The new Acropolis Museum, designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi opened last month in Athens with great enthusiasm from Greeks but also from the international art community. In the words of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the aim of the museum is "linking antiquity with the modern world of technology'' and the architecture itself reflects this ethos. The Museum indeed accommodates views of ongoing excavations of an ancient urban settlement with modern glass floors. (as seen on the image)
However one big issue which remains is the return (or not) of the Elgin Marbles, displayed at the British Museum in London. In 1801, sculptures and friezes that Phidias had designed in honour of the goddess Athena 25 centuries earlier were sawn off the Parthenon and about half the remaining marbles shipped to Britain. The legality of these actions by Lord Elgin have been under a hot debate for ages but it looks like this problem won't be solved easily. History can sometimes lead to tricky diplomatic situations. Professor Dimitris Pantermalis, president of the board of directors of the Acropolis Museum, who has been involved with the project of the new Acropolis Museum since the beginning declared that "It is not even a question of legality ; the unity of the marbles is a matter of culture and ethics."
What's the British Museum's view on the subject? "Our stance has always been that our collection should remain intact, so that the public can view the Elgin Marbles in the context of art from other great cultures,'' says Hannah Boulton for the British Museum.
Let's hope an agreement will be reached soon. The Museum looks amazing and I will have the chance to visit it in September.
To learn more: www.theacropolismuseum.gr
To learn more: www.theacropolismuseum.gr
