“I would go out tonight
But I haven’t got a stitch to wear”*
Sorry. I care not one iota for “celebrities,” but I do care deeply about my second home, 1000 Fifth Avenue, NYC, aka The Metropolitan Museum of Art. So, while the rest of the world is ooohhhhinng and ahhhhhing over who’s wearing what (or not wearing what), I’m much more interested in what the building is “wearing” to tonite’s “Met Gala,” formally called the “Costume Institute Gala.” So? I thought I’d give you a look at it during the last moments the public was allowed in late Sunday, May 6th, as preparations for what is still widely called “the fashion event of the year” were winding up. The Met was closed today to allow for finishing touches…you know…nails and hair…
I don’t plan on covering this year’s Met Fashion Show, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination.” I’ll leave that to my friend, the incomparable Magda. But, wow, the signage sure strikes me as being “loaded.” Click any Photo for full size.
After 1,600 visits these past 15 years, I still get goose bumps when I turn the corner and see this in front of me. Oh, look! They finally built me an apartment out front! Yes, the satellite trucks were there 24 hours before “opening step off.”
The view of the world famous stairs under the tent.
The view in Gallery 300, just south of the Grand Staircase, (aka Byzantium South). Yes, the “real” outfits are being hidden, but I do love how carefully so many of them are draped. Well? It’s The Met.
Gallery 304- Medieval Europe, with the figures going all the way back into the next galleries.
Gallery 305- Medieval Sculpture Hall. The Met’s famous Christmas Tree is installed right in front of the Spanish Choir Screen. The figures go all the way back, almost to the Robert Lehman Collection.
Alexander McQueen, partially seen in Gallery 306- Medieval Treasury.
The American Wing Courtyard seems to be the focal point of the evening’s festivities.
The riser with the chairs is over what is now the American Wing Courtyard Cafe. Before that, it used to be a Sculpture Court. I spent countless hours Drawing here in the ever-changing light, with Central Park to the immediate right, often spending Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday here. The Sculpture has been moved to the center of the Courtyard, or upstairs in the remodeled American Wing.
Looking towards the center of the Courtyard from the American Wing.
Gallery 305 Medieval Sculpture Hall
Gallery 300 now closed.
Gallery 301- Late Roman
Exiting the building at closing heading north.
As always, watch out for the fashion police! Even the concrete blocks were protected with shrink-wrap.
I wonder how many Gala attendees will opt to head to “Bar & Grille,” instead.
*- Soundtrack for this Post is “This Charming Man,” by Morrissey and Johnny Marr from “The Smiths,” 1984.
“On The Fence, #19 . The Met Gala Edition”
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Written & photographed by Kenn Sava for nighthawknyc.com unless otherwise credited.
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