Art is a profitable commodity and always has been. But this is not an art auction at Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Brandeis is a reputable academic institution, and its art museum, much like Vassar’s Frances Lehman Loeb Art Gallery, is an indispensable resource for students, professors and members of the community. Furthermore, the Rose Art Museum has always supported itself by raising its own funds independently of the University. It prides itself on works of art from private donors, to many of whom the plan to close the museum was seen as a bald-faced insult.

[...] The Trustees are robbing the Brandeis community of a significant resource, and they’re tainting the University’s reputation in the process. Instead of cutting costs in multiple areas of the University, the trustees are striking a blow solely to the visual arts, compromising Brandeis’ reputation and credibility as a higher learning institution. Even if the Trustees were to re-open the museum in the future, under better economic conditions, who would donate to it, now that its reputation has been sacrificed?

The imperativeness of appreciating the resources available to us as students of the liberal arts is reinforced by Brandeis’ abrupt decision to close its art museum. Being able to study in an environment that values cultural exploration and resources is a luxury, not an entitlement. In a declining economy, nothing is certain and nothing can be taken for granted—least of all art.

Read Gabrielle’s full article at the Miscellany News website.
For more information on this topic, see the most recent article in the NY Times, which reports that the building will “remain open as a teaching and studio facility;” Tyler Green’s Q&A with Michael Rush, Rose Art Museum director; as well as CultureGrrl’s wrap-up of the responses to the incident.

News from Artforum.com

It seems that Amy Sedaris’ beloved Chagall (about which she talks with impressive scholarly fervor — rock on, Amy Sedaris) was stolen from her house after a wild party for ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ in 2001.  Missing since then, it was discovered in original SNL cast member Jane Curtin’s daughter’s apartment.  Apparently, it was given to Jane Curtin by Chevy Chase, who apparently stole it at said party.  An annoyed Jane Curtin said she had no idea it was stolen, but “now that I think about it, it doesn’t surprise me. Chevy and I were never that close — but I never thought he’d try to set me up.”  Meanwhile Amy Sedaris can’t remember that he was even at the party, although she’s certainly happy to have it back.

The whole thing feels more than a little fishy to me, and there seem to be some key parts missing (what did Chevy Chase have to say about this…?) — but who knows.  Just goes to show you art crime is happening even on the celebrity level…

Original article at PR-Inside.com

The posts begin with ‘The Hidden Collection‘, followed by last week’s ‘Animals’ and this week’s ‘Tabletops‘.  Image above from the New York Times website.