The first piece I was drawn to was “Masterpieces Without the
Director.” It was a taped tour of the 19 best-known masterpieces at the MET. It
followed the same route as the official MET tour, yet offered the artists Paul
Ramirez and Spencer Finch commentary on everything from the architecture to the
myths of the MET. I think this is particularly interesting because the MET is
so strict about large groups coming in with guest lecturers. The artists were
taking control of their voices and reaching a large group at the same time.
Another piece that I came across was “Tribute in Light,” a
tribute to those who lost their lives during the attacks on 9/11. Two beams of
light extend into the sky and light up the lower Manhattan. These lights first
shined exactly six months after the attacks, however, the lights continue to be
displayed on the anniversary of 9/11 each year. I think this has always been an
incredibly powerful “monument” to the lives lost. When I had my first
interaction with it in New York a few years ago, you cannot help but stop and
take a moment and pay respects.
The final piece was “Freedom of Expression National Monument;”
a giant megaphone that instructed and allowed the public to “step up and speak
up.” Often in this day and age, those with a megaphone can be easily ignored
simply because society wants to write off what they are saying. The sheer size
of the megaphone created made it impossible to ignore. This not only allowed
for the public to engage in the performance by speaking their own mind, but
being able to stop and really listen as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment