SAFE Hosts Lecture by Peter Watson Author of The Medici Conspiracy at New Yorks Chelsea Art Museum



SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone will offer the rare opportunity to view the dark side of the international art world through the eyes of an expert, Peter Watson. In his new book, The Medici Conspiracy (PublicAffairs, 2006), Mr. Watson describes the network that controls the illicit antiquities trade in Italy.

EVENT: Lecture by Peter Watson        
DATE/TIME: November 16, 2006 at 6:00 pm
LOCATION: Chelsea Art Museum, 556 West 22nd St, NYC       
TICKETS: $15.00 (adults) and $8.00 (students) including museum admission

In his first US public appearance discussing The Medici Conspiracy, Mr. Watson will read from the book and describe the decade-long investigation that led to the sensational trial now proceeding in Rome. The return of looted and suspect antiquities to Italy by the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston will also be discussed. As Mr. Watson will explain, this story is far from over.

A former investigative journalist for the London Sunday Times and author of two previous art world exposés, Peter Watson has also written for The New York Times, the Observer
and the Spectator. Now a Research Associate at the Illicit Antiquities Research Centre, at the McDonald Institute for Archeological Research at the University of Cambridge, Mr. Watson has been featured in the US on Public Radio International and the CBS-TV's8217;s 's8220;60 Minutes.'s8221;

's8220;We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Mr. Watson to raise awareness about these issues with this important book,'s8221;said SAFE Founder and President Cindy Ho.

EVENT DETAILS
SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone will host Peter Watson, in his first New York public appearance discussing The Medici Conspiracy at the Chelsea Art Museum, 556 West 22nd Street in New York. Lecture begins promptly at 6:00pm. Mr. Watson will sign copies of The Medici Conspiracy, which will be available at the event. Tickets are $15.00 (adults) and $8.00 (students) including museum admission, available at www.savingantiquities.org.

Following the lecture, SAFE will host the first annual Beacon Awards gala benefit honoring the authors of three important books that have cast new light on the problem of looting and cultural heritage destruction: Peter Watson for The Medici Conspiracy (2006), Matthew Bogdanos for Thieves of Baghdad (2005) and Roger Atwood for Stealing History (2004).

ABOUT SAFE
SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone, Inc. creates educational programs and media campaigns to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage world-wide. SAFE is a coalition of professionals in communications, media, and advertising working alongside experts in the academic, legal and law enforcement communities. SAFE has no political affiliations.





SAFE Hosts Lecture by Peter Watson Author of The Medici Conspiracy at New Yorks Chelsea Art Museum