This n' That: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Milwaukee Art Museum, Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash
Institutions are starting to open around the country – with some extra precautions in place
A growing number of art institutions are planning to reopen after prolonged shutdowns in response to the coronavirus. But, as institutions opens their doors, they are also implementing new health and safety regulations before visitors can enter the galleries. Most have adopted extra procedures like requiring visitors to wear masks, selling timed tickets, installing hand sanitizing stations, and, of course, mandating social distancing. Procedures and expectations will continue to shift, as institutions continue to confirm their plans to welcome the public into their buildings. Institutions opening in the U.S. include Museum of Fine Arts Houston, San Antonio Museum of Art, Tampa Museum of Art, and Wichita Art Museum.
Girl Pictures by Justine Kurland, published by Aperture
Aperture releases new book bringing together Justine Kurland’s runaway girls
In the late 90s, photographer Justine Kurland imagined runaway girls roaming the American landscape forming a sylvan utopia where girls could make their own rules. Two decades later, Aperture has released a new book that brings Kurland's photographs together. Titled "Girl Pictures," this nostalgic glimpse of the past, still resonates in its timeless themes of defiance and female sexuality. Recently, similar themes of bold takes on the female gaze have been seen through works of many contemporary photographers including Luo Yang, Ashley Armitage, and Petra Collins.
Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash
New addition in popular Nintendo game recreates the museum experience for players
Top selling Nintendo game, Animal Crossing, is keeping millions entertained during quarantine and, with galleries and museums closed, many are turning to its intricate arts scene. The art gallery is a recent addition, made to the game in early April, which allows players to purchase known works of art, such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, and create a gallery. However, many are coming together to create communal collections by donating artwork to a shared gallery. This organic camaraderie emphasizes an art world ideal that is become increasingly true in a digital world, everyone has the same right to art and the same ease in accessing it.
The ICP, Photo by Alex Simpson on Unsplash
ICP hosted first-ever virtual awards ceremony to announce Infinity Award Winner
The International Center of Photography (ICP) announced this year’s Infinity Award winners at their first-ever virtual awards ceremony, honoring Don McCullin, Hannah Reyes Morales, Nadine Ijewere, and The New York Times Magazine‘s The 1619 Project. Since 1985, the annual ICP Infinity Awards have “recognized major contributions and emerging talent in the fields of photojournalism, art, fashion photography, and publishing.” Despite temporary closures, ICP is determined to continue providing compelling content and programming and has launched a digital platform that will present a series of films and online galleries for each of the winners for the public to enjoy.
