'Terrorist' artist faces 20 years imprisonment / Vermeer painting sold for 5 times its reserve (Thursday 8 July 2004)

compiled by Susan Hunt

Artist Steve Kurtz is charged with fraud

Steve Kurtz, the artist and university professor who has been under investigation for federal terrorism since May (see previous news items here and here) was finally charged on Tuesday 29 June. Kurtz and Robert Ferrell, chairman of the University of Pittsburgh's Human Genetics Department, were both charged with four counts of fraud, including mail fraud and wire fraud.

Ferrell has been accused of using a school account with a biological supply company to order organisms of a potentially harmful nature for Kurtz, which colleagues believe he was intending to use in an art project. If this turns out to be true then Kurtz would have obtained the materials illegally. Both of these men now face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. On the up side (if it could be called up), the pair currently are not facing allegations of bioterrorism but Paul Cambria, Kurtz's attorney, has argued that,

the evidence is abundant that neither of these individuals had any criminal intent. Their intent was simply to educate and enlighten people.

Unfortunately the courts have obtained evidence which strongly suggests that Kurtz was aware that the bacteria he planned to use had some dangerous qualities. In an e-mail to Ferrell he wrote,

While not wildly dangerous, it is associated with urinary tract infections and seems to be around other infections.

Kurtz's case is ongoing but we'll keep you posted!

Vermeer died virtually penniless but now makes millions!

The rare painting Young Woman Seated at the Virginals, by Johannes Vermeer, auctioned off Wednesday at Sotheby's in London, was suspected of being fake for decades; image held here.

Last night, Wednesday 7 July, Young Woman Seated at the Virginals became the first Vermeer work to be sold at auction since 1921 (see previous update here). One of only 36 known works by the artist in the world, this work was considered a fake for years and was only authenticated last year. The painting made a massive £16 million (24 million euro) when it went under the hammer at Sotheby's yesterday and well surpassed its £3 million reserve price. It was bought by an anonymous phone bidder.

Most recent news items:
• 'Wash me please': self-cleaning Spike needs a scrub / Turner Award goes to University of Ulster art student (Wednesday 7 June 2004)
• 'Satanic' art publication causes uproar in Belfast (Tuesday 6 July 2004)
• Regan takes Microsoft prize / Irish Game for those who like their art hot (Monday 5 July 2004)
• Plastic art: Food chain Barbie (Friday 2 July 2004)

For a full list of news items, click here.

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News item 603  I have to say I agree with Circa. I have been working on a projec...
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