Blogging at the Whitney

Recently, Figure Painting went to blog.mode, an exhibition featuring recent acquistions by the Met's Costume Institute and the museum's first attempt at democratized e-discussions about its offerings, and wondered if the implication of Harold Koda's statement — "Individuals who might shy away from commenting on the merits of a Juan Gris or Henry Moore will readily disclose their thoughts on a gown by John Galliano or a mule by Manolo Blahnik" — was true. Will museumgoers participate in a blog about a fashion exhibition but not one about art in the more traditional sense of the word?

One example to counter this thinking: The blog launched by the Whitney Museum of Art in conjunction with their survey of controversial artist Kara Walker's work. The exhibition, titled My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, features cut paper silhouettes and antebellum imagery that explore the topic of race. There is a lively, thoughtful discussion going on here.

Kara Walker, You Do, Photo courtesy the artist and Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York