
That of course is our guest today, author Erin L. Why do we care so much about statues? And who gets to decide which ones should stay up and which should come down? American holds thousands of historical monuments… Some people risk imprisonment to tear down long-ignored hunks of marble others form armed patrols to defend them.

More details are found on our website and at Smithsonian Associates with links in our show notes.Ī timely and fractious national debate over public monuments has erupted in America. Thompson’s new book Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments and her upcoming presentation at Smithsonian Associates are the subject of our conversation today. Thompson studies the black market for looted antiquities, art forgery, museum theft, and the ethics of digital reproductions of US cultural heritage.ĭr. As America’s only professor of art crime, Dr.

Erin Thompson, is a professor of art crime at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is a leading expert in the legal, political, and social issues involved in such battles. I’m Paul Vogelzang and we have a wonderful episode today with Smithsonian Associate, Dr. Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and podcast. The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series
