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Screen Print of Andy Warhol’s ‘Mao’ Artwork Reportedly Stolen from Orange Coast College

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Orange Coast College is facing a devastating blow after an invaluable Andy Warhol art piece depicting China’s communist leader Mao Zedong was stolen from the campus. The theft of Warhol’s 1972 screen print, titled “Mao,” has sent shockwaves through the art community and left authorities scrambling to recover the missing masterpiece.

The Frank M. Doyle Art Pavilion, where the stolen print was housed, is now at the center of a harrowing investigation as Orange Coast College authorities work tirelessly to track down the culprits responsible for this brazen act. Juan Gutierrez, the college’s director of marketing and public relations, revealed that the print was last seen in the vault of the Art Pavilion, sparking concerns over its disappearance.

This iconic artwork, inspired by U.S. President Nixon’s historic trip to China to meet Chairman Mao Zedong, holds significant historical and artistic value. Warhol’s series of 199 silkscreen paintings of Mao, created between 1972 and 1973, are revered for their bold portrayal of a pivotal moment in international diplomacy.

The stolen print, generously donated to Orange Coast College in September 2020, symbolizes a rare and precious addition to the institution’s art collection. Its sudden loss has left a void that cannot be easily filled, both in terms of sentimental and monetary worth.

In a cruel twist of fate, the original Warhol painting of “Mao” fetched a staggering $47.5 million at auction in 2015, underscoring the immense value associated with the artist’s iconic works. While the exact appraisal of the stolen print remains unknown, its significance within the art world cannot be overstated.

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Campus police, alongside the Costa Mesa Police Department, are actively pursuing leads and following up on any potential sightings of the stolen print. Orange Coast College authorities have issued a heartfelt plea for the public’s assistance in locating the missing artwork, emphasizing the importance of its safe return to its rightful place.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen print is urged to contact the school’s campus safety department at (714) 432-5017 or reach out to the Costa Mesa Police Department at (714) 754-5252. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the community are crucial in ensuring the swift recovery of this invaluable piece of art history.

The theft of the Andy Warhol “Mao” screen print from Orange Coast College represents not just a loss for the institution, but a blow to the artistic legacy of one of the most renowned figures in contemporary art. As the investigation unfolds, the hopes of recovering this iconic artwork rest on the collective vigilance and support of those who cherish the cultural significance of Warhol’s masterpieces. Let us stand united in preserving the integrity of our shared artistic heritage and bring “Mao” back home where it rightfully belongs.

Intellectuals Insider

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News

Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.