s cultural security policy holds sway over Western marketing strategies.

Comments on the Cultural Security blog provided insight into power-sharing at the national level. As a specific example, Dr. Eugenie Samier discussed the challenge of preserving the representation of Arab culture in academic curricula in Dubai. Foreign branches of Western universities provide knowhow for economic development but lack integration of regional language and religious principles. The omission not only puts the national cultural at risk but also compromises the ultimate applicability of the academic training.

In summary, the concept of “cultural power” may help in understanding “cultural security.” Specifically, the relative influence, or political and economic power, of distinct cultures may shed light on the role of culture in security at the community, national and international level. In the past, cultural power seemed to derive from economic power, but in the present, as suggested by thoughts from Dubai, an established culture itself plays a fundamental role in the implementation of modern techniques for economic advancement.

Will culture become an independent, if not a primary, source of power in the 21^st century?

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Cultural Security News (Apr. 21 - Apr. 27)

Peru remains active, while Syria, Albania, and First Nations struggle

In politics, Paraguay and Panama have collaborated on restitution for illicitly transferred cultural patrimony for two decades. In the UEA, academics raised concern over a lack a attention to Arabic in branches of foreign universities. In South Korea, a monk continued to petition for the return of an ancient Buddhist statute to Japan.

In a crossover of politics and security, in Italy bureaucracy creates risk for conservation of Pompeii. In Washington DC, a celebration honored 150^th anniversary of the Lieber Code. In Canada, the government invested $200,000 to aid museums in research on provenance of Holocaust-era works of art. In France, pro-bono attorneys filed a petition to halt the sale of sacred Hopi masks as source nations for pre-Columbian art continued attempts to disrupt auctions. In Syria, the UNESCO Director-General called attention to destruction of cultural heritage in Aleppo. In the Maldives, rise extremism targeted religious monument from abroad.

In economics, the debate over the role aesthetics versus investment continued. In China, collects show limited interest in Western art. In the United States, collectors noted the consistent value of Oriental rugs. In Arizona, a study suggests the value of Native American art to the economy. Skate’s Art Market Research reported on the quickly growing art market of Poland.

In a crossover of economics and security, in Peru, the Ministry of Culture filed criminal charges against a construction firm for damaging ancient geoglyphs. In Peru, trafficking in antiquities contributes to the $5-7 billion earnings of organized crime.

In security, in Albania, after two decades, looting of churches remains a problem. In Egypt, the Archaeological Unit for Confiscated Antiquities (AUCA) caught a smuggler of coins at the Cairo International Airport. In Bethlehem, the Palestinian Authority police detained a suspect in smuggling of ancient coins and pottery.

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“Family, ‘Not Willing to Forget,’ Pursues Art It Lost to Nazis”

Stories of soldiers throwing open cargo train doors to find that they have stumbled across a cache of priceless masterpieces make for riveting tales. So, too, do the recounting of families seeking restoration of their stolen artworks. Patricia Cohen and Tom Mashberg of The New York Times report on just such a story in their recent article “Family, ‘Not Willing to Forget,’ Pursues Art It Lost to Nazis.”

Paul Rosenberg, one of the world’s most prominent dealers in Modern Art after World War I, established an extensive collection of museum-quality art, including works by such names as Rodin, Cézanne, Monet, and Modigliani. For three generations, the Rosenberg family has painstakingly searched for the hundreds of artworks that were looted from their family by the Nazis. Currently, the family is negotiating the return of a Matisse that has hung in the Henie Onstad Arts Center in Norway for the past forty-five years. The family sees pursuit of their lost artwork as a crusade; they have searched through auction catalogs, collaborated with Interpol, brought museums to court, and have even bought back their own property.  Thus far, the Rosenberg family has recovered more than 340 of the roughly 400 works they lost. Marc Masurovsky, a founder of the Holocaust Art Restitution Project, points out that the Rosenberg’s “are part of the 5 percent of those who have been successful” and that “They set an example of how restitution should take place.”

