Title: Looty Collective Digitally Repatriates the Rosetta Stone, Challenging Colonial Narratives
Subtitle: London-based designers use augmented reality to virtually reclaim stolen artifacts from Western museums
Date: [Insert Date]
London, UK – Looty, a collective of London-based designers, is set to digitally repatriate the iconic Rosetta Stone to its origins in Egypt. Through an innovative augmented reality installation at Fort Qaitbay in Rashid, visitors will be able to experience the stone’s historical significance and witness its return to its homeland – albeit virtually.
Founded in 2021 by Chidirim Nwaubani and Ahmed Abokor, Looty takes on the mission of virtually reclaiming stolen artifacts that were plundered from former colonies during the colonial era. Named after Queen Victoria’s Pekingese dog, Looty aims to provide three-dimensional replicas and knowledge of stolen treasures to people from former colonies who are unable to travel to Western museums. By doing so, they seek to challenge Western museums’ monopoly over the narrative and present a more comprehensive picture of history.
Nwaubani, who recently visited the British Museum, expressed his discomfort with the exhibition of the Rosetta Stone and other artifacts from Egypt. He believes these relics serve as reminders of war, defeat, and colonialism. Nwaubani asserts that the incomplete descriptions provided by Western museums diminish the cultural significance of the antiquities, which were originally intended for royal, religious, or ritual purposes, not for display in a vitrine. He views this as a denial of agency for young people of African descent, who are unable to shape the narrative of their own history.
To address this issue, the digital repatriation initiative uses augmented reality to create high-definition replicas of looted treasures. By shifting the focus to the digital space, Looty aims to challenge the absence of regulations in this domain, which allows for a freer interpretation and presentation of cultural heritage. By doing so, they hope to provide a more inclusive platform for exploring and sharing cultural artifacts.
Looty is part of a growing movement of young activists, artists, and academics of African descent who are taking restitution into their own hands. By digitally capturing their heritage and showcasing replicas in the metaverse, international exhibitions, and the countries of origin, they aim to redefine the concept of restitution. Their actions challenge the slow pace at which museums often operate and emphasize the importance of agency in the restitution process.
The Rosetta Stone, a fragment with inscriptions in three different scripts, played a pivotal role in deciphering hieroglyphs and the birth of Egyptology as a discipline. Discovered in 1799 during Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt, the stone eventually ended up in the hands of the British after France’s defeat. Looty’s action supports the Repatriate Rashid campaign in Egypt, which claims the stone was illegally seized during war and should be returned.
While the Egyptian government has made restitution requests in the past, little progress has been made in reclaiming the numerous artifacts currently held in Western museums. The digital installation in Rashid aims to engage Egyptians by offering a three-dimensional experience and returning knowledge about their cultural heritage. This approach seeks to rectify the limited access and lack of information surrounding these treasures, providing Egyptians with a means to reconnect with their history and culture.
For Nwaubani, born in Britain to Nigerian parents, the desire to reclaim stolen cultural heritage is deeply personal. Experiencing racism and a sense of otherness during his formative years, he found solace in his Nigerian roots and developed a determination to challenge misrepresentation of African cultures. As a digital product designer, he has harnessed his skills to reshape perceptions and restore agency to communities whose voices have often been marginalized.
Looty’s work extends beyond the repatriation of individual artifacts. By immersing audiences in digital renditions of cultural heritage, the collective aims to demonstrate that these artifacts are not mere relics of the past, but living symbols that continue to shape cultural identity. With a focus on agency, cultural inclusivity, and challenging colonial narratives, Looty and similar initiatives represent the evolving conversation surrounding restitution and the need for a more equitable representation of history in museums worldwide.