CFP: Art Crime and Stolen Heritage, Session at EAA (Maastricht, 30 Aug-3 Sep 17)

Deadline: Mar 15, 2017

Art Crime and Stolen Heritage: Towards an Archaeological Consensus

Organizers: James Symonds, Nour A. Munawar, Lindsay Morehouse, Christine Acosta Weirich, Marina Lostal, Jens Notroff

The looting of archaeological sites is by no means a recent phenomenon and has been taking place in war zones for centuries. The incidence of illicit trade has, however, been significantly influenced in recent years by the growth of international art markets that are willing to accept/sell unprovenanced items. Examples of the privatisation of public monuments have added to the loss of cultural heritage by placing items in private hands. Additionally, social media platforms/cost sharing applications have provided readily accessible markets for art objects and archaeological artefacts.

In high-profile incidents worldwide, heritage and art have been targeted by treasure-hunters who have exploited political instability to openly plunder antiquities. The theft of cultural items has only served to deepen the psychological impacts of conflict in regions (MENA region) by removing cherished items of local/national heritage. Simultaneously, the growing trend for many public institutions to sell “unwanted” cultural items has led to a devaluation of heritage, encouraging unscrupulous private collectors to appropriate objects with little regard for their history, context or legitimate collection practices.

This session examines emerging trends in art crime and the grey market for stolen art. We address principles of stewardship of threatened archaeological materials in conflict contexts, attempting to identify new ways to overcome the current limitations on safeguarding heritage. Is it possible to work towards an international archaeological consensus and to develop strategies to enhance protection of the world’s collective artistic patrimony? And can we discourage looting by exposing criminals and their willing accomplices in international markets?

Keywords: Conflict, Heritage, Art, Middle East & Northern Africa

The session is now open for contributions. Please submit your paper to the EAA (https://www.klinkhamergroup.com/eaa2017/) as well as a copy to the session organizers (listed below).

Proposals (15 minutes paper) can be submitted until 15th March 2017

For more information, please contact the session organizers:

James Symonds: J.Symonds2@uva.nl
Nour A. Munawar: N.a.munawar@uva.nl
Lindsay Morehouse: L.R.Morehouse@uva.nl
Christine Acosta Weirich: christine.weirich@gmail.com
Marina Lostal: mlostalb@cantab.net
Jens Notroff: Jens.notroff@dainst.de

Reference:
CFP: Session at EAA (Maastricht, 30 Aug-3 Sep 17). In: H-ArtHist, Mar 6, 2017 (accessed Mar 6, 2017).