North Pole Express

I spotted this mailbox the other day. It seems to have appeared out of no where. Santa must have delivered it in the early morning while everyone was asleep. Or perhaps the post office handles this? I'm unclear on this. In either case, I hope the letters to Santa arrive on time. 

On that note, I'll have to check on Christmas day to see if it is still there. What happens if it is? Do things posted after the 24th counts for the following year? I suppose that depends upon if you have been naughty or nice! 

Is it art? Or an accident?

While I was walking near the Farmer's Market in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor, I looked down and saw this.

So, the question is... Is this a piece of artwork or an incredibly beautiful accident? I'm inclined to believe that it is on purpose. 

It is really lovely up close. It's similar to a vine growing up a structure. Or perhaps a spinal chord gone mad? Or how about a replica of a lightning bolt?

In any case, it was a good find. You never know what is out there until to learn to look in unlikely places.

Ledger painting lost or worse fate?

It seems during transportation to another museum during remodeling of it's home, this painting by French Cubist Ferdnand Ledger has gone missing. 

While Wellsey College's Davis Museum was remodeling they loaned the painting to the Oklahoma City Art Museum. Somehow when it was returned it was misplaced and may have been thrown out. (!)

The museum has filed an insurance claim which has been paid but not disclosed. In fact they don't want to talk about it at all. Seems it is a bit embarrassing to realize that you may have thrown out a painting by an artist that fetches on average $2.8 MILLION dollars. 

Wow. How does that happen? Never underestimate the incompetence of the general public. I wouldn't talk about it either if this had happened under watch.

Guidelines Established to Prevent Stolen Art Acquisitions

Interestingly enough, this post follows the one about stolen artwork.

Museums are establishing guidelines that are designed to suppress the market for looted archaeological treasures. They are encouraged to establish their own clear collections policies and require documentation that new artifacts have not been illegally exported from their countries of origin. 

Many museums are already in compliance with the guidelines, said American Association of Museum President Ford Bell. "The harder thing will be looking at existing collections, which is a big job", he said. The ownership histories of antiquities and Nazi-era artwork are perhaps the hardest to determine. 

The new guidelines do not prevent anonymous donors, but they will be required to provide all available information on the artwork or artifact. 

Sounds like a good start to me!

Stolen Art: Is It Yours?

When William M.V. Kingsland, a threadbare eccentric and an amateur genealogist of the Upper East Side in New York, died in 2006, officials found an apartment full of stolen artwork, including works by Picasso, Copley, Fairfield and Giacometti. The F.B.I. continues to search for owners of more than 100 works of art. 

Here is a sampling of the work that was found. There are four first cousins and an uncle claiming to be relatives that would be happy to divvy up the proceeds from the pieces that he did own.

Hidden treasurer's

My neighbors recently remodeled their home and have incorporated a form of public art into the day to day use of their home. The archway has revolving art tucked into the open space. 

So far they have had a leprechaun and the bunny. They need other ideas, so I'm on the lookout for other hidden treasurer's for the unusual place.

The ever morphing rock sculpture

These rock and concrete sculptures are ever changing. Why? Because there is a war between the builder and the destroyer. 

They are just outside my office door and the builder recreates them after the destroyer tears them down. 

What on earth does the destroyer get out of this transaction? What does it say about a person who takes pleasure in demolishing the work of another? Sad commentary to be sure.

I'm keeping my eyes open to see who both of these folks are. A mystery to be solved! Stay tuned....