Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech.” is putting up a challenge. It challenges the idea of a museum, being pristine, untouchable, not a place for teenagers. It challenges attendees to look at the institution of a museum differently. It challenges society to rethink the role of an artist, and the career of an artist. It captures something that is entirely a product of its time. Seemingly haphazard, but potent in messaging. And agnostic of medium.
The exhibition is, essentially, a blueprint. The architecture-trained artist has laid out a foundation. Attendees walking through the exhibition are following the steps of his journey from his beginnings in Chicago to where he is today.
To me, it’s always exciting to see young foot traffic in a museum. People like Virgil Abloh are representative of the cultural renaissance we live in today. More diverse than ever. More globally-minded and connected. More willing to experiment, defy expectations, invent and reinvent. And excited to inspire the future.