Roy Lichtenstein notwithstanding, comic book culture isn’t commonly associated with high art. However, another exception can now be made. In part two of my interview with Andrew Bolton, the curator at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he explains why the two opposing cultures make a perfect mixture this summer at the Met’s “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” exhibition.
PLAYBOY: How does the inner circle of the Met feel about this? Is this too low-end?
BOLTON: That is what has been really encouraging. They understand the concept behind the show. Even if they think the subject of superheroes is a low form of artistic expression, they engage with the concept behind it, this idea how the superhero has this metaphoric malleability, and how the superheroes reflect certain symbolic references. They engage in the conceptual underpinnings of the exhibit even if they don’t like the nature of the superheroes.
PLAYBOY: Both the comic world and the fashion world are very opinionated. What has been their response?
BOLTON: Well I haven’t received any letters yet, although the show runs until September. It is a very vocal show. When you go into the exhibition it is very loud with people voicing their opinions about the fashion or about the costumes and I think that is very energizing. In the Greek or Roman galleries the decibels are much lower because people are afraid to comment about it. In this exhibition people have been much more lively. But I haven’t heard any complaints but I probably will because a lot of comic book fans have strong feelings about the nature of the material.
PLAYBOY: Are you a comic book person yourself?
BOLTON: Not really. I read Spiderman as a kid but I wasn’t really an avid superhero fan. What I always loved is that they are so quintessentially American, like baseball or jazz. They embodied individualism, democracy and unadulterated power. They are such a strong symbol of American culture.
PLAYBOY: Did you seek any advice from a heavyweight like Stan Lee?
BOLTON: No but I would have loved to have talked to Stan Lee or Frank Miller. I love what they do. Especially Frank, who has such a dark sensibility to superheroes. I love the post-modern take. They elevate the cultural prestige of comic books as well. In the 80’s, Batman was inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, and it was going back to the darker sensibilities of batman. There was such activity between comics, film and fashion that made me want to show those connections.
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