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The
exhibition of “Forgotten Empire: the World of Ancient
Persia” being held in the British Museum until 8 January
2006 has evoked a huge amount of praise as well as some
critiques.
Aydin Aqdashlou, a noble Iranian expert of fine arts, has
criticized the exhibition after visiting it with regard to
overlooking objects from the era that could have been
displayed from Reza Abbasi and Isfahan Museums.
Accepting the objections raised by Aqdashlou, Mohammad
Reza Kargar, director of Iran’s National Museum,
explained to Parseh Weekly that the exhibition is a vast
one even with its current collection of 450 items which
include some of the most important invaluable remains of
the era on loan from Louvre, Iran’s National Museum or
from the British Museum itself.
“This collaboration between the three museums is an
epoch [in museum relations] and many of the presented
items are shown for the first time ever,” he said,
noting that Aqdashlou too has praised the exhibition in
this regard.
Aqdashlou has pointed out to items belonging to private
collections, Kerman, and Reza Abbasi Museums that should
have been displayed in the British Museum, but Kargar
mentioned the subject of the Achaemenid Empire as an
extensive one, explaining that no matter how vast the
exhibition is, there would however be some objects left
outside.
“The current installation of the artifacts in the museum
informs that there is not enough space even for the works
displayed. Besides, another factor regarded for the
selection of the objects was to focus the exhibition on
artifacts which were excavated with scientific methods,”
he indicated.
Many of the Achaemenid artifacts, especially those of Reza
Abbasi Museum were excluded for the same reason. Some of
the objects were also excluded based on opinions of some
experts of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Organization.
“Critics of the collection should be aware that we
prepared to send some of the objects to the exhibition
while many accused us of transferring the invaluable
ancient relics of Iran’s National Museum abroad, and
others of taking a great risk in doing so,” explained
Kargar, adding, “I accept that there were more
invaluable objects that could have been displayed, and for
instance, it would have been much better if we had taken
both pieces of paired objects, for example earrings,
bracelets, etc. because one single piece fails to present
the function of the object and the symmetrical
observations of the Achaemenid art, but let’s regard the
limitations which we confronted during the preparation of
the collection.”
Kargar thanked, however, experts for sympathetic
criticisms and explained that many have criticized the
exhibition from artistic, historical perspectives, while
the organizers’ focus has been on the scientific methods
which were used in the excavation of the artifacts.
Pointing out to the huge amount of international feedbacks
about the event, he announced that the exhibition will go
to Barcelona, Spain and then to Japan after the British
Museum display. The future exhibition in Japan will
showcase 300 objects and will be held in five cities. The
event is supported by Japan’s Emperor.
Besides cultural benefits, such loans can provide Iranian
museums with financial benefits. The British Museum is to
give Iran 100,000 Pounds for the loan of the artifacts and
Japan’s exhibition will provide further $300,000 for
Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.
“Iran’s National Museum income through loaning objects
has been more than a million dollar in four years which
can be considered a great achievement,” Kargar noted.
He, moreover, maintained that all costs, including
transfer, publication of the catalogue, and insurance, are
covered by the foreign country; the Iranian museum will be
given a share of the published catalogues; and Iran has
the right to loan artifacts from the host museum
collection.
Replying to a question about an Iranian ancient artifact
gone missing in a Belgian museum, Kargar said, “Three
years ago, during the exhibition of 8000 years of Iranian
art which was held in eight European countries for a
five-year period, a bronze clip was lost. The Belgian
government accepted all the responsibilities and paid the
indemnity. Interpol is still pursuing the case and we hope
to find it as soon as possible.”
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