The Treasures of Tutankhamen shown at the British Museum, which set a still unbeaten record for attendance figures at a public exhibition (1,694,117), was almost cancelled because a film company threatened to turn into a tomb raider. Foreign Office files deposited in the Public Record Office reveal the Egyptian government sought parliamentary legislation guaranteeing diplomatic immunity to the display of Pharaonic gold artefacts in case an obscure legal action over pirated television film rights was revived. Unless Whitehall promised financial indemnity, Cairo warned, the funerary objects discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings in 1922 would not be allowed to travel to London. They were insured for more than £9m. "We were on the point of agreeing the text of the intergovernmental [accord] covering the exhibition when [the Egyptian] senior legal adviser called... attention to a court order... putting a distraint on Egyptian government property in this country including antiquities," records an internal FCO memo in June 1971. The Foreign Office attempted to reassure the Egyptian authorities, saying it was unlikely the treasures would be seized by a British court. "After investigation we found the court order had been issued by a Swiss court, although... the plaintiff hoped to take action in the British courts on the basis of the Swiss decision." The claim, it emerged, was for $25m in damages allegedly owed to a film distribution company. A British embassy official in Paris was sent to meet the aggrieved film mogul, Sam Bichara, vice-president of Cinetel International Television. The legal dispute was so ancient it was nearly mummified. "In 1963," the British diplomat noted, "an agreement was signed with Egyptian TV authorities to supply 5,000 hours of viewing a year. Films were supplied but [Cairo] made only token payments. [The] Egyptians are said to be using the nationalised Kodak laboratories to make copies for sale to other Arab countries." At one stage, "Cinetel agreed to accept $1m if it was given in 15 days". But the deal was never completed. "Some two weeks later it was found the money had disappeared, presumably into the pockets of one or more of the ministers," the diplomat speculated. Cairo was anxious not to face the claim. Ibrahim Shihata, an Egyptian professor of international law, was dispatched to London to obtain assurances. His first request was for an Act of Parliament but he was told it would take too long. In the end, the Treasury agreed to indemnify the Treasures of Tutankhamen. A handwritten comment on the last note in the FCO file betrays one official's exasperation: "I think this should prove to be the last hurdle. I certainly hope so."
Enron's Collapse Affects Houston Art Scene
Thousands of Enron employees were laid off when the company collapsed in December, but the corporation's collapse has also taken a toll on Houston's art scene.
One of the areas most affected by the collapse is Houston's Museum of Fine Arts.
From 1985 until 2000, Enron gave $1.5 million to the museum.
Museum finance director Gwen Goffe said that Enron was a big contributor to the museum and sponsored major exhibitions and led fund drives. Now, all they leave is a financial void the museum must fill. "We hope other companies here in Houston would learn from their example and pick up the mantle and make contributions to the museum, so that we can all enjoy the fine exhibitions that are here," Goffe said. The good news is that Enron was not scheduled to sponsor any major upcoming events at the museum and therefore, nothing had to be canceled. In June, Tropical Storm Allison flooded Jones Hall where the Houston Symphony plays. Enron quickly came to the orchestra's rescue. Ann Kennedy from the Houston Symphony said that had Enron not come to their rescue, they would not have returned as quickly to their offices. Enron provided downtown office space and equipment for free, allowing the symphony to get back on its feet. The symphony hopes that they will be able to stay in Enron's offices until they're able to move back into Jones Hall, but the future is uncertain as inquiries into the company continue. The collapse of Enron will also affect Houston's art community. Before filing for bankruptcy, the company was buying rare works of contemporary art for display in its new downtown office building. Now, that collection will likely be sold. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/
Philly Fire Blamed on Wiring
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities said an electrical problem sparked a New Year's Day fire that damaged the main building of the city's historic Fairmount Waterworks, which had recently undergone a multimillion-dollar restoration. Executive Fire Chief William Brightcliffe said Tuesday's blaze in the engine house was caused by a ``breakdown in the electrical wiring to a ceiling light fixture.'' The building sits on the Schuylkill River behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The $27 million renovation project was completed in September, and the Fairmount Park Commission had planned to open a 160-seat restaurant in the engine house this spring. The historic waterworks was decommissioned in 1909. When built in 1815, the Waterworks was considered the most advanced municipal water system in the world.
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Tuesday January 1 8:51 PM ET
(PA) Fire Damages Historic Pa. Building
By MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press Writer http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20020101/us/waterworks_fire_3.html PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A New Year's Day fire damaged the main building of the city's historic Fairmount Waterworks, which had recently undergone a multimillion-dollar restoration. The fire, of unknown origin, broke out at 10 a.m. and was brought under control about 21/2 hours later.
The building sits in Fairmount Park, on the Schuylkill River behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Park director William E. Mifflin called the fire heartbreaking. ``It's a sad day,'' he said. ``Let's hope that we can recover as quickly as possible and go back to our original plans, but, clearly, it's tough for me to visualize anything at this time.'' After decades of discussion, the $27 million renovation project was completed in September, and the Fairmount Park Commission had planned to open a 160-seat restaurant in the old mill house this spring. When built in 1815, the Waterworks was considered both the most advanced municipal water system in the world and an elegant addition to the city's architecture.
The buildings were styled after classical Greek and Roman temples, while the system to deliver water to the city helped spur its industrial growth.
The Waterworks was shut down in 1915.
The extent of the fire damage was not immediately known, but there appeared to be no structural damage, Mifflin said. The building was vacant and no injuries were reported. January 01, 2002
Egyptian antiquities law enforced by American courts
The American judiciary decided to enforce the Egyptian antiquities law in the Americn courts. The Egyptian law will be the first foreign law to be enforced by the American courts inside the United States. A ruling was issued this week to accept the case of smuggling Egyptian antiquities in which Frederick Shultz, an American national, was charged of breaking the Egyptian laws. Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni said that the verdict was issued after intensive efforts by Egypt and also as a result of the American side's understanding of the Egyptian antiquities law. http://www.uk.sis.gov.eg
The Art Newspaper.com http://www.theartnewspaper.com
TOP MUSEUMS FACE CLAIMS FOR DÜRERS
LONDON. Twelve major museums in Europe and North America are resisting claims for the return of Dürer drawings which were looted during World War II from the Lubomirski Museum in Lviv, a city previously in Poland and now in the Ukraine. http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/article.asp?idart=8490