What’s New And Happening At The Guggenheim 1992

Curator: Here we have "What's New And Happening At The Guggenheim" by the Guerrilla Girls, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums' collection. The group produced the print which features a cut-out gorilla mask juxtaposed against a list of social ills. Editor: My initial reaction is one of stark confrontation. The graphic gorilla mask looms large, its gaping mouth almost daring the viewer to engage. Curator: Absolutely. The gorilla, of course, has become an enduring symbol for the group, cloaking their identities as they challenge systemic issues within the art world. This work directly calls out racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice present at the Guggenheim. Editor: Yes, and the gorilla is such a brilliant choice of icon. It evokes primitivism, challenges expectations, and allows them to be both anonymous and undeniably present. There is a sense of trickster energy. Curator: Precisely. By employing wit and irony, the Guerrilla Girls create a space for critical dialogue. Editor: This piece speaks volumes about the power of visual symbols in igniting societal change. Curator: Agreed. It’s a potent blend of historical awareness and radical expression.