Transcript + 1 - digitalphilologoi

19th century:
A British ambassador removes some of the finest sculptures
from the Acropolis of Athens. These marble sculptures are
shipped to Britain, ending up in the hands of the British
Museum in London.
20th century:
UNESCO designates the Acropolis of Athens as a world
heritage site. It recognises the Acropolis of Athens as the
symbol of world heritage itself.
21st century:
The international community recognises and strongly
supports the necessity for the return of the seized marbles
3
2
4
1
Fighting against instincts,
separation and possession
Trying to tell a sacred story
while
60% of the Parthenon sculptures is still in London
Revealing the way to
approach Knowledge
The sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens need to be reunited
9 + 1 reasons
ΛΟΓΟ
There are many reasons that the Parthenon sculptures
must be reunited
exhibit
9 + 1 reasons
The Parthenon sculptures, and all pieces of the Athenian Acropolis, only make sense as a whole
ΕΚΘΕ
The buildings and sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens are a monument representing key events and
concepts of Greek history and mythology
The New Acropolis Museum is the optimum exhibition hall designed to house all the Parthenon sculptures
together as a complete exhibit
protection
Since 1975, a unique program has been running in Athens
the Acropolis Restoration Project
Using state-of-the-art conservation technologies
ΠΡΟΣ
With the cost of 46
million euros, only since 2000
employing safe, sensitive cleaning methods that use laser
technology,
pollution deposits have been delicately removed
revealing undamaged the patina and amazing detail
of the frieze in Athens
image © S. Mavrommatis
Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action
history
If something similar happened to a country’s monument today, we would simply call it ‘theft’.
• At the time of the removal of the sculptures, the Greeks were fighting for independence
• The Turkish sultan issued a firman allowing Elgin to study the Acropolis in Athens, not to ship it abroad
Parthenon
and its
sculptures
completed
Greek territory
comes under
Ottoman rule
432 BC
1453
AD
Elgin vandalises
the Acropolis,
cutting sculptures
off its buildings
1801
ΙΣΤΟΡ
first independent
Greek state
forms
UNESCO
designates the
Acropolis as a
World Heritage
site
1829
1987
The New Acropolis
Museum is
ready in Athens
2008
symbol
Beyond any doubt, the Acropolis of Athens symbolises
• the unprecedented progress, cultural peak and passion for excellence in ancient Athens
• the ancient Greek civilisation
ΣΥΜΒ
• the classical period in world history, its art, architecture, science, political reform and philosophy
How can a museum ruin the symbol of World Heritage keeping its pieces apart?
• the foundations and beginning of Western civilisation
• human civilisation and World Heritage (UNESCO)
art
The Parthenon
is a masterpiece
of
ΤΕΧΝ
architecture
art
a
breathing structure
a
unique architectural
standard
art
its
curves and proportions
render
a
it
dynamic
composition
in
space
flow
ΡΟΗ
World-class development projects have maximised the accessibility
of a world monument
to a world audience
flow
The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens
to a continuous archaeological, historical and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe
(a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works)
The new Athens International Airport
the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe
The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of
the Acropolis and other key archaeological sites and monuments
the New Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual
conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis
flow
The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens
to a continuous archaeological, World-class
historic and cultural
walk in the oldest capital of Europe
projects
(a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works)
The new Athens International Airport
the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe
accessibility
The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of
the Acropolis monument and key archaeological sites
the New Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual
world monument
conditions for the exhibition of all the a
Acropolis
sculptures next to the Acropolis!
a world audience
unity
It is about understanding and bringing people together
ΟΜΟ
Europeans are working on an advanced model of communication within the community.
Museums are needed to explicitly promote this effort, not undermine it.
Phidias
One creation, one project. Coordinated by
one artist
ΦΕΙΔ
' According to Professor J.M. Cook in his account of the Parthenon's
construction, "Practically every block in it is unique so as to fit the tilts
and curvatures. Such extravagance could never be afforded again."
And, as he also puts it,
"the Parthenon style is the classical style par excellence ". [...]
The idea is balance and symmetry, summed up in the triad of the
metopes, the frieze and the pediments.'
(excerpt from 'The Elgin Marbles' by Christopher Hitchens)
image © Artmedia Press
ethics
• Museums are meant to extend beyond ownership and division to serve unity and art integrity
• The Greek nation was never asked about the removal of its heritage treasures
ΗΘΙΚ
• Greece and the UK are fellow European States, connected with bonds of friendship
 Did you know?
Greece has offered to lend other precious treasures to the UK
in return for the reunification of the Acropolis sculptures close to the monument
9 + 1 reasons
’
+1
ΑΛΗΘ
+ 1truth
The Parthenon sculptures are part of the Parthenon
The monument will only be complete again
when all its pieces are brought back together
The British Museum should not act as a gallery
exhibiting ownership
but as an institution promoting
education and unity beyond its physical borders
It is your support and awareness that will help
the Acropolis sculptures return to Athens
With everyone’s understanding
they will return
art
be
should not
fragmented
AcropolisofAthens.gr
Our generations will be inspired by complete world heritage monuments
The focus is now on the New Acropolis Museum in Athens; not just because of the historical importance of the monument, but
its great cultural depth and gravity in a world of civilisations.
The permanent restoration of the Parthenon sculptures to a single,
exhibit depends on everyone’s understanding;
meaningful
yours too
Read more.
Visit http://www.AcropolisofAthens.gr
AcropolisofAthens.gr
- one monument, one heritage
URL: www.AcropolisofAthens.gr