Recently, a group called Improv Everywhere (out of New York city,) did an improv stint at the Met where an actor impersonated King Philip IV in front of a recently restored figure painting of the monarch. Watching the video, the execution made me a tad uncomfortable, but was so happy to see people engaged in an environment which traditionally ends up being a very introverted experience.
After signing autographs for several minutes, a security guard became uncomfortable with the hallabaloo and asked both the king and his handler to leave. While exiting, the actor continued to sign photographs as people continued to ask for his X.
Why is it we are so uncomfortable with the idea of interaction? There are no laws against a guy dressing up in costume, and after a highly publicized restoration of the painting and announcement of its return to the gallery, why would the Met snuff at further free publicity? The buzz in the room was intoxicating and people were actually interested and engaged in conversation. Who is that guy? Why does he look like the guy in the painting? What is he handing out? How old is he supposed to be?
I think museums need to take a page from the IE book and figure out creative ways to engage their visitors. And not more bad onsite plays were a mediocre actor pretends to be a famous figure. The brillance of this stint was that it was subtle. No script, no wigs and no canned music.
I think they were pissed off just because they didn't think of it first!
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