While the Rosenbergs are an exceptional case—given the extent and prestige of their collection as well as the meticulous records kept by Paul Rosenberg that have been used to discount those who discredit their claims—their crusade raises many pertinent issues. One such dispute is the fact that, after so many years—and what can be considered legitimate purchases—many people/institutions may in fact have reasonable claims to looted artworks.  Experts estimate the roughly 100,000 pieces worth perhaps $10 billion are still missing from Nazi plundering. How can we best approach the reconstitution of cultural legacy?

Originally posted by Sally Johnson on CulturalSecurity.net.

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Cultural Security News (Apr. 14 - Apr. 20)

The art market, reportedly, is strong, while Egypt struggles to counter looting

In politics, in UAE, academics commented on the lack of Islamic and Arab culture in local branches of foreign schools and universities as a “cultural-security issue.”

In a crossover of politics and security, in Syria, armed conflict continues to put historic structures at risk. In Turkey, a civilian contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense was detained for suspected antiquities smuggling. Time provided a pictorial list of the top ten plundered artifacts. In China, the Vice Premier promoted an inventory of moveable cultural relics to maintain “cultural security.”

In economics, in Dubai, Christie’s reports that the art market in the Middle East has sustainable growth. In Poland, the art market reportedly is flourishing as well. In New York, Indian art did well in an auction at Sotheby’s. The art market in Europe also, reportedly, is showing strong growth.

In a crossover of economics and security, the debate continues over the viability of the art market as a place for investment comparable to the stock market. In Libya, oil exploration puts archaeological sites at risk. In New York, the district attorney charged a gallery owner among numerous other defendants in a money laundering ring of the Nahmad-Trincher Organisation.

In security, a report from the Egyptian Council for Culture and Arts indicates that looting remains a problem that the Ministry of Interior and security forces have not been able to counter effectively. Still authorities remain vigilant in seizing ancient coffins, statues, and coins, and a man was arrested for possession looted coins and small artifacts.

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Big Data on the Relative Value of Culture

Last week took a look at Big Data of the art market. This week takes a first step in comparing the financial value of art and the economic significance of the art market. The results are somewhat surprising and rather sobering.

The graph to the right shows annual sales in the art market as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The dotted black line indicates worldwide sales as a percentage of world GDP. The percentage dipped slightly with the economic downturn in 2009, recovered a bit in 2010, and then stayed roughly the same through 2012. Note that the percentage is relatively constant at about 0.10% but has not quite recovered to the level of 2008.

The solid lines indicate annual art sales, as a percentage of the respective GDP, in the nations with the largest share of the worldwide art market.

·     The green line indicates that the percentage for the United States roughly tracked the percentage for world art sales and decreased slightly over the five-year period.

·     The purple line indicates that China had the same percentage as the United States in 2008 but declined less in 2009 and increased more through 2011. Although the percentage for China fell with a market correction in 2012, art sales in China increased slightly relative to the GDP over the five-year period.

·     The blue line indicates that the United Kingdom has consistently had a significantly higher percentage than for world sales and for sales in the United States and China. The percentage for the United Kingdom decreased significantly more with the economic downturn but then recovered at the same rate as the percentage for China with a corresponding correction in 2012.

A sense of spending on art relative to the size of economies brings perspective to the perceived value of culture, especially in contrast to financial reporting on the art market.

1.   In contrast to the record-eclipsing prices for individual paintings, worldwide spending on art, as a percentage of GDP, not only has not increased over the past five years but has decreased slightly.

2.   The United States has greater sales of art than China or the United Kingdom, but art sales in the United States rank lower as a percentage of GDP.

3.   In China, spending on art increased dramatically over the past five years, but the sales as a percentage of GDP increased only slight over all.

4.   Annual art sales in the United Kingdom have not recovered since the economic downturn in of 2008 and 2009, and consequently the United Kingdom now ranks third in worldwide market share. As a percentage of GDP, however, art sales in the United Kingdom remain significantly higher than in China or the United States.

In conclusion, while the financial value of art seems to indicate an increasing value of culture, the economic significance of the art market remains relatively unchanged.

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Cultural Security News (Apr. 07 - Apr. 13)

Native American artifacts: court cases and archaeological investigations

In politics, in Egypt, the Antiquities Minister refuted a report of looting in a region by asserting that the area in question does not have any archaeological sites. This past week marked the 10-year anniversary of the destruction of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. In Iraq, an archaeologist claims that the United States obtained, and has refused to return, thousands of artifacts. In China, Jackie Chan’s title of “ambassador for the return of relics” was drawn into question over plans to move historic buildings to Singapore. In England, the Labour party dismissed the idea of a statue of Margaret Thatcher on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. In the United States, Bill Moyers interviewed a Native American author on the lack of cultural power of Indians.

