A SLOW PATH FOR RESTITUTION OF LOOTED ART OBJECTS by Shelly Schoeneshoefer
As children , our history lessons were filled with exciting tales of bravery where kings and queens would win wars and obtain lands while retrieving treasures to add to their already existing collections . It seemed the only villains in the history books were those coming from other countries , colonies , or tribes that were responsible for instigating acts of violence . It wasn ’ t until I became a teenager that I started asking questions that the teachers couldn ’ t answer , and I soon realized that something was terribly amiss with our history lessons .
Isn ’ t the general consensus that we ask questions and learn from history so we don ’ t repeat it ? What seems valid is to look at who wrote a history book and from what perspective it was written . Are we really willing to take a hard look at the truth and accept responsibility for the damage our ancestors might have done and try to correct it so we can move forward ? It is not only challenging , but also a confrontation with a reality that carries a lot of responsibility , as it begins with the repatriation of stolen or looted cultural materials to their countries of origins .
I have to admit that I loved visiting the archaeological sections of museums scattered through the US and in Europe , never giving a thought as to how all these artifacts came into the inventory of the museums . I just assumed that they all were donations and not actually looted artifacts or acquisitions through illegal transactions . The MARKK Museum am Rothenbaum certainly is one of those museums that has an incredible inventory of acquired artifacts , but it wasn ’ t until recently that they started looking at that inventory to decide which of those objects should be returned to their rightful owners , especially if they are related to the cultural or religious beliefs of that country .
The recent activities with the Benin bronzes are a good example of moving forward in this process of coming to terms with decolonization . A free panel discussion on March 7 , 2023 , with the title “ Benin : What Future after the Returns ” discussed the future of Benin art in Nigeria . This was just the beginning of many discussions and exchanges that this museum , as well as many others , will have as petitions come forward demanding recognition for legal , rightful owners , whether a country or a tribe or an individual .
Another form of repatriation request is for the return of cultural objects and burial remains stolen from indigenous populations , largely in North and South America , Australia , New Zealand , and Oceania , by European invaders . What distinguishes these claims is the enduring living memory of contemporary tribal communities for specific objects and sites which were looted and desecrated , and the acute spiritual need for their return and restoration .
This was recently addressed on September 25 , 2022 , when a Maori congregation from New Zealand agreed to a cultural exchange at the MARKK , where they taught us how to dance , weave hats ,
60 HAMBURG HAPPENINGS