Metropolitan Museum, May 17, 2003
Ann Leda Shapiro Entering the MET
Erase In Action
Metropolitan Museum, May 17, 2003
Ann's Drawing Erased
Erase in group at 6p.m.
Caroline erasing her drawing
Comments by Caroline:
Studying the works, I found myself drawing very detailed pictures. Partly
the history of the pieces seemed to demand it, but also I knew I would feel
and express loss more succinctly when I erased them. I mined the deepest
reaches of King Ninevah's eyes with lead, and carved the wizened cracks that
trailed from his lids like chart lines in copper. The crisp shadows cast by
'Head of a Bull' seemed to accentuate it's presence in our moment. I also
recorded the sheen of the gold dagger wondering when and how it had been
used as an effective weapon.
I had a two line statement stapled to the back of my 6x8" pad. Whenever
someone commented, I'd ask if they'd like to read it. One man said pointing
to my drawing, 'what are you going to do with that?' and I just held up our
statement. He looked shocked and his wife argued "but this show is a
celebration!!" and I said "Let's hope that in ten year there's not another
celebratory show of the recently looted works."
I met the parents of a young woman who started a group called Women Against
the War. The father is a friend of John Kerry's and shared my fears that
Bush has a good chance of being reelected. Another woman, after reading my
text looked up at me with a deeply sad expression saying ' oh, there's been
such loss.'
I had thought it important that we erase in front of the works, but I was so
glad we decided to form a circle in the reading room instead. Not only did
it seem more effective symbolically, but I felt, as the circle grew with
each erase hour, perhaps even a glimmer of hope(?)
-Caroline
NB: Photography was not allowed at this action but we were able to capture few shots here and there. We erased in circle at 12, 2, 4, 6 and 8p.m. 60 artists took part of the event.
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