Give Yourself a Break with an Art-Filled #ElectionCleanse
Distract yourself from the election results by remembering and reveling in the power of art and culture.
As an attempt at a sort of #ElectionCleanse, today I'll tweet my favorite photos of art, cultural objects & museums. Join me; we need this! pic.twitter.com/WvRDdOQZs5
— Mark B. Schlemmer (@MarkBSchlemmer) November 8, 2016
For many people, the joy of today is not just in voting but in seeing this election — this horrible, insane, terrifying thing — come to an end. It’ll be at least a few hours until we know the results, but in the meantime, you may want to take an #ElectionCleanse.
Started by Mark B. Schlemmer, a registrar at the New-York Historical Society and the founder of the popular Twitter account @ITweetMuseums, the hashtag is an attempt to help people clear their heads by remembering and reveling in the power of art and culture. Not a ton of people have joined in — anxiety levels are likely just too high — but if you’re looking for a quick social media retreat, here are a few favorites.
#ElectionCleanse #MWPAI @ITweetMuseums – A new beginning, Thomas Cole, The Voyage of Life: Youth, 1840 pic.twitter.com/FQjMPND1gL
— Meg (@Meg_Gianetti) November 8, 2016
A view of the United States on November 9, after Hillary Clinton has (fingers crossed) won the election.
#ElectionCleanse (like a "Unicorn-Chaser") Have some Edward Burne-Jones pic.twitter.com/9XxN3ocfz7
— Dorkomatic (@dorkomatic) November 8, 2016
A view of Americans tomorrow, as we all nurse our post-election-night hangovers.
I worked alongside this NASA-loaned moon rock during a special exhibit at my museum. It was super cool. #ElectionCleanse pic.twitter.com/VDHeVgneTL
— Isabel Ray (@IsabelVRay) November 8, 2016
A reminder that there’s a world outside of this country — outside of this planet, even!
How about a collection of #JohnSingerSargent hands as a distraction and potential #ElectionCleanse? pic.twitter.com/s85VuZgalc
— Mark B. Schlemmer (@MarkBSchlemmer) November 8, 2016
Hands are helpful for voting. These are also beautifully rendered.
These necklaces fm #Egyptian galleries @metmuseum might go really well with a #pantsuit #ElectionCleanse pic.twitter.com/7YSFPxkSh5
— Sedef Piker (@SedefsCorner) November 8, 2016
Word to the #PantsuitNation.
I love images of women reading! "The Morning Paper", Kenneth Hayes Miller. Sharing art as part of #electioncleanse pic.twitter.com/qFyajIzlla
— Sally (@SallyReb) November 8, 2016
Educated women for the win.
To these — and in honor of Hillary Clinton possibly becoming our first female president — I would add a few firsts by women artists throughout history:
Catharina van Hemessen made this stunning work in 1548, and it’s believed to be the first self-portrait at an easel by an artist of either gender.
This intense painting by Clara Peeters is considered “one of the first still life paintings devoted to the hunt,” according to the Prado (where it hangs).
Although her work was not shown publicly until 1986, Hilma af Klint was making spiritual, abstract paintings as early as 1906 (five years before Kandinsky). Whether or not you think it makes sense to write her into the history of modern art as such, that’s trailblazing.
Alma Thomas — who was recently the subject of a survey at the Studio Museum in Harlem — was the first black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. In case you thought this country, or the art world, was progressive, take note: it took place in 1972, a severely delayed occasion for celebration.
If these aren’t working and you’re still really stressed out, may I recommend Bob Ross, soothing scenery, and/or whiskey? Whatever it takes, friends. Whatever it takes.
