MINISTERS’ DEPUTIES

CM Documents

CM(2021)28

22 February 2021[1]

1397th meeting, 3 March 2021 11 Programme, Budget and Administration   11.1 Committee for Works of Art (C-ART) Report by the Chair of the C-ART

 

1.            Opening of the meeting by the Chair

The meeting was opened by Ambassador Corina Călugăru, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova, appointed Chair of the Committee for Works of Art (C-ART) by the Committee of Ministers[2] among its two members, Permanent Representatives, on 3 February 2021. 

2.            “Tour de table”

The C-ART members presented themselves: Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Permanent Representative of France, Lady Diana Eccles (representing the Parliamentary Assembly pending the appointment of two representatives), Mr Benno Kilian, Deputy Director of the Secretary General’s Private Office and Mr Michael Siffert, Director of General Services (both representing the Secretary General). Ms Penelope Denu presented her role as Secretary, underlining the importance of associating the Private Office, General Services and Protocol in all issues relating to the C-ART and gifts to the Council of Europe, in order for activities to be organised efficiently and successfully.

3.            Introduction

In view of the majority of new members, the Secretary gave a brief introduction to the Committee for Works of Art and its functioning, with reference to the Rules. The public health situation had meant that no gifts had been presented since that of the Republic of Moldova presented during a ceremony at the PACE winter session on 28 January 2020.

Gifts

4.            Proposed new gift by Germany

To celebrate the 70^th anniversary of membership of the Council of Europe and its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, Germany had proposed to offer the gift of a “Berlin Buddy Bear” sculpture, designed by a Roma[3] graphic, video and action artist, Alfred Ullrich, the son of a Holocaust survivor. The proposal was to have the Buddy Bear placed in an exterior location, at the entrance of the European Youth Centre, and to organise a ceremony on 2 May 2021 (date of accession) or during the PACE April session.

In reply to questions from members, the Committee was informed that the technical and practical aspects of installing and protecting the gift could be undertaken with no foreseeable difficulty – the materials used were sufficiently resistant to weather conditions, and the video-surveillance system at the Youth Centre would, in principle, prevent intentional damage. An agreement would be drawn up with the German Permanent Representation concerning the gift, its placement and its maintenance.

Members of the Committee considered the gift appropriate, welcoming the symbolic dimension added by the personality of the artist, the building chosen for its placement, as well as its positive, “optimistic” aesthetic. They agreed unanimously to recommend to the Committee of Ministers to accept it and to ask the competent staff to arrange the installation and gift ceremony.

5.            Proposed resumption of the workings of the sculpture, gift of Germany “Wasserwald”

Following a proposal in 2018 to the Permanent Representation of Germany to assume the cost of the running and maintenance of the water sculpture “Wasserwald”,[4] as the Council of Europe was at the time not in a position to assume the cost, the sculpture was de-activated. It is now proposed to resume its functioning. The Director of General Services confirmed the proposal, which was welcomed by members. If possible, the work would be re-activated for the PACE (hybrid) Spring session.

Updates

6.            Damage to the Portuguese ceramic fresco at the Youth Centre

On 28 December 2020, a number of tiles fell from the wall supporting the Portuguese fresco at the European Youth Centre, entitled “Discovery of the New World”, by Lima de Freitas.[5] The remining tiles had been removed and stored, but many were damaged and cracked. The Portuguese Permanent Representation had been asked whether there was a possibility that national experts could repair the tiles, although the damage appeared to technical services extremely extensive. The Committee would be informed of the outcome.

7.            Possible renovation of the Berlin wall blocks, gift of Germany

The artwork on the four Berlin Wall blocks situated outside the European Court of Human Rights[6] had faded with time since the gift was presented in 1990. The Committee was invited to discuss the suitability of renovation and expressed different viewpoints, between the wish to see the artwork restored or to leave time “to do its work”. The secretariat was asked to inquire further into what was being done with similar artworks, especially other Berlin Wall blocks located around Europe, and the Committee would come back to this issue later. One member asked that the original agreements with countries be provided with the information for meetings, when this was appropriate.

8.            Discussion²

Members discussed possible activities of the C-ART, for instance a new catalogue of artworks with texts provided by ambassadors about their country’s gifts, which could be financed by voluntary contributions.

9.            Other business / points divers

None.

Next meeting: the Chair would decide on the date of the next meeting according to items arising.