Should art be returned to its location of origin? It depends on how that art was obtained. I weigh into the discussion in the CBC radio segment below.
Museums Need "Sleeper Claims" to Test Ownership of Stolen Art
Stolen art is still sold at high prices and displayed at elite museums. Museums should welcome “sleeper claims” as motivation to discover where their art came from, and whether they are displaying looted art.
Contemporary Antiquity, Inside Jobs, and The Shroud of Turin: Assorted News
I have been busy writing, speaking, and traveling so far this year, with excursions to Minnesota, Stockholm, the Pacific Coast, Paris, and Normandy. I've been enjoying art, history, and of course, fishing with my five-year-old grandson.
I'll have more news coming soon, but below are a few highlights.
I talked with Eurobsit about how expert human eyes are the best technology to spot fake art and antiquities.
Read MoreThoughts on the Met Museum's New Admission Fees
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City recently announced that they would be charging an admissions fee for out-of-state visitors. I spoke with Daniel Grant from Observer about the change, and reflected on making The Walters Art Museum Free.
Reading 10/15 at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
I'm still enjoying doing talks and readings for Sacred and Stolen, as well as talking about a passion of mine, the Shroud of Turin.
I have a reading upcoming at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts on 10/15 at 2:30 pm. I'll be talking about Sacred and Stolen.
You can also read an interview about the talk and my research on the Shroud of Turin in Herald Mail.
I have also been speaking at various places this fall, and I'll have more details to come. I've been to Old St. Paul's, Homeland 3 Arts, and Wednesday Club. Tonight, I'm headed to Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church, and on 10/10, I'm headed to Charlestown Retirement Community. I'll update here when I have more news.
If you'd like to bring me in for a talk about the inner workings of museums, the Shroud of Turin, Elvis, or a wide variety of subjects within the fields of art and history, please contact me. I'd be happy to set up a talk or reading!
Interview in Humanities Magazine
I talked with David Skinner of Humanities magazine about the backstage intrigue of working at a museum, as portrayed in Sacred and Stolen.
Weighing in on Stolen Treasures in Bloomberg
Another artifact has been claimed as stolen: the Government of Turkey wants a stone idol that was recently sold at auction. I spoke to Bloomberg about how the art world is now handling stolen art. Read about my take, and more about the Stargazer idol, in Bloomberg.
Recorded Talk about "Sacred and Stolen" at Chautauqua Women’s Club
This last weekend, I was honored to give a talk about "Sacred and Stolen" at Chautauqua Women’s Club. They recorded the talk for everyone to enjoy, and you can watch it below.
In Newsweek: Tracking Antiquities to Prevent Looting
In this Newsweek article about new technology to track antiquities, I weigh in on the question of how ISIS may or may not be looting antiquities for financial gain.
Art and Criminality on the Leonard Lopate Show
In this radio segment, I talk about the behind-the-scenes process of how antiquities journey into museums. I discuss the "wild west" of the art world and its ethical implications.