Flagship national treasure to debut at New York exhibition

Korea has given a green light to the exhibition of Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang (gilt-bronze statue of Maitreya seated in meditation), National Treasure No. 83, at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art of Art after heated debate. The Cultural Heritages Administration, which chose to block the overseas shipment of the cultural masterpiece last month, has withdrawn its decision 11 days later, to allow its debut in the U.S. city.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry said Friday that “The Cultural Heritages Administration additionally approved overseas shipment of Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang to allow its showcase at the overseas exhibition co-hosted by the National Museum of Korea and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.”

“As the two museums earnestly asked for approval of the statue’s exhibition under the condition that they put top priority on the safety of the exhibits in the process of packaging and shipment, we arbitrated the deal,” the ministry said. “Even though preservation and management of cultural properties is most important, the Cultural Heritage Administration accepted the request through a broad-based perspective, by taking into consideration that the special exhibition would be a great opportunity to promote Korea’s cultural heritages.”

Byun Young-sup, administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, had been constantly expressing her objection to including Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang in the list of items to be displayed at the special exhibition dubbed, “Shilla, the Kingdom of Gold,” which is set to take place at the museum in New York from October 29. She opposed the bid due to concern over the statue’s possible damage because the statue had been exhibited overseas for 3,000 days on eight occasions thus far.

The Cultural Heritage Committee, the advisory body to the Cultural Heritage Administration, gave conditional approval for its exhibition in New York, including preparation of additional documents, in April. But the latter construed the approval as meaning that its chief could adjust the list of exhibits, and made a final decision to deny the shipment of three national treasures, including the statue, on July 29.

As a result, critics accused the Cultural Heritage Administration of rejecting decision made by the committee for the first time ever. Moreover, Metropolitan Museum Director Tom Campbell was found to have sent a letter to President Park Geun-hye and issued a statement, which was publicized belatedly, shifting the mood rather drastically. Campbell sent President Park a letter asking for approval of the statue’s exhibition before the final decision was made. Subsequently, the presidential office and the ministry requested the Cultural Property Administration to reconsider, but the latter reportedly insisted on its earlier stance. On August 1, Campbell issued a statement, saying “I am hugely disappointed. We will reconsider whether to push ahead with the exhibition.” In the wake of mounting backlash, Byun backed off and decided to accept the renewed requests by the two museums.

The National Museum of Korea welcomed the decision. “It is fortunately that Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang, ‘the face’ of the special exhibition that we have been preparing since 2008, will make it to the exhibition,” a source at the museum said. “We will make every effort to ensure the safety of our cultural heritages.”