In a crossover of politics and economics, in Jordan, the EU Ambassador inaugurated a cultural event that promotes artists and designers.  In China, Christie’s gained permission to hold an auction in Shanghai. The event will mark the first auction held by a foreign company on the mainland. Also, the planned Beijing freeport will be much larger than the Shanghai freeport. In Texas, development of public land now falls subject to archaeological investigation for cultural artifacts.

In a crossover of politics and security, in Syria, ancient sites suffer damage as fortifications are exploited to strategic advantage in the civil war. In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not know what happened to 35 protected monuments, which have disappeared. Controversy over the Hopi masks for sale in France continued with legal proceedings against the Paris auction house. The sale occurred nonetheless but not without emotional protests at the auction.

In economics, Artspace.com expanded its online business with the acquisition of VIP Art of New York, and Hiscox insurance reported an increase in online purchases of art. Meanwhile, in New York, another firm, Art Remba, entered the online market for trying out artworks before committing to an acquisition. Sotheby’s demonstrated confidence in a comeback of the art market by announcing plans to ask $30-40 million for a painting by Francis Bacon. Reportedly, interest in African contemporary art has surged. In Mexico, the annual art bazaar fell short of expectations. In China, reports on the strength of the art market on the mainland remain mixed, but the online market continues to expand with a new website that will focus on modern and contemporary art.

In a crossover of economics and security, reports continued on the prolonged closure of the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad.

In security, in Texas, Homeland Security Investigations made an arrest for the theft of Chinese ivory Buddhist Lohans from a gallery in Houston. In Italy, police recovered a Chagall painting eleven years after the theft from a yacht in a northern port. A rare report on damage to cultural property during armed conflict in Nepal pointed out that the nation has yet to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention.

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Big Data of the Art Market and the Value of Culture

The art market is increasingly global. In news this past week, Christie’s reportedly became the first foreign auction house to gain permission to operate independently in mainland China, and apparently more collectors worldwide are blurring national borders by buying art online, and not just affordable contemporary works. Still, competition between nations and cultures remains a part of the art world. For example, the United States regained the top market share for total (auction and private) sales in 2012, but reportedly China still had the largest auction market.

As political boundaries give way to globalization, cultures become more exposed to foreign influence. Rhetoric by officials in China and concerns about the influence of development in Africa reflect the effects on national cultures. While effects are apparent, tracking change remains a challenge. Qualitative observations describe the change, but a measurable rate of change remains elusive. An emerging political economy of cultural property adds complexity but also identifies a means to track the change.

A global market for art and antiques provides a means to measure the perceived “value” of culture. Enterprises such as Artprice of France and Artron of China increasingly provide data online to monitor art sales, and a recent report on the two enterprises combining resources holds potential for a comprehensive source of data from the art market. Similarly, the annual report that follows TEFAF provides data not only on auction sales but also on private sales, which can make up a significant portion of the global market for art and antiques. But what does the resulting Big Data look like, and what does it say about the value of culture?

The graph to the right provides a sense of the types of possible analyses. All data were derived from TEFAF annual reports. The dotted black line indicates global sales of art and antiques by year. The right vertical axis provides a scale in billions of USD. Note the dramatic drop in sales with the economic crisis of 2008 and the gradual recovery through 2011 with a slight market correction in 2012. The solid lines indicate the percentages of the top three nations in the market, and the left vertical axis provides a scale. The green line indicates that the United States has had a dominant market share with the exception of 2011. The blue line indicates that the United Kingdom has fallen off in market share but has maintained a consistent share since 2010. The purple line indicates that China steadily increased in market share through, and even surpassed the United States in, 2011 before dropping off slightly in 2012.

The steady increase of China’s market share may suggest that China increasingly values culture, at least in the form of fine art and antiques. The increase does demonstrate China’s ability to compete with Western nations for influence in the global spectrum of cultural power. The available data allow for further analyses on fine art and antiques, and the market for antiquities remains to be explored.

