Nashashibi/Skaer (British). Flash in the Metropolitan, 2006. Film; 16mm, color, silent, 3' 25". The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Vital Projects Fund Inc. Gift, through Joyce and Robert Menschel, 2010, (2010.403) © Nashashibi/Skaer
«The short film Flash in the Metropolitan documents different works of art at the Met in the middle of the night. The filmmakers moved throughout the galleries with a flash strobe and a 16mm film camera on a track. The film is only three minutes and twenty-five seconds long, but it is on a constant loop in the gallery. This is my favorite piece because it's so unique and the film focuses on works of art chosen by the filmmakers.» Also, the nighttime vibe is special because no one is around. It is unique, risky, and mysterious.
Who knew that these works of art could take on a different personality at night? This recent film captures works of art from long ago in a new way.
When the awesome curator Doug Eklund talked about this piece, he mentioned that the British arts organization who commissioned this work needed permission from the Met before shooting it. I was shocked that the Met granted their wish!
After seeing the short film, I have several questions for the filmmakers: Why did they choose to make their film in the middle of the night? Was it scary? Which galleries did they go to and why? Did they sleep in the Museum?
Evelin. Piece Equals Personality, 2012. Collage.
Inspired by Flash in the Metropolitan, my artwork above—titled Piece Equals Personality—is a collage of images. Like the film, each image has a completely different personality when taken out of its original context.
Come to the Met, watch this short film, and let us know what questions you have. We welcome them below.