There are pieces here only a billionaire could acquire

December 15, 2023 1:37 AM

It is a coup then for the Tate to show such extraordinary (and extraordinarily expensive) pieces, and undoubtedly a benefit to the gallery-going public. A closer look at Gregor Muir’s job description reveals an emphasis not on curating, but on directorship of Tate’s international collection, which encompasses “[nurturing] and [expanding] the Tate’s existing international networks including the established acquisitions committees.” The show’s collaboration demonstrates success in this respect. Yet it sets a worrying precedent, especially given what feels like a lack of transparency into the monied roots of the show. from What We Lose When Curating Follows the Money
posted by chavenet (7 comments total)

One thing worth mentioning is that the Tate, like most other British museums, is free to enter. There are usually some paid exhibitions, like the one in this article, but the majority of the collection at the Tate, British museum, Victoria and Albert, etc, are all free. This was put in place by Tony Blair’s new labour government, and a criticism of it at the time was that it would drive dependency on government funds and external lenders - as it seems to have done.

But, y’know, free museums. That’s still pretty cool. The quality of the external exhibits does seem to be taking a dip - like the article says, and also looking at those full-room projections of famous paintings slightly moving, like paying to see the worlds biggest screensaver - but in general, free museums are good.
posted by The River Ivel at 3:11 AM on December 15, 2023 [4 favorites]

Thanks for the link, chavenet. That exhibition does sound incoherent, so good on the author for peering between the lines to see what else might be going on. I don't know enough about international money laundering art markets to have an informed opinion on her take, but it was interesting.

Another fan of free museums here. I'm spoiled, as I'm quite close to my state's art museum (free permanent collections) and an easy trip from D.C.'s multiple large, free art museums. Recently I was in Philadelphia and experienced sticker shock at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is less about it being "expensive," I think, than my years of frequent visits to museums and galleries w/o an entry fee.
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:05 AM on December 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

Free museums… There’s nothing better than to be able to pop in and stand in front of a favorite piece of art for a few minutes , and then pop out.
posted by njohnson23 at 7:55 AM on December 15, 2023 [7 favorites]

There was an exhibition (that we had to pay for, the rest of the museum is free) at the National Galleries of Scotland about impressionism. I honestly don't remember any of the works. What I do remember is that the history of who had bought each item and how it had traveled from one rich asshole to another before finally being donated or loaned or given in lieu of taxes was on the description for each painting. In fact, there was more about the people behind the acquisition of the painting than there was about the painting itself. I could understand and in fact would support that for looted cultural artifacts, but most of those are not stored at the National Galleries of Scotland (I suspect most are in London at the British Museum and the V&A, although the new V&A up here in Scotland probably has some too). I read the descriptions because I wanted to know the details around the painting, why it was painted, who they were working with and talking with at the time, are there any notes about it, etc.

There's a reason I forgot the paintings and it's not because I was upset about seeing Monet. Those little signs soiled the entire experience.
posted by Hactar at 8:18 AM on December 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

I'll also add, that if you live in NYC (and maybe NYS), the Met is essentially free. They'll make you feel like and asshole and you can't use any electronic means to do this, but if you live in the area, your minimum donation is $0.01. You can give them a penny and get in. If it's later in the day, they generally don't ask for ID. An ex of mine found the Egyptian temple was a good place to sit and think for half an hour to an hour a day for a while. She said she would give them a dollar every time she went in.
posted by Hactar at 8:21 AM on December 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

I'll also add, that if you live in NYC (and maybe NYS), the Met is essentially free.


It is, I believe, the Tri-State area, and if you have out-of-network pals with you they get the same benefit. There's probably a side hustle opportunity there for locals to shepherd out-of-towners in on the cheap.
posted by Ayn Marx at 9:06 AM on December 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

(that met policy used to be for everyone, and I miss it. Met is NOT free for tri-state. the whitney is going to be free on fridays and second sundays, which is amazing.)

Before clicking on the link, I assumed the art was going to be Russian-owned and I was wrong! I don't know if I saw this show it would stand out to me as good or bad.
posted by armacy at 7:31 PM on December 15, 2023