The following is a list of words/phrases used in the label text at the Art Institute of Chicago's Cy Twombly exhibition:
Inimitable
Incendiary
Transgressive vein
Reverie (twice)
Wet into Wet
Classical Formality
Yawn. No wonder Twombly exhibitions alienate the general public--the translations of his work need their own translators. This awesome opportunity to shed light on one of the most complicated artists is lost in verbose, flowery language and the assumption that every visitor scored well on their Verbal SATs.
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3 days ago
And then museum people ask, "What do you mean museums are inaccessible?"
ReplyDeleteI think that in an exhibition that is as visually stimulating as the Twombly exhibition there should be a "talk back" station where visitors get to leave one word that they think sums up their experience of looking at Twombly's work. As a big fan of his paintings I was excited by the exhibition but I do think that his work can be a big challenge to talk about. Maybe this one word thing would be a good entry point to combat that challenge. Also having this station option would allow others to see what their fellow visitors have to say about his work- it could promote critical reflection and that's always fun.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that a "talk back" station in an exhibition of this nature....or any exhibition for that matter...is key to improving accessibility and visitor participation. Love the one word idea too!
ReplyDeleteThis is both hilarious and sad. Here's my opinion: curators should do their research (make them happy), then pass it along to the education staff to write the labels (make them happy). I bet at that point you could even show it to the marketing staff and they'd be happy too because the institution would be looking out for both the art AND the audience!
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