Pace Gallery Founder Criticizes Met Over Galliano Show Timing

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The Metropolitan Museum of Art is facing criticism for its upcoming John Galliano exhibition, with Pace Gallery founder Arne Glimcher among those voicing concerns. A report by the New York Times published on Friday revealed that several public figures and politicians have privately criticized the museum's plans for the show.

Galliano, a fashion designer, was convicted of a hate crime in France in 2011 for antisemitic remarks, for which he later apologized and attended rehabilitation. He returned to the industry as creative director for Maison Margiela, a position he held from 2014 to 2024. The Met's Costume Institute is slated to feature the Galliano exhibition as its major May show next year. However, according to the Times, some sources have warned against presenting the show at this particular time.

As Times reporters Vanessa Friedman and Jacob Bernstein highlighted, the Met Gala, an annual, highly publicized event linked to the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, traditionally occurs on the first Monday in May. Next year, this date coincides with Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. Since the exhibition was announced in July, the Times has reported that multiple donors have threatened to withdraw or withhold contributions.

Glimcher appears to be one of these donors. He reportedly emailed David Breslin, the Met curator overseeing the modern and contemporary art department, to express his displeasure.“I don't think you have considered the cost of this action and its reverberations to come,” Glimcher wrote in the email, according to the Times. He further stated that he and his wife, Milly, were“seriously reconsidering other works that have been earmarked from our collection to the Met in our wills.” The specific works in question and whether Glimcher had formalized any promised gifts to the museum were not immediately clear. ARTnews has sought comment from Pace Gallery.

Glimcher has previously contributed to the Met, donating works over the years by artists such as Agnes Martin, Lucas Samara, Robert Mangold, and Mark Rothko. Together with his son, Marc, and former daughter-in-law, Fairfax Dorn, he gifted a 1981 Julian Schnabel painting for the Met's 150th anniversary. Pace has long represented all of these artists.

The Times article also quoted Elisha Wiesel, daughter of writer Elie Wiesel, who called the Galliano show a“pretty bad idea.” Additionally, Julie Menin, the speaker of New York's City Council, reportedly characterized the exhibition as“a serious mistake” in a letter addressed to Met director Max Hollein, Costume Institute head Andrew Bolton, and Vogue editorial director Anna Wintour. Wintour has been instrumental in shaping the Costume Institute and co-chairs the Met Gala.

These criticisms have reportedly prompted further discussions among Met board members. Andrew Solomon, a board member, told the Times that“confronting cancel culture is a healthier way to go forward than bowing to it.” Earlier, the Times reported that the Met had consulted with representatives of Jewish groups regarding the exhibition. In a statement to the Times this week, Hollein affirmed,“The Met has no tolerance for antisemitism, racism or prejudice of any kind. We are in close consultation with Jewish leaders and other stakeholders, and we take the concerns we've heard very seriously.” A Met spokesperson did not immediately respond to ARTnews's request for comment.

Source: ARTnews

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