Kimono Controversy by

Kimono Controversy by https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt MFA Boston's Kimono Wednesdays en-us 2018-11-18 20:56:23 UTC 2023-04-14 14:52:07 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png What Went Wrong? groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306168159 MFA Boston discontinued a program, "Kimono Wednesdays", where visitors were able to dress up in Kimonos, inspired by Claude Monet's work of his wife wearing a robe similar to the kimono. This program led to concern over exoticism and Orientalism. After this criticism, the museum chose to have the Kimonos available to interact with, but not to wear. Critics also mentioned that the garments on display weren't even kimonos, but uchikake. Many also felt that artists such as Hokusai, would have been a better alternative to highlight Japanese culture, instead of a white man.]]> 2018-11-20 01:16:46 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306168159 Stand Against Yellow Face groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306168493 The protest group, Stand Against Yellow Face, did not have a major issue with Westerners using the Kimono, but the face that there was no education on the kimono's history. It was seen as just a costume and completely unrelated to the Asian identity. The program was seen to encourage Orientalism, which completely demeans Asian culture]]> 2018-11-20 01:18:57 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306168493 Correcting This Issue groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169001 The museum held a lecture in 2016, Kimono Wednesdays: A Conversation. This included:

Elena Tajima Creef, professor of women’s and gender studies, Wellesley College

Jasmine Hagans, curator of lectures, courses, and concerts

Barbara Lewis, Director, William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black History and Culture, University of Massachusetts Boston

Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director

Reiko Tomii, independent scholar; co-director, PoNJA-GenKon

Xtina Huilan Wang, Decolonize Our Museums

Ryan Wong, writer and visiting scholar at New York University’s A/P/A Institute

This program will discuss issues such as Orientalism, racism, cultural appropriation, racialized images, and representation of people of color. It further discussed how institutions such as MFA being more accountable to their community and how they represent it. This presentation started off with an apology by the MFA director, Matthew Teitelbaum. The Director also apologized for the title of the exhibition, Flirting with the Exotic, as it sensationalized an "important issue". Creef stated that it is not inherently racism to put a kimono on, although it is a part of a racist history, especially through a Western lense. Teitelbaim stated "Museums should be safe places and they're not safe places for everybody."

]]> 2018-11-20 01:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169001 Buzz Words groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169413 Some buzz words associated with this case includes "culturally sensitive", "cultural borrowing", and "cultural appropriation". These words seems to be used generically and don't really emphasize specific identities. The museum sought to be more "culturally sensitive", which implies that the museum has to be more sensitive when approaching other cultures, which seems doesn't embrace these cultures. Cultural borrowing and cultural appropriation seemed to be synonymous and both have been used in a flippant manner by the museum. Terms such as these are valid, but seem to be buzz words in the context used by the museum. ]]> 2018-11-20 01:24:14 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169413 MFA's Official Statement groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169489 The MFA’s mission is to engage people with direct encounters with works of art, and to be an inclusive and welcoming place for all. When the MFA’s painting, La Japonaise by Claude Monet, traveled throughout Japan for an exhibition, historically accurate reproduction kimonos were made for visitors to try on. When the painting returned to Boston and a similar program was introduced at the MFA, we heard concerns from some members of our community, and as a result, we’ve decided to change our programming. The kimonos will now be on display in the Impressionist gallery every Wednesday evening in July for visitors to touch and engage with, but not to try on. This allows the MFA to continue to achieve the program’s goal of offering an interactive experience with the kimonos—understanding their weight and size, and appreciating the embroidery, material, and narrative composition. We will also increase the number of Spotlight Talks presented by MFA educators, to take place every Wednesday evening in July in conjunction with the display of the kimonos. The talks provide context on French Impressionism, “japonisme,” and the historical background of the painting, as well as an opportunity to engage in culturally sensitive discourse. We apologize for offending any visitors, and welcome everyone to participate in these programs on Wednesday evenings, when Museum admission is free. We look forward to continuing the Museum’s long-standing dialogue about the art, culture and influence of Japan.]]> 2018-11-20 01:24:45 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306169489 Protesters at MFA during Kimono Wednesdays groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171238 2018-11-20 01:35:59 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171238 groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171415 Protesters use Twitter to bring attention to the controversy. ]]> 2018-11-20 01:37:03 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171415 Kimono Wednesday Response groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171823 As Wang stated, one of the panelists of the lecture, "one of the things this institution can do is to find what is challenging to you and sit with it...and don't come back and tell me all the good things you've done for me."

I believe that the museum's efforts to address this issue with the lecture was a great way to connect with the community and better understand their role in this situation. I do think that the museum should include more information concerning the history of kimonos. While the kimonos are no longer worn in the exhibit, there should still be more education on the kimono, especially if it is still on view with the work.
The museum should reflect on this situation and avoid exoticism and viewing cultures through a strictly western lens. ]]> 2018-11-20 01:39:19 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306171823 Articles groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306174662 Boucher, B. (2015, July 08). MFA Boston Cancels Kimono Event. Retrieved from https://news.artnet.com/art-world/museum-of-fine-arts-boston-apologizes-for-kimono-event-315000

Edwards, S. (2017, June 05). The kimono is big - and not just in Japan. But where is the line between appropriation and appreciation? Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/kimono-western-culture/article25933390/

Frank, P. (2015, July 09). Museum's 'Kimono Wednesdays' Cancelled After Claims Of Racism. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/museums-kimono-wednesdays-cancelled-after-claims-of-racism_us_559eb64ee4b05b1d028fe7e8

Gay, M. (2016, February 08). Kimono controversy erupts anew at MFA panel - The Boston Globe. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2016/02/08/kimono-controversy-erupts-anew-mfa-panel/olduJEpYVqUUyTM3wunRUM/story.html

WBUR. (2016, February 08). MFA Director On Kimono Controversy: 'I Think That Was Misguided And Apologize'. Retrieved from http://www.wbur.org/artery/2016/02/08/mfa-kimono-controversy]]> 2018-11-20 01:57:02 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306174662 MFA Boston groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306177030 During the summer of 2015, MFA Boston began the program, Kimono Wednesdays. This program provides the opportunity for visitors to wear a kimono in front of Monet's work La Japonaise. This work is of Monet's wife wearing a kimono, inspired by the artist's fascination with Japanese culture. ]]> 2018-11-20 02:08:55 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306177030 Kimono Wednesdays: A Conversation groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306177752 2018-11-20 02:15:15 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306177752 Prevention groman3 https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306178783 To prevent this situation, the museum could have incorporated more literature on the history of kimonos, as this was the chief complaint of the protesters. The museum could have contacted the community as well to see if this was a good idea. I think that incorporating the thoughts and ideas of the community is better done before than after. ]]> 2018-11-20 02:24:02 UTC https://padlet.com/groman3/9lh34c5sxidt/wish/306178783