British Museum
Checking out the British Museum, its controversial pieces, and clueless humans who can’t keep their hands to themselves.
One of the things that bummed us out the most since moving to London this year amid the COVID-19 lockdown was the closure of museums. We’re absolute dorks for museums, so we signed up for wait lists and made reservations when we could to see sites like the British Museum.
While we’re always enthusiastic to see important cultural sites and events, we were also quite aware of the British Museum - as well as other Museums around the world - and their most contentious “acquisitions.” The following videos are separated by section and include where those pieces are located.
Egyptian & Assyrian Art Section
Before we entered the main hall of the Egyptian section and spotted the actual Rosetta Stone, a raging museum employee snapped at me as I had my GoPro on a stick.
“NO SELFIE STICKS ALLOWED!”
Um, okay. I put it away. It wasn’t a big deal. I was able to retract it and hold it through my sleeve, keeping the main camera peeking out from my palm without it being a pain in the ass.
However, no one said shit to the children and adult visitors rubbing their grubby hands all over ancient statues that clearly had signs and symbols indicating not to touch the ancient artifacts. I looked over and grimaced at the museum employees who pretended not to notice. Thank you for your service.
I was half-tempted to bust out the camera stick to see if people would snap yet again at the one Micronesian in the museum - and not the people putting their actual hands on tombs, statues, and art that are literally thousands of years old. But I didn’t.
However, we were extra loud in expressing how stupid people were for touching ancient history with their nasty ass hands amid a pandemic as we passed by.
Controversial Pieces:
Rosetta Stone (Egypt)
And the 100,000 other Egyptian artifacts that are only partly on display (Egypt)
Greek & Roman Art Section
The Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum take up a significant portion of the museum space and in the video above, you can see why. Essentially, some rich asshole wanted to take Greek history back to the UK as a trophy and literally chipped the Parthenon into pieces, which are on display without any sense of remorse.
Controversial Pieces:
The ENTIRE Parthenon section (Greece)
Publius Licinius Philonicus & Publius Licinius Demetrius marble relief (Italy)
African Art Section
We had our reservations to see the British Museum the same day that Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away - and the timing was not lost on us. While viewing the highly contested Benin Bronzes, I couldn’t help but think of Michael B. Jordan’s character, Erik Killmonger, in the museum scene.
This scene has undoubtedly raised more awareness on the restitution of stolen African Art in museums around the world. As described in Black Panther, the Benin Bronzes in the British Museum were, in fact, stolen by British soldiers in Benin and Nigeria is fighting to get them back. Holding onto the Benin Bronzes is a legit colonizer move.
Controversial Pieces:
Benin Bronzes (Nigeria)
Ethiopian Tabots (Ethiopia)
Asian Art Section
While the entire upper level of the museum - Asian Art - was closed off due to COVID-19 restrictions and the museum gradually opening, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include these pieces as food for thought.
Controversial Pieces:
Bronze sculpture of Hindu God Shiva (India)
Harihara Sandstone (India)
Shiva and Parvati sculpture (India)
Relief from the Great Shrine at Amaravathi (India)
Dunhuang manuscripts (China)
Achaemenid empire gold and silver artefacts (Tajikistan)
American Art Section
Are there any pieces to mention? I’m not entirely sure and awaiting more answers. As soon as I find out, I’ll be sure to update this post.
Pacific Island Art Section
An Easter Island sculpture, Hoa Hakananai'a – claimed by Chile on behalf of Easter Island is located at the entry of the Pacific Islands/Oceania section of the museum. You can see it in the beginning of the video above. Additionally, the Gweagal Shield has sparked controversy for its method of acquisition. Other pieces on display and their acquisition from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia are being queried.
Controversial Pieces:
Hoa Hakananai'a (Easter Island/Rapa Nui - claimed by Chile)
Gweagal Shield (Australia & Solomon Islands)
Don’t get me wrong, I love museums. They consolidate and promote the beauty of international cultures and all that makes humanity wonderful. But the sentiment and purpose is tainted when these beloved works of art and genius are stolen and displayed without any sense of introspection or empathy.
In addition to museum ethics and restitution, the employees at the British Museum would do well to not only screech like barn owls about camera and selfie sticks, but to unleash their harpy-like wrath at the rest of the visitors of all ages behaving like absolute pieces of shit by putting their hands and bodies all over ancient history.
Because it’s one thing to sit on an Egyptian lion statue that’s thousands of years old - I got to witness a FAMILY do this - the British Museum is also rubbing its ass on human history by boasting stolen goods as mere Imperialist war trophies.
If I missed any controversial pieces, feel free to reach out and let me know. Also, if you’d like to read more about Uncomfortable Art Tours, check this out.
