Detroit— An art collection worth millions, including a silkscreen by the late pop artist Andy Warhol, has been stolen, triggering a hunt by FBI agents, who fear international thieves have sent the missing masterpieces overseas.
The 19 works, including pieces by notable 20th century contemporary artists, disappeared sometime between April 27 and 29 from an undisclosed Corktown business, an FBI spokesman said Tuesday.
Members of Metro Detroit's art community reacted with shock and derision that the treasure trove was stashed in the bohemian yet blighted neighborhood — and that the collection was uninsured.
"I have some Warhols, but I don't keep them in my building," said Farmington Hills tax attorney and noted art collector Richard Rollins, who owns a lofts building on Brooklyn in Corktown. "I don't think anyone should have a serious collection in Corktown."
The crime is the latest in a string of art heists across Metro Detroit in recent years, mirroring the spike in art prices, which has drawn the attention of collectors and criminals.
The theft sparked a guessing game Tuesday about the mysterious collector's identity, which was not disclosed by the FBI.
The FBI also did not say where the 19 pieces were stored but said the artwork was not on display or locked away.
The pieces have been entered into a national database of stolen artwork. A $5,000 reward is being offered for the return of the art, which includes a "Flowers" silkscreen by Warhol and works by Larry Rivers, Francesco Clemente, Philip Taaffe, Joseph Beuys and Peter Schuyff.
"We believe this artwork may have been transported out of Detroit, the state and possibly the country," FBI spokesman Simon Shaykhet said.
There was speculation the artwork belonged to Rollins, the Corktown property owner.
Not true, he said.
The owner might be an unassuming type.
"There are unknown collectors, people who are not wealthy who over the years have had a good eye and were at the right spot to collect," he said. "You never hear about them until the art is stolen."
Xavier Slade owns a store on the fringe of Corktown that sells 20th century furniture and art. He was not surprised to learn Corktown housed a valuable art collection.
"This is a pretty wild area and there's a lot of different people who live there," Slade said. "It wouldn't surprise me if there were Warhols down there. I would not be surprised if there were masterpieces all over the city."
As much as $6 billion in art is stolen each year, according to the FBI.
Although about 10 percent of all stolen property eventually is recovered, the rate of recovery is much higher — about 90 percent — for individual artwork, said Robert Wittman, who founded the FBI's National Art Crime Team.
"That's why art theft is a ridiculous crime," Wittman said.
"In the end, the pieces always come back to market one way or another."
Art thefts are on the rise, mirroring escalating prices fetched at art auctions. Earlier this month, Edvard Munch's "The Scream" sold for a record $119,922,500 at auction in New York City.
"It's hard to identify art," Wittman said.
"If you're trying to move money across borders, or gold or drugs, it's all contraband — you can't just do it. Art on the other hand is not. It's so easily movable."
There have been a few high-profile art thefts in Metro Detroit.
In April 2000, someone made off with a 400-pound priceless bronze Sunglitter statue from Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Bloomfield Hills. The statue, which depicts a sea nymph riding a dolphin, was sculpted in 1918 by the late Carl Milles, an internationally known artist who was an artist in residence at Cranbrook until 1951.
The sculpture is still missing, said Gregory Wittkopp, director of the Cranbrook Art Museum.
"It's a piece that really couldn't ever be sold publicly without people knowing about it," he said Tuesday.
"Presumably, it's in somebody's private collection."
The FBI is asking anyone with knowledge about the thefts to call (313) 965-2323.
(313) 222-2028
Source: www.detroitnews.com
Longest-running local car show set for June 3 - Times Herald-Record
ROCK HILL — On June 3, antique and classic car owners from all over the region will gather at the Rock Hill Firehouse at 61 Glen Wild Road in Rock Hill to show their antique and classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors at the Catskill Region Antique Automobile Club of America 49th annual Spring Meet Antique Classic Custom Car Show & Flea Market.
The gates will open at 9 a.m. A preregistration fee of $8 is being accepted if paid by Thursday. Registration is $12 day of show.
Registration is from 9 a.m.-noon, and fire extinguishers are required. Dash plaques will be handed out to the first 100 entrants, and a $100 cash prize will be awarded for Best of Show. Visitors are asked to help fill Hank's truck with nonperishable food items for the Thompson Food Pantry. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by the Rock Hill Fire Department.
This is the longest running and largest car show in Sullivan County. Food is provided by the Rock Hill firefighters. Also featured are a flea market and DJ Eric Bressi's Elvis show. Call 932-8923 or visit www.catskillregionaaca.org for more information.
The Catskill Region Antique Automobile Club of America brings together old-car enthusiasts to share all facets of the old-car hobby. The club uses profits from the car show to help fund the BOCES scholarship program and other charitable causes.
The club meets at 5:30 p.m. to eat, 6:30 p.m. to meet on the first Monday of every month at Pizza Hut in Liberty. Love of cars is a must; ownership is not. Call Vicky at 932-8923.
Source: www.recordonline.com
Reclaimed and One of a Kind Antique Furniture in Edmonto - PR.com
With the opening of the store only in September of 2011, The Seven Drawers is now bringing in an extensive array of the very different style of reclaimed and plantation grown pieces as well as Chinese and Indian Antique items (one-of-a-kinds). These pieces include 160 year old Elm doors from China which are made into coffee tables. None of these are alike with bolts on the top and some have metal strapping and the door handles still in place.
"Our guests have been very excited to be able to order in these very unique pieces with the guarantee if they are not satisfied with the item, they can receive a full refund," said owner/operator Beverly Braaksma. "Everyone wants something totally unique, a piece they’ve picked out for a specific area and they will adore for years to come."
From designer pieces to all the reclaimed, plantation and antique furniture, The Seven Drawers is a haven for Edmonton’s desire to have something totally unique and enviro-friendly in their homes.
See the website sevendrawers.com/reclaimed/reclaimed.html
Source: www.pr.com
No comments:
Post a Comment