Brooklyn Museum Celebrates 200th Anniversary with Luxurious Gold-Centric Exhibit [Interview]

# *Solid Gold*: A Stunning Homage to the Brooklyn Museum’s Bicentennial

The Brooklyn Museum, one of America’s oldest and most significant art institutions, is commemorating its 200th anniversary with elegance and brilliance. Central to this celebration is the mesmerizing exhibition *Solid Gold*, which envelops attendees in the dazzling charm of gold—a substance that has fascinated societies for millennia. Curated by Matthew Yokobosky, the museum’s senior curator of fashion and material culture, the exhibition is a comprehensive investigation into gold’s impact across art, fashion, music, design, and much more.

## **An Illuminating Journey Through History**

Running through July 6, 2025, *Solid Gold* boasts over 500 pieces from varied periods, cultures, and artistic practices. The exhibition presents an array of items from ancient relics and sacred altarpieces to high fashion, modern sculptures, and even rare musical instruments. Noteworthy highlights include lavish Italian mosaics, glittering golden apparel, and cutting-edge sculptures like Marc Quinn’s *Siren (Kate Moss)*—a representation of the supermodel crafted in 110 pounds of solid gold.

Alongside these celebrated artworks, the Brooklyn Museum has introduced more than 100 unique artifacts that are being showcased for the first time, such as Edward Steichen’s *Lunar Moth* baby grand piano. Spanning from 13th-century gold-leaf mosaics to contemporary interpretations of the color gold in modern art, the exhibition demonstrates how this radiant hue has been instrumental in influencing artistic expression throughout history.

## **The Significance of Gold in Art and Culture**

At its essence, gold has historically been tied to spirituality, divinity, and authority across various cultures. Its association with the sun has rendered it a symbol of everlasting life, visible in the golden embellishments worn by religious leaders and royalty. Throughout the ages, gold has served as a marker of wealth, from Egyptian tombs to today’s high-fashion runways.

Reflecting on the importance of gold, My Modern Met’s editorial director Pinar Noorata states, “Everything from a 13th-century Roman mosaic crafted from glass and gold leaf to a contemporary, solid gold sculpture of supermodel Kate Moss has its place in this exhibition. It provides insight into how a single color has influenced countless societies and cultures.”

By choosing gold as the focal point for the museum’s bicentennial exhibition, Yokobosky sought to emphasize gold’s universal charm as a representation of joy, celebration, and distinction. “Considering this is post-Covid and a time for celebration, creating an exhibition centered on a material associated with joy became a crucial thought,” he elaborates.

## **The Curation Process of *Solid Gold***

The exhibition heavily utilizes the Brooklyn Museum’s extensive collection, which includes around 4,000 gold-related pieces. These encompass gilded sculptures and textiles interwoven with gold thread, showcasing the beauty and artistry of the material across various historical times and diverse cultures.

Yokobosky carefully curated over 250 artworks, ensuring they aligned with the exhibition’s theme while also incorporating new loans to enhance the collection’s richness. “Creating this checklist of artworks initiated the curatorial journey, evolving as we discovered which loans would be accessible during the exhibition’s duration,” he explains. The final selection is categorized into six distinct sections, each offering an immersive exploration into gold’s artistic heritage.

In addition to the individual artworks, the curatorial team worked collaboratively with conservation experts to restore and showcase pieces that had previously remained in storage. This aspect of the exhibition introduces a feeling of rediscovery, bringing once-forgotten masterpieces back into public view.

## **Standout Features from *Solid Gold***

Among the many captivating displays, several key exhibits are particularly noteworthy:

– **Marc Quinn’s *Siren (Kate Moss)*** – A breathtaking sculpture made from 110 pounds of pure gold, depicting the iconic supermodel in a complex yoga posture. Inspired by classical sirens, the piece captures gold’s remarkable power to attract and mesmerize.
– **Titus Kaphar’s *The Jerome Project (My Loss)*** – A compelling collection of nearly 100 portraits focusing on incarcerated men who share a name with the artist’s father, created using oil, gold leaf, and tar on wooden panels.
– **Michelangelo Pistoletto’s *Venere degli stracci dorata (Golden Venus of Rags)*** – A provocative sculpture juxtaposing a golden Venus figure against a heap of discarded clothing, challenging notions of materialism and worth.
– **Zadik Zadikian’s *Path to Nine*** – A visually striking installation featuring a wall of 999 gold leaf-covered bars, conjuring concepts of wealth, excess, and ambition.

## **An Enduring Impression**

Beyond its visual allure, *Solid Gold* provides a deeply contemplative experience. Guests are encouraged to reflect on the historical, economic, and symbolic significance of gold in our shared