by Shenzhan/申展
It might not be a very good idea to see two exhibitions on one visit to the MET, but it does save time. So, here I am, one day after, still quite overwhelmed. Even worse, now I feel I have to write something about the exhibitions before they fade in the memory of the hottest weekend in the summer of 2019.
Two special exhibitions at the MET this summer are of my particular interest.
CAMP: notes on fashion is almost entirely based on Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp'” ,which kicked off her career as a literary critic in the U.S. by getting in mainstream the word “Camp”, originated from the reign of the French King Louis XIV in 17th century (btw: his reign is over 72 years, the longest in European history! He certainly dwarfs Kang Xi, whose reign lasted 61 years, the longest in China’s imperial history). In her own words, the essence of Camp is “its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” Over time, there are variations of the definition, but the artificial, exaggerated, flamboyant fashion is surely on exhibit at the MET.
“Cauliflower” Headpiece, by Deirdre Hawken, 2013
The other exhibition, Play It Loud, presents 130 instruments from legendary musicians of Rock and Roll. While it appears to be completely different from CAMP, I find, in fact the essence is quite similar. The 60s not only got Camp in the mainstream, but also witnessed the golden time of Rock and Roll. Some of its biggest stars style, like Prince, is undoubtedly campish (if that is a word…). For those who love music, especially Rock and Roll, it would be thrilling to see up close their favorite singers instruments, each specially designed, storied, and often worn out by the musician personally. For me, it’s the Beatles drum set, and guitars played by Jimmy Page, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin.
Downbeat four-piece kit in black-oyster-pearl finish with crymbals, Ludwig Drum Co., Chicago; Avedis Zildjian Co., Norwell, Mass.; Boosey and Hawkes, Edgeware, Longdon 1963
Jimmy Page’s Rig
Of course, an exhibition of instrument can’t be without the music itself. And it’s definitely a good education on Rock and Roll. Below are the songs on the gallery list:
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, the Beatles
“Shapes of Things”, the Yardbirds
“Layla”, Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon
“Fire on the Mountain”, the Grateful Dead
“Woodstock”, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
“Gimme Shelter”, The Rolling Stones
“All Along the Watchtower” Jimi Hendrix
“Pride (In the Name of Love)”, U2
“Rattlesnake”, St. Vincent
“Seven Nation Army”, The White Stripes
And the MET curator Jayson Kerr Dobney has a 71-song playlist on spotify!
I guess I’ve got plenty of music for Sunday.
And did I mention I had my first Qin class at China Institute on the same day?
Astoria, New York
July 21, 2019