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Looted antiquities seized from the Met.
Jewels stolen from the Louvre.
Paintings reported “missing” from the Frida Kahlo Museum
The authenticity of Rubens’ “Samson and Delilah” questioned—again!
These scandals from just the last year underscore the murky nature of the art world. During this four-week class we will consider why the art world turns a blind eye to cultural theft and fake artworks. We will look at complex stories about art heists; artists who create fakes; and the dealers, galleries, collectors, and museums who buy, display, and sell looted objects. We’ll also reflect on the impact of fakes and looting on the world’s cultural heritage.
Ruby Ming aims to provoke unconventional connections to the arts across cultures, time, and technology. She has implemented family, school, and public programs for Montalvo Arts Center and Oakland Museum of California, as well as other organizations, and presented workshops for educators about arts integration for the National and the California Art Education Associations, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, and San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. She received her B.A. in Fine Arts from Brown University and her M.A. in Museum Studies from SFSU, where she was an adjunct lecturer teaching undergraduates about museum history and administration.
