Metropolitan Museum of Art Pre – Reopening Preview on August 27, 2020
Photos + Video
Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art held a preview two days prior to its scheduled official reopening on August 29. This is the first time that the Museum has opened after having been closed since March 13 due to the COVID-19 Crisis.
Members of the press were invited to experience the three exhibitions set to debut on Saturday:
Making The Met, 1870–2020; The Roof Garden Commission: Héctor Zamora, Lattice Detour; and Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle
Also, exhibitions that opened shortly before the temporary closure and have been extended will also be available for viewing. They include, Sahel: Art and Empires on the Shores of the Sahara (through October 26); In Pursuit of Fashion: The Sandy Schreier Collection (through September 27); and Photography’s Last Century: The Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee Collection (through November 30).
Yours truly has been happily visiting this Museum for the past quarter century. Walking through its virtually empty halls this morning was quite an experience. Yes, I’ve been there on slow days but those were few and far between. More often than not, the Met would be brimming with tourists and locals. So walking about with nary a soul in sight was a thrill – especially for the photographer in me. If it weren’t for the occasional usher then I’d have sworn I was the only one in the house.
The Met should surely be on your list of things to do in these COVID recovery days of New York City. You’ll be able to take in exhibitions new and old.
Whilst walking through one gallery, I and others nearby happened upon the museum’s Director Max Hollein. Silvina Sterin Pensel of Radio France Internationale took the helm by quickly asking him some questions. I was just a slight bit slow in catching up with my camera. What you see in the following video is Mr. Hollein answering some of her questions.
Related Reading:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Confirms Opening on August 29, 2020
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Expects to Re-open in Mid-August 2020 or Sometime Soon Thereafter
- NY Governor Cuomo: Gyms, Museums and Bowling Alleys Reopenings
Below, you’ll find photos from my walk today. Therein are shots from the new ‘Making the Met’ exhibition as well as other photos to help demonstrate what lies in store for you should you visit. Within a separate posting will be coverage of their Roof Garden Commission.
Photo Gallery from today’s visit: