Erin Thompson

Erin Thompson, a Professor of Art Crime at City University of New York, dives into the audacious Louvre heist where thieves stole priceless crown jewels in just four minutes. She explains the criminals' daring tactics, including using a cherry picker and power tools. Erin discusses the complexities of valuing stolen art, how thieves might profit, and the societal impact of such heists. She reflects on public fascination with art theft and shares historical anecdotes, including the famous Mona Lisa theft, making it clear that art crime is both a thrilling and troubling subject.

In this engaging discussion, art crime expert Erin Thompson critiques the political implications of public monuments, especially in light of Trump's move to restore Confederate statues. Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani unpacks Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, revealing its lack of political solution for Palestinians and the troubling influence from figures like Jared Kushner and Tony Blair. Lastly, journalism professor Ted Hamm shines a light on Zoran Mamdani’s progressive mayoral campaign, emphasizing his proposals for rent freezes and community safety reforms.

Erin Thompson, an art historian and professor specializing in art crime, delves into the power dynamics of monuments and aesthetics. She discusses Trump's extravagant White House renovations, exploring how gilded touches serve as political symbolism. Thompson links historical practices of statue removal to current controversies, revealing the often fraudulent funding behind Confederate monuments. She also reflects on how monuments shape community identity and discusses the challenges of grassroots activism in changing public spaces.