The Artsy Podcast, No. 9: When Art Thefts Go Wrong
Artsy’s team of editors takes you behind the scenes of the best stories in art.
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Politics are everywhere—something this particularly contentious election cycle often reminds us. And as the debate rages over who should be the next president, issues far broader than the binary choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are being surfaced. As artists look to interact with this political dialogue, we examine several projects and artworks that have cropped up in the news. From a collective who erected a portion of Trump’s infamous wall to the artist-run super PAC “For Freedoms,” we discuss how art can engage with politics in meaningful ways.
Next up, we explore the complicated world of art thievery. Although these crimes often make headlines when the stolen work is a multi-million-dollar masterpiece lifted from a major institution, thieves are more successful when they target a lesser-known work in the hands of a private collector. According to the FBI, art theft is a billion-dollar industry, with tens of thousands of works going missing each year. We take a look at the facts and figures. And we discuss the many ways a museum heist can go wrong: think a politically-minded criminal stealing a painting in pursuit of world peace.
This podcast is hosted by Artsy Editorial Associate Isaac Kaplan, joined for this edition by Deputy Editor Alexander Forbes and Editorial Associate Abigail Cain. It was produced by Joe Sykes.
Intro Music: “Something Elated” by Broke For Free
