I scream, you scream, we all scream - for board-games... / art custody battle (Friday 28 October 2005)
This game's a scream
compiled by Mary Garboden
C.S.I: Oslo? Well, kinda, but on a more interactive level and with fewer date-rape drugs.
Oslo's Munch Museum recently caused a stir by bringing out a board-game based on thefts made from the famous museum. Entitled The Mystery of the Scream, the game allows players - ages seven and up - to become art thieves and weasel their way out of the museum's security system, or try their detective skills by taking the role of policemen trying to stop the criminals.
Displaying a lack of humour and incomprehension of fun that would dissuade the most eager of young art-lovers from setting foot in a museum, Kaare Berntsen, a gallery director, said of the game, "In principle I find it a bit in bad taste to make a game out of the theft of The Scream ... My initial reaction is to disapprove of an initiative that helps trivialize a national and international drama while the painting is still missing." Sorry Kaare - I took off my black armband a few weeks ago. Perhaps he fears real-life detectives will be distracted by the game and cease caring about actually recovering one of their country's priceless national treasures?
The Munch Museum, however, stands by its product. As Museum spokesperson Jorunn Christofferson declared, "It's a completely innocent game."
For some background information on the theft, see previous CIRCA articles here, here, and here.
source:http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/10/25/Arts/munch_game_051025.html
Custody battle over Soutine, Vlaminck, and Utrillo
compiled by Allyson Corcoran
It seems the art world has a game of Cluedo on their hands, sans the murder. In a case waiting to be heard before the High Court in London, Michael Bakwin, a restaurateur, and Panama-based Erie International Trading Co. will dispute the rightful ownership of two Soutines, a Vlaminck, and an Utrillo. The paintings were stolen from Bakwin's home in 1978 and resurfaced in 1999 when the Art Loss Register reclaimed them. The ALR dealt with a Swiss lawyer and the paintings were signed over to Erie. Recently, Erie was questioned about how the paintings ended up in their possession. The results were placed in a sealed envelope that will not be opened until the court day. The paintings are currently being held at Sotheby's until a verdict is reached.
source: TheArtNewspaper.com
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