Curation Redefined At the MET Museum’s European Galleries
In June of 2022, I wrote of how Max Hollein (CEO & Director of the MET) was moving the MET forward with a fresh perspective. Well, it’s happening!
My memories of the European galleries are vague at best. I know that sounds awful, but its true. I was usually passing through on my way to something else. I know that museums are historic institutions , but permanent art should get a refreshed environment every 50 years., even if it does cost $150 million dollars.(The Clark Institute renovated after 60 years)
Wandering through the renovated European galleries for the first time will have an effect on your senses and emotions.….and each time you visit thereafter, I promise you will feel the same. There are 45 rooms dedicated to art from the early Renaissance to the 19th century.
There is inspiration in every room, and it is truly a magical experience. When art is exhibited in a dramatic way, you look at it differently as there is so much visual stimulation leading up to the actual viewing of the art. Some pieces are grouped together, hung high and low, and most important is the lighting, which creates this intimate relationship to the art. Some is chronological , some is not…it could just be similarity in feeling or subject or color relationship. The wall colors are breathtaking as you drift from one room to the next. It feels like a new way to view classic Western Art.
The Washington Post wrote: “This seems to be a pattern: a brief feint toward newish curatorial strategies—followed by a long, reflexive return to the chronological and geographical categories that have governed the study of Western art.” They go on to say, “thats okay as no one expects the Met to lead on these sorts of things.”
To me, this is precisely what is genius. I would say it is intentional that all are not “over the top”. It gives you pause, a break if you will, so you are not over-stimulated and running for the exits.
Reboots and refreshes can be so impactful….like the Frick and how they curated their temporary galleries at the Frick Madison, or like the collaboration of Paul Smith with the Picasso Museum in Paris ( I haven’t been since 2019 and this reboot was needed and also genius!)
As I sign off, I can’t help but hope there will be a documentary on all that went into the decision making for the galleries. How much time went into the wall color ( having had my career in fashion, I know how daunting it can be to choose the right shade) versus the art….in some cases I wonder which came first?
