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September 11, 2008
Philippe de Montebello has it right - the Met has sold out
Has the Met has gone a-whoring after recent art?
In a phone interview, Mr. de Montebello praised Mr. Campbell’s appointment. “He’s the most modern of us all,” he said, invoking Met directors. “We’ve had a Romanist, a medievalist, but he goes up through the Baroque."
Actually, despite Mr. de Montebello's little joke, it's Carol Vogel in the New York Times article who regrets the modern and contemporary holdings in the Met. Soon-to-retire director de Montebello and new director Campbell don't say anything about the issue. If it even is an issue. I'm quite certain that the Met should not pursue cutting-edge contemporary art; show it if you like, but don't buy it. It's too hard to decide what's important and it's all too expensive.
Bloomberg's Linda Yablonsky has an interesting opinion piece about the selection, too. Speaking as a fellow 46-year-old, I'm amused she's calling Campbell 'youthful:'
Frankly, it seems fitting that a dark horse like the youthful Campbell should take the reins. In this U.S. presidential election year, inexperience seems anything but an obstacle to success. It might even be an asset, especially when the candidate comes with ideals, refined speech and a winning personality.
Posted by CrankyProfessor at September 11, 2008 7:56 AM