Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Art of the Steal

We haven't referred to films much on this blog, but a new film is on the horizon that is all about the post mortem effectiveness of a will.  From the blurb:
In 1922, Dr. Albert C. Barnes formed a remarkable educational institution around his priceless collection of art, located just five miles outside of Philadelphia. Now, more than 50 years after Barnes’ death, a powerful group of moneyed interests have gone to court for control of the art, and intend to bring it to a new museum in Philadelphia. Standing in their way is a group of Barnes’ former students and his will, which contains strict instructions stating the Foundation should always be an educational institution, and that the paintings may never be removed. Will they succeed, or will a man’s will be broken and one of America’s greatest cultural monuments be destroyed?
Trailer for The Art of the Steal is here.  The filmmakers do not appear to be sympathetic to the notion of moving the art collection.  More background, including noteworthy Barnes Foundation holdings, at Wikipedia here.

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