Returning the "loot"

Okay, I thought this was a really interesting story. The fact that it transpired at my university right under my nose makes it all the more pertinent, and hence I decided to share it with you all.

The Flagellation of Christ, attributed to the Master of the St. Goar Altar
German, fl. late 15th century
Panel from an altarpiece, 1480s
Oil on oak panel
Gift of Herman B. Wells, 85.59
Deaccessioned 2011

This Flagellation of Christ is thought to be the wing of a late 15th century German altarpiece, attributed to the Master of the St. Goar altar. It ended up here after former Indiana University President Herman B. Wells purchased it in good faith in London in 1967, then donated it to the museum in 1985. It had been on display here for many, many years and was a favorite for President Wells to visit as he grew older and more frail. IUAM Director Heidi Gealt believed that he identified with the Christian symbol of endurance.

However, in 2004 it was learned that this piece had been stolen from the Jadgschloss Grunewald, a small museum on the outskirts of Berlin, in the summer of 1945, which classifies it as World War II looted art. Along with 15 other paintings, this piece had been commendeared by Russian or British (likely British) soldiers from the Jadgschloss Grunewald, only to reappear on the London art market in 1966 with its past completely obscured. In 2006, after extensive research, the IUAM agreed to return the work. Now, 5 years later and as President Wells would have wanted had he known the truth, this piece is being officially returned to Berlin, its restitution ceremony taking place on November 21st.

You can visit IUAM's official provenance page for this piece HERE. Provenance is the history of ownership for a work of art. From this page you can access provenance research for other pieces in the IUAM collection.

Let there be light

I'm BACK and with a piece very close to my heart.

"A University should be a place of light, of liberty, and of learning." - Benjamin Disraeli

Indiana University Light Totem - Rob Shakespeare

This 70-foot-tall light installation by IU Professor Rob Shakespeare was first installed in 2007 in honor of the Indiana University Art Museum's 25th anniversary. Originally only supposed to be up for 3 months, the totem and its technicolor light shows wow'd the Bloomington community so much, they extended its stay for three years. In February 2010, the IU Board of Trustees approved for the totem to become a permanent installation on campus. This past summer, Shakespeare and his crew disassembled the piece for a rework, completely with new bulbs and new shows.

The piece uses energy efficient LED lights and runs in cycles of varying rhythms and patterns. Shakespeare can reprogram the shows at any time. This summer, Shakespeare also made it possible for the totem to sense when people are around and light up accordingly. The totem even has its own Facebook Page where you can get descriptions of the light shows and watch videos of its magic.

The following pictures were taken by the talented and exceptionally handsome Matt James. And I'm pretty sure they were taken with his phone, so that should be considered a testament to his skills. :)

"To love beauty is to see light." - Victor Hugo

One of the best things about the light totem is what a hit it is with everyone on the campus. Students love to come visit it at night, lay on their backs with their feet up against the building, and watch the lights. Visitors to the totem really bond over the experience.

This is an exceptional installation that brings the community together and gives every viewer a special memory to walk away with. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this institution and to experience this work of art every single day.

"Love is not consolation. It is light." - Friedrich Nietzsche