I chose to write about the Parthenon marbles this week because it seems to be a hot topic of controversy among the art world. From what I understand the marbles originally were created in what is now known as Greece. Greece was first under the control of the Ottoman Empire. A man named Eglin was a ruler of the Ottoman Empire when the marbles were taken from Greece. Eglin had a strong passion and fixation with classical pieces. Eglin began “missions” to uncover and track down pieces from all over. This is how Eglin landed up with the Parthenon Marbles.
After watching the video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGitmYl6U90) you can see that Eglin’s people during their missions took statues and things by lowering them with crane like tools, while doing this some pieces were dropped and crumbled to ruins.
Eglin soon got his share of karma for all of these missions of taking classical pieces that are not essentially his, just his desire. Eglin caught a disease which landed him losing part of his nose. His wife also left him, probably because his attention was so preoccupied with gathering these classical pieces. She left him for his best friend and the divorce caused him to fall into even more debt. In order to dig himself out of a hole of debt, Eglin sold his marbles to the British government for a price equaling $4 million dollars today.
In my opinion since the historical setting of the Parthenon marbles is in Greece they should be displayed there in one of their museums. One of the British arguments is that Greece does not have a good enough museum to display them in, and now that they have the idea or built the new museum it seems fitting that the Parthenon marbles make their way back. One proposal I have for the British to agree to send them to Greece would be to have a cut of any income of admissions from the museum in Greece hosting the marbles. I also propose that with the display of the marbles in the museum in Greece, they should clearly state that the marbles are British property in the description of the history of the piece. Over time I think that the British government would be thankful with this move because it settles the dispute of them having the marbles and they earn money on top of not having the controversy anymore.
Recently, a Greek minister met with a director of the British museum for the first time over the controversial issue dealing with the marbles. The Greek government has gone out of their way to assure the British government and British museum that their intentions do not lie in owning the marbles just in the location of the marbles.
I like your idea about having the British receive a profit from the admission fees. Money (and the tourist industry) seems to be a key part of this issue. Both the Greeks and the British want to profit from having these statues located in their country. Even though the British Museum does not charge admission, the museum gets government funding and London attracts more tourists as a result of the collection at the museum. Perhaps if both countries could be financially satisfied, then an agreement could be made about the statues.
ReplyDelete-Prof. Bowen
I think you were able to grasp a good understanding of the history behind the marbles. You have an interesting compromise for the marbles to return to the museum in Greece. You did a good job in supporting your opinion and backing it up with facts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that since Greece has built a new, nicer museum that the Marbles should be displayed in them. In my article I wrote that the British should make a copy of the Marbles with todays technology, it could be done in no time, and it's all fair game. When the original pieces back in Athens, It would make a huge successful difference rather than a confusing one.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you explain easily about the history of the Eglin and the Marbles. After I watched that video, I feel so uncomfortable and regrettable. I think your propose would be great for both of Greece and British. If the Greece has enough money to build a new museum and to do the exchange, I hope they should do it. On the other hand, I feel so sad that the Greece has to appeal to British sincerely for getting back their own art. I hope they could get back the Marbles as soon as possible.
ReplyDelete