The phenomenon of vandalism of works of art, especially in large museums abroad, is not a current phenomenon, the Director of the Leventis Gallery and the A. Γ. Leventis, Lucia Loizou Hadjigavriel, on the occasion of the recent such phenomena in galleries by activist groups opposing various issues.
Hadjigavriel notes at the same time that museums should be able to contribute to the cultural formation and intellectual cultivation of their visitors.
We chatted with the Director of the Leventis in an attempt to analyse these incidents, whether they are a social phenomenon transient or recurring from time to time and whether measures can be taken to deal with them.
Hatzigavriel told CBC that in 1914 some women from the suffragette movement reacted to the 1909 purchase of Diego Velasquez's "Venus in front of the Mirror" by the National Gallery in London.
"Suffragette Mary Richardson visited the National Gallery and cut the work with a knife. A few years ago, just after the opening of the great Louvre Museum in Lens, a young Muslim woman threw paint on Delacroix's great work 'Liberty Leads the People'," said Ms. Hadjigavriel.
She also mentioned that for years there has been a movement of separated fathers who are not entitled to see their children who have prepared some stickers with their logo on them, visit museums in the UK and paste them on works of art. There are also movements that enter museums and prevent people from visiting certain works.
"These are mostly periodic phenomena, but which can cost a significant loss of works of art," the director of the Levant noted.
But she said that it is not only such movements that vandalize museums.
"Here in small Cyprus the phenomenon is observed during the visits of students, mainly teenagers, who often, to a limited extent of course, can leave papers, chewing gum on windows and works of art, even on window locks, so that it is difficult to open them again," she said. Asked what UNESCO can do as these are world heritage sites, Ms. Hadjigavriel said that UNESCO has a special committee operating under the umbrella of ICOM, the International Council of Museums, called the International Commission on Museum Security (ICMS).
Asked what UNESCO can do as these are world heritage sites, Ms. Hadjigavriel said that UNESCO has a special committee operating under the umbrella of ICOM, the International Council of Museums, called the International Commission on Museum Security (ICMS).
He explained that ICMS acts as a key advisor to ICOM and its members on security, fire protection and disaster preparedness. The objectives of ICMS are to provide education, training and assistance and to protect persons and cultural property from theft, vandalism, fire and destruction.
"ICMS has established working groups on physical security, technical security, fire safety, disaster preparedness, training, publications and rules. Committee members receive safety publications and newsletters. They can participate in annual meetings at which the international situation of museum security is discussed and analysed," she says.
But she notes that in addition to all this, each museum must have its own policy on these issues.
Hadjigavriel tells CNA that each activist believes in what he or she stands for, often with fanaticism and overzealousness. She expresses the view that it is not something that we as a society can ban, unless it interferes with human rights and the rules of international law.
"And for a state or a community to be able to intervene effectively, this fanaticism must challenge the public interest. That is why all these people are then brought to justice. But unfortunately not before the harm is done."
He also mentions that each museum has its own security protocols and proper staff should not be complacent and take for granted that every visitor is harmless. It must, he says, have proper security guards trained to anticipate and prevent harm.
"Unfortunately, many times they too become lax and as a result the instructions and training given to them are not followed. Therefore, the effectiveness of the guards, museum educators, etc. must be systematically monitored", she notes.
Ms. Hadjigavriel stresses that the key issue in the operation of a museum is to be able to contribute to the cultural formation and spiritual cultivation of its visitors.
"In Cyprus we have been trying for years to prepare tomorrow's citizens to love the history and culture of our country through educational programmes, starting from the age of kindergarten. So tomorrow's citizens will be more familiar with museums and their collections," he says.
At the same time, he says, series of events, lectures and even fashion shows, theatre performances and dance and music presentations help the public to understand and feel that a museum is a familiar place where they can spend their time pleasantly, browse the collections, listen and learn even more and, above all, understand that culture is here, in all its manifestations.
Unfortunately, he says, there are still people here in Cyprus who think that a visit to a museum is a waste of time, a pointless stroll through exhibits that do not interest them or that do not have the basic knowledge to appreciate them.
"Abroad, things are very different. For the general public, a Sunday morning or afternoon in a museum is a moment of pleasure that helps to overcome everyday difficulties, it is a place that heals the mind and the thinking. It is an opportunity for knowledge and relaxation."
Source: CNA
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