Metropolitan Museum Date
February 2025 has been fascinating and eventful. Despite attempted erasure, February is still Black History Month. I've always been an avid appreciator of history. When I was younger, I'd read ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian mythology at length. In history class, I'd intently listen to lessons, especially those about Precolonial Africa or the Early Americas. As often as I can carve out time to wander the halls of museums, I make sure to make the most of every revelatory moment to celebrate the vastness and diversity of human history. Because of my unwavering understanding of the ways in which the past is interconnected with and informs the present, I hold institutions dedicated to archiving and preserving history in high esteem.
Since you also value being a lifelong learner and seizing opportunities to deepen your historical and cultural influences, here's an exhibition you may find to be thought-provoking. Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. On an ongoing basis, tens of thousands of objects from Ancient Egypt can be seen in various galleries at The Met. What intrigues me about Flight Into Egypt is the interpretive lens through which Ancient Egyptian iconography is viewed. Rather than showcasing ancient artifacts, more modern works by Black artists from the late nineteenth century through today are the focus. From the album covers of musicians such as Miles Davis, Erykah Badu, and Alice Coltrane, to paintings by Sam Gilliam and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Flight Into Egypt is an immersive multimedia experience.
If you get a chance to go, please share your insights with me the next time we convene. Better yet, perhaps we can plan a date to meet at The Met. My penchant for history and art makes me a studious companion to have on your arm as we peruse the exhibition. We can take a reflective walk through the museum, sharing what sparks of imagination emerge for us. After an artistically enriching experience, we can take a jaunt to one of Upper East Side's delectable restaurants. There are also many marvelous piano and jazz bars in Manhattan where we can be serenaded by a songstress before turning in for our sultry nightcap.