Author: Matthew Westphal

Getty Trust President Argues Against Repatriating Artifacts In One Of The World’s Most Prestigious Journals

James Cuno: “In the battle over cultural heritage, repatriation claims based strictly on national origin are more than just denials of cultural exchange: they are also arguments against the promise of encyclopedic museums. … Cultural property should be recognized for what it is: the legacy of humankind and not of the modern nation-state, subject to the political agenda of its current ruling elite.”

Accept That Art Hoard And You’ll Be Sued Into Oblivion, World Jewish Congress Tells Swiss Museum

When the reclusive Cornelius Gurlitt died in May, he left his 1,200-piece collection – much of which is suspected of having been looted by the Nazis and fenced by Gurlitt’s art-dealer father – to the Kunstmuseum Bern. Now WJC president Ronald Lauder has warned that if the museum accepts, “it will open a Pandora’s box and unleash an avalanche of lawsuits.”

“Venerable But Vulnerable”: Chamber Orchestra Of Philadelphia At 50

“With its recent national tour with Branford Marsalis, 90-plus albums available on Amazon.com, and … its recently knighted music director, Dirk Brossé, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia would seem to have arrived at its landmark birthday … due for a well-earned victory lap.” But the group has been rumored to be in serious financial peril. Not quite, says CHoP’s new executive director.

The Great Auteur Of Film Trailers

“[Mark Woollen is the] 43-year-old shaggy-haired hipster introvert who makes indelible spots for Hollywood’s highbrow one percent. Terrence Malick, David Fincher, Werner Herzog, Lars von Trier, the Coen brothers, Spike Jonze, Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson … One studio executive calls his body of work ‘the Criterion Collection of trailers’.”

“It Is Not My Job” To Drum Up Cash For Ulster Orchestra, Says Northern Ireland Arts Minister

Carál Ni Chuilín is sympathetic to the “scary” (her word) financial position the orchestra is in. But, in response to a question from a legislator about seeking local funding outside Belfast, she said, “It is not my job to go round all the local councils on behalf of the orchestra to drum up support, pardon the pun; it is the orchestra’s job.”