This discussion about Andrew Mellon, Warhol, etc. reminds me of the article
in the latest Lingua Franca on the Elgin Marbles, which are a frieze from
the Parthenon that the British seized in the 19th century. The Greeks want
it back, but the British refuse, implying that they knew how to take care
of them better than the "dagoes". They claim that they have become part of
British civilization and are powerful symbols of their ties to classical
Athenian democracy. Ironically, Lord Elgin who supervised the theft
destroyed their fine patina in the process of "cleaning" them. His wife
wrote that she was revulsed by their treatment.

I might just take a look at what Columbia University's libraries can turn
up on the whole question of museums. Something tells me that these sorts of
institutions should be dismantled after the capitalist system is
overthrown, and the contents returned to the rightful owners. It will be
part of a general move to genuine civilization, which will also include
sandblasting Mount Rushmore.





Louis Proyect

(http://www.panix.com/~lnp3/marxism.html)



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