A statement from Met leadership on the Capitol desecration:
"The attack on the United States Capitol was an act of domestic terrorism that violated our nation’s highest values." 1/12
"The actions of these treasonous rioters underscore the threat to democracy in a society where misinformation, racism, and other hateful ideologies are allowed to run rampant." 2/12
"Bringing to justice those responsible for these criminal actions is an essential first step towards healing and reconciliation for a deeply divided nation." 3/12
"Last week’s events at the Capitol were not only an attack on the lawmakers who were there to certify the election but also on the very symbols of our government and this country’s ideals. The Met has a responsibility to speak out on both of these areas." 4/12
"The Capitol building and its treasured art collection were subject to acts of shameful vandalism and desecration, including the spraying of a blood-like substance on statues and the general destruction of art and objects throughout the building." 5/12
"Most disturbing, racist and antisemitic imagery was paraded throughout the complex, including a noose and numerous Confederate flags along with insignia of various other hate groups." 6/12
"These symbols of hate, amid the halls of one of the nation’s most cherished and democratic landmarks, were a violent affront to our ideals of freedom and equality." 7/12
"Of course, the Capitol itself is a complicated symbol of our democracy, paralleling this country's journey towards 'a more perfect union.'" 8/12
"It has been home to some of the nation's most visionary actions—during pivotal moments when our nation has reimagined what 'liberty and justice for all' really means—and also some of the nation's most shameful moments." 9/12
"It is the engine of our democracy, imperfect as it may be, propelling us toward a better future." 10/12
"Fortunately, early reports indicate that the damage to the building and the objects within can be repaired by the dedicated professional staff at the Capitol who are charged with its care. We have reached out to offer whatever assistance would be helpful." 11/12
"However, the damage to our democratic ideals and our faith in our institutions cannot be so easily repaired.
The Capitol is the legislative home for our democracy and a living museum. The nation must protect both." 12/12
Daniel H. Weiss, President and CEO
Max Hollein, Director
• • •
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"Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city"
— William Carlos Williams
Written in 1920, this poem and its imagery of a New York City fire engine rushing down the street inspired this 1928 painting by artist #CharlesDemuth, who considered it an abstract portrait of #WilliamCarlosWilliams, a close friend.
Today on the 19th anniversary of #September11, Demuth's painting and Williams' poem provide an unexpected moment of reflection and an acknowledgment of the modern members of Ladder Company 5, who were among the first responders to the tragic events of the day.
A statement from Met President and CEO Daniel H. Weiss and Met Director Max Hollein in response to recent comments about Iran:
1) “The targeting of sites of global cultural heritage is abhorrent to the collective values of our society. Our world knows precisely what is gained from protecting cultural sites, and, tragically, what is lost when destruction and chaos prevail.
2) “At this challenging time, we must remind ourselves of the global importance of protecting cultural sites—the objects and places by which individuals, communities, and nations connect to their history and heritage.
How exactly do you produce an #etching? 🤔 Enjoy this jolly fun thread to see the process unfold.
Step 1: Ready your materials! ✍️ Etching is a process in which lines or areas are incised using acid into a metal plate (made of iron, copper, or zinc) in order to hold the ink.
Step 2: Prepare the plate! 🖌️
To start, printmakers polish the plate to remove all scratches and imperfections from the surface.
When the surface is totally smooth, it's covered evenly with a layer of acid-resistant varnish or wax, which is called the ground.
Using a blunt stylus called an #etching needle, the printmaker gently scratches away parts of the ground to create a design, exposing the metal beneath.
Camp has arrived! 🎉 Join us today for a sneak peek at the highly anticipated 2019 Costume Institute exhibition, “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” #MetCamp
“Camp: Notes on Fashion” explores the origins of camp’s exuberant aesthetic and how the sensibility evolved from a place of marginality to become an important influence on mainstream culture. #MetCamp
Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp’” provides the framework for the exhibition. #MetCamp
#MetHeavenlyBodies features a dialogue between fashion and masterworks of medieval art in The Met collection to examine fashion’s ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism. #MetGala