“It’s good to finally sit down,” the woman said
as she hung her bag on the back of her chair and covered it with her jacket.
“We have been on our feet for a good few hours. There is no way we could see even
half of the galleries here in one day.”
“Are you saying that you’d want to come back here
another day?”
“Who wouldn’t?” But then immediately she
corrected herself. “I know, I know. But even you cannot deny the magnificent of
these mas0terpieces. They are breathtakingly beautiful.”
A young waiter whose apron covered part of his perfectly
ironed white shirt and black trousers took their order.
“Yes, it is marvellous here, considering …” The
man said as soon as the waiter took their order and left.
“There we go again! Please say no more. I know
where you are going with this conversation.”
The man sighed and shifted in his chair, put
his right elbow on the table and rested his head on his hand, but immediately
changed position and moved himself towards the back of the chair.
“More than 20 years of friendship is telling me
that you have to say it, go on then.”
"It’s hardly surprising Margaret, I am not
at ease here. These objects that have amazed us are practically stolen property.
They shouldn’t be here.”
"I know what you're saying, but don’t
forget things were different back when these artifacts were collected.”
“Even if, as you say, these artefacts were collected
(he gestured air quotes) in the past, what happens to our responsibility now?
Should we do differently now that we know better?”
“This is history. I think it is great that we can
come to a museum and see these objects as part of human heritage.”
“Do you ever wonder how some of these pieces were
brought here. A 20-meter-tall column for instance! Those limestone kneeling
bulls must weigh a few tons! These are the pieces which made the journey. How
many pieces have been destroyed for this many to survive the excavation and the
journey here?”
“I don’t know but unlike you I won’t let that
spoil my day. We’re at the Louvre for God’s sake and these artifacts belong to
everyone to enjoy, including us.”
“Don’t you find it interesting that every time there
is talk abound collective ownership of antiques, we are mostly dealing with
artefacts from countries in the third world.”
“Well, there is a lot of history in Africa and
Asia and a lot of countries in those reigns fall into the third world category.
Why is that even important.”
Their order arrived. The waiter was pushing a highly
decorated utility trolley.
“Wow, I love the trolley. Look at the wood
texture. The gold brown background with the dark patterns is majestic.” She looked
at the waiter and said, “We are in the Louvre after all.”
The waiter smiled and responded, “solid bocote
wood, you only see this wood in exclusive furniture. Everyone falls in love
with the trolley.” The waiter placed their order: soup, sea bass and sliced lemon
and a basket of olive and French bread rolls followed. “Enjoy.”
“It’s a pity that Betty had to stay in bed
today. I hope she gets better soon and can join us tomorrow. Imagine coming all
this way but not be able to visit the Louvre.”
“Well, we came here for our second holiday as a
married couple. Betty loved it and was as impressed as you are. “
“You are a man of good taste. Just tell me how
can you not be impressed with all these antiquities?” She poured a glass of
water for him when she saw him taking a blister pack out of his pocket and popping
out two tablets.
“It annoys me that the French went across the
world and looted everything...” He changed the topic of conversation abruptly when
two women passed their table. “I should have skipped lunch. My stomach hurts.”
“Try to control you nerve, anger works as
poison for your condition. Who would get angry over something that has happened
decades if not centuries ago? Besides do you think it was just French who did
the looting?” She took a spoonful of her soup. “Wow! It is hot!” She started
stirring the soup. “Tell yourself that at least these artefacts are safe here
and generations of any nation can see them here. They are shared history. Human
history and arts I mean."
He pushed his plate away. “OK! I was trying to
avoid this conversation, but let’s carry on talking about our common heritage.
Have you ever thought why this common ownership doesn’t apply to, Em… let’s say
technology of food? Yes, let’s talk about the food industry as a better example.
Why do we let children starve to death because food doesn’t fall under the
category of human common resources, hey?”
“I have no idea, but I am sure there would be
consequences. If food produced belonged to everyone who was hungry and the
manufacturers didn’t have ownership over it to make money, they simply go bust.”
“My dear Margaret the same logic applies to the
artefacts and antiquities stolen
from the third world countries. Why shouldn’t they be the ones who make money
from their own artifacts.”
“But these items
have been brought here many years ago. Surely you don’t want the museums to
hunt for the original creators of items that they hold and make tombstones to commemorate
them.”
“Of course not,
but a percentage of the money taken from ticket sales can be spent on regions where
these artefacts are from. Can it not? NGOs or educational units can use the
money to support young artists with their education or exhibitions? What is
wrong with sponsoring a number of artists from those regions to visit louvre?”
“How do you know
these schemes don’t already exist.”
“They may exist.
In fact I know of a few exchange programmes, but I bet if there is something in
place, it is promoted as a charitable act not a cooperation, partnership or
payback.”
“I am sure if
the museums were to pay rent for the exhibited items, there is going to be lots
of disputes, after all the international borders have changed and countries
have divided. Who gets the ownership in these cases?”
“And you think
ignoring everyone’s right is a good alternative?”
She pushed her
shoulders up and the man continued, “Well, if equity is given a chance, we are
be able to come up with a solution. Provided the idea can flourish before highjacked
in the middle to make it a tokenised and demeaning gesture, that is.
“A nice idea but
not really practical. The world class museums wouldn’t buy it.”
“I think one day
it would be common practice embedded in all museum policy. To get there we would
certainly require changes in how we look at things. But first we need to learn
how to celebrate these masterpieces and also respect others rights.”
“I have finished my soup and you have hardly
touched your food.” She put the spoon into the empty bowl.
“It’s best if I don’t eat fish. I had some
bread.” He called out for the bill.
“Let’s go and see some more of what Louvre has
to offer and leave this discussion to those in the know.” She said as she put
her pin number in the credit card reader that the waiter passed her.
“Margaret, if this was everyone’s motto, we
would’ve still had slavery as a law. Everyone needs to push for initiating a conversation
to instigate talks for developing instruments and practical ideas for achieving
what we need to do.”
“Don’t you think there are more important causes
that people could advocate for.” She put her bag across her shoulder and passed
the man’s walking stick to him.
The man got up and held on to the table trying
to maintain his balance as he first stood up. “There is no shortage of what needs
to be done. But a framework for acknowledging the rights of the owners of the museum’s
pieces is one of them.” He stood straight and half pushed his chair in. “I know developing tools for returning artefacts
requires times and effort, and governments much rather focus on repatriating refugees!
But that’s another story. Let’s leave it for another day.”
“Yes, let’s leave it. Your creased-up forehead
and bent posture tells me it’s best to call it a day. What do you think?”
“My stomach pain is getting worse. If you don’t mind, yes please, I prefer to go back to the hotel.”
She put on her jacket. “I think
maybe Betty knew what was waiting for her in the louvre, and not feeling 100%
was only an excuse." They laughed as
they walked out of the coffeeshop.
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