What other questions about the perceived value of culture in the 21^st century might be asked and answered through Big Data of the art market?

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Cultural Security News (Mar. 31 - Apr. 06)

Peru-China and Egypt-EU agreements to counter trafficking in cultural property

In politics, the battle for the Berlin Wall continued, while the power of the symbolism has waned since 1989. After three years of investigation, a Buddhist statue was returned from the United States to Myanmar. In Italy, investigation into the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin continued. South Koreans called for the return of a stolen Buddhist statue to Japan. In Russia, Artyom Loskutov is considered the most well-known activist after Pussy Riot. Peru and China have signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement, which includes protection and recovery of cultural property.

In a crossover of politics and economics, an Arizona tribe requested that an auction house in Paris withhold tribal artifacts with religious significance from sale. In the UK, the seller of a Reynold’s painting is attempting to categorize the artwork as “plant” to avoid capital gains tax.

In a crossover of politics and security, in Iraq development has surpassed looting as the main threat to cultural heritage. Egypt and the EU discussed an agreement to fight trafficking and to repatriate artifacts. In Syria, controversy continued over which parties are responsible for looting of cultural property. The Lawyers for Justice in Libya demanded the arrest of the parties responsible for the destruction of the Al-Andalusi mausoleum.

In economics, speculation continued over the contraction of the art market in China, while debate over undervaluing of the international art market gained momentum. Steven Cohen reportedly paid $155 million for Picasso’s “Le Reve.” The market for damaged art has particular relevance as insurance companies settle claims after natural disasters such as hurricane Sandy. In Nigeria, increased documentation of contemporary art is improving the market.

In a crossover of economics and security, in Thailand, restoration competes with conservation of historic monuments. United Nation agencies have announced a campaign to alert tourists to illicit goods that enable organized crime.

In security, in Paris, a bomb threat caused the evacuation of the Eiffel Tower. In Syria, a Jewish synagogue was looted and hit by shelling in Damascus, and the Temple of Bel was damaged by fighting in Palmyra. In Utah, several individuals were indicted for trafficking in artifacts from Peru. On a positive note, in Bulgaria, cultural property crimes have dropped by half.

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A Paradox in Repatriation – American Artifacts

Foreign nations habitually depend on international accords to enlist American help when seeking repatriation of artifacts from the United States; Washington, however, has no reciprocal agreements governing American artifacts abroad.  New York Times reporter Tom Mashberg describes how this paradox in the way artifacts are repatriated around the world is brought to light by the current Hopi case.

The Hopi Indians of Arizona are trying to stop the sale of 70 sacred “masks” at an auction in Paris next week.  The Hopi believe these object to be imbued with divine spirits, and that for outsiders to photograph, collect, or sell them, is sacrilegious. According to the auction house, the collector (who remains anonymous) legally purchased the objects at auctions and sales within the United States over a period of 30 years, starting in 1930, and therefore is in accordance with French law; Hopi leaders counter that any sales made by tribe were not legal, given that they may have been made under duress and since no individual Hopi can “own” a religious artifact, as it is owned communally. The impending auction—to take place on April 12—will be one of the largest auctions of Hopi artifacts and is estimated to procure $1 million. Although both the State and Interior Departments are advising the tribe, both agencies admit that their ability to intervene is limited. The laws currently in effect to protect the illicit sale of Indian artifacts only apply to the United States, and have no weight abroad.

It is a rare occurrence when a cultural heritage claim arises from the sale of American artifacts abroad. Jack F. Tope, the executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs, discusses how, “Right now there just aren’t any prohibitions against this kind of foreign sale.” It is easy to forget, amid the turmoil of repatriation cases directed at or seeking a helping hand from the United States, that sacred artifacts belonging to the United States can just as easily end up in the foreign art market. Unfortunately, as Trope aptly states, “The leverage for international repatriation just isn’t there.”  Just as cultures abroad have a right to their cultural heritage, so too do those in the United States.  The paradox brought to light by the Hopi case is proof of our on-going need to continue examining and reevaluating world-wide laws pertaining to cultural heritage.

Originally posted by Sally Johnson on CulturalSecurity.net.

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