UNESCO Launches First Virtual Museum of Looted Cultural Objects
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By Tessa Solomon, Art News
On Monday, UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United Nations, launched the world’s first virtual museum of stolen cultural objects, which lists thousands of artifacts that can be viewed in 3D form.
The initiative was launched at UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development in Barcelona. The virtual museum was designed by the architect Francis Kéré in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). Funding for the project was provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
UNESCO said in a statement that the museum “was developed in response to the call of [UN] member states for a coordinated strategy to raise awareness on illicit trafficking.” The statement added that “UNESCO’s 1970 Convention calls on signatory states to combat the illicit trade in cultural property—a market that Interpol warns is increasingly dominated by organized criminal networks.”
Learn how the museum is organized.
Check out the Unesco Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Artifacts.
Check out our virtual exhibits.
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