This week, your key viewing is Andrew Rossi’s documentary film The First Monday in May. For your weekly quiz, choose any SEVEN of the twelve questions below to answer. For each of the seven, write a brief answer (a few sentences / a short paragraph).Your section leader will grade your answers based on effort, comprehension, and level of reflection.According to Anna Wintour, Andrew Boulton, and Harold Koda, how has The Costume Institute been perceived by other departments within the Metropolitan Museum of Art? What are some of the reasons they give for this view?
What, according to the curators, is the overarching mission of the China: Through The Looking Glass exhibition?
Do you see a difference in how European designers like John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier and Chinese designers like Guo Pei reference the symbols associated with Chinese history in their work? If so, how would you describe and characterize that difference? If not, what overriding similarities do you see?
Two film directors are brought in to work on the exhibition: Wong Kar-wai (born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong) as Artistic Director, and Baz Luhrman (born in Australia) as Creative Consultant for the Gala. Why do you think film directors were brought in to collaborate on this exhibition and gala?
At a certain point, the event organizers meet at Anna Wintour’s apartment to discuss design decisions and decide against the concept of installing large dragon figures on the red carpet. What is your reaction to this discussion? What were the different perspectives about the appropriateness of the imagery?
During a press conference in China, a Chinese journalist asks Andrew Bolton and Anna Wintour to discuss why they choose to focus on historical rather than contemporary symbols of China, and to consider whether the focus on fantasy could cause viewers to misinterpret Chinese culture. How do they respond? What is your reaction to their answer?
Throughout the film Mike Hearn, Curator in Charge of the Department of Asian Art, is seen consulting with the Costume Institute curators about the direction of the exhibition. What are his primary concerns regarding the exhibition?
The filmmakers included a detailed segment where Anna Wintour’s team negotiate about Rihanna’s performance fee. What was Rihanna’s role in the Met Gala, and why do you think the event organizers were willing to pay a high sum for her appearance?
Toward the end of the film, the filmmakers show the exhibition itself primarily through the perspective of the celebrity and designer guests. Michael Kors, Alicia Keys, Jean Paul Gaultier, Justin Bieber, and others are seen commenting on the garments and objects on display. Why do you think the filmmakers made this choice?
In a review of the film, Kimber Myers writes that it “tries to answer accusations of vapidity in the fashion world by addressing a large number of issues, including cultural sensitivity, Orientalism and feminism,” but that “it never really fully explores the topics it raises. In particular, the film fails to answer the question of representation of Chinese culture in this event as well as the whole industry of fashion.” To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
How much money did the Met Gala make for the museum? How many visitors attended the exhibition? Do some online research. Why do you think this exhibition in particular was so popular, and to what do you attribute its financial success?
Did you see this exhibition when it was on display at the Met? If so, how do you think it compares to the way it was discussed in the film (in other words, was this an accurate reflection of your experience of the exhibition)? If you didn’t see this exhibition, do you think the film gives you enough information and context to decide how you feel about the exhibition?
