Art in Exile

Last updated
Art in Exile
Art in Exile.jpg
Produced by Haim Bresheeth
Production
company
Distributed by AHRC
Release date
  • March 1, 2008 (2008-03-01)
Running time
45 minutes
CountryWorldwide
LanguageEnglish
Budget£5000

Art in Exile: Western Appropriation and Control of Ancient Cultural Artefacts is a 45-minute documentary that delves into the complex and controversial subject of art acquisition policies by Western museums. The film, released on March 1, 2008, explores the impact of these policies on the countries of origin and scrutinizes the ethical implications surrounding the possession and display of art and artifacts acquired during historical periods of colonialism and imperialism. Shot across the UK, USA, France, Italy, and Egypt, "Art in Exile" aims to shed light on the debates surrounding cultural heritage and repatriation. [1]

Contents

Summary

Art in Exile examines the historical and ongoing controversies surrounding the acquisition of art by Western museums. It questions the legality and morality of past acquisitions and considers the arguments for and against the repatriation of cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. [2] The documentary features interviews with museum curators, historians, legal experts, and representatives from countries seeking the return of their cultural heritage. [3] By presenting a range of perspectives, the film encourages viewers to consider the complex layers of history, ownership, and identity tied to these art pieces. [4]

Production

The documentary was financed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and produced by Haim Bresheeth, a notable figure in documentary filmmaking and cultural studies with a budget of £5000. The production involved extensive research and filming in several countries, highlighting the global nature of the art acquisition debate and took over 4 years to develop. [5]

Reception

"Art in Exile" received critical acclaim for its insightful examination of a contentious issue and its ability to present multiple viewpoints in a balanced manner. The documentary has been praised for raising awareness about the complexities of cultural heritage and has sparked further discussions on the ethical responsibilities of museums in the modern world. [6] Parts of the film's segments were inspired for Shirin Neshat's film, Women Without Men . [7] [8]

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References

  1. "Art in Exile - Seminar revised" (PDF). gcoe.
  2. "Jadaliyya Ezine". reflate1.rssing.com.
  3. "Shirin Neshat: Women Without Men download PDF, EPUB, Kindle - mutsukuridadaのブログ:楽天ブログ". 楽天ブログ.
  4. "Art in Exile content – Haim Bresheeth".
  5. "AHRC Awards". archive web. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03.
  6. https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/54734/Gol%20Bakhsh-2021-thesis.pdf?sequence=4
  7. "Shirin Neshat - Women without men" via Internet Archive.
  8. "Art in exile". 25 May 2011.

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