If you are obsessed with everything gold, the Brooklyn Museum’s latest exhibition, ‘Solid Gold,’ promises an opulent experience that feels like stepping into a treasure chest. Curated by Matthew Yokobosky in celebration of the museum’s 200th anniversary, the exhibition features 500 items that span ancient relics, Renaissance masterpieces, and jaw-dropping couture, all united by their golden glow.
Running from November 16, 2024, to July 6, 2025, this glittering exhibition serves as a tribute to humanity’s enduring fascination with gold. It also offers insights into how this precious metal has influenced art, culture, and even ongoing environmental discussions. Notable pieces include a fly necklace prototype worn by Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra,” Cartier’s 1950s écharpe necklace, and Rihanna’s striking 24-karat gold-plated ensemble designed by The Blonds.
BRACELET, ROME, 379–395 CE GOLD, EMERALDS, SAPPHIRES, AND GLASS
The exhibition is a timeline of gold’s journey through history and its various guises Organised into eight thematic sections, the exhibition creates “collisions” between eras, with items like an Iranian 18th-century helmet displayed alongside modern couture. It’s a vibrant dialogue that blurs the lines between art, fashion, and history, promising something for everyone
Among the highlights are splendid couture gowns from Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Marc Bohan, Azzedine Alaïa, and John Galliano while he was at the helm of Christian Dior alongside recent creations, including garments such as a golden-foil gown from Balenciaga’s spring 2020 collection, designed by Demna.
Curator Matthew Yokobosky doesn’t let visitors bask solely in luxury. A thought-provoking corner explores the ecological cost of gold mining, grounding the opulence with a dose of reality. Yet, it’s not all heavy it’s punctuated by playful juxtapositions, like a medieval chalice sharing space with glimmering 90s couture.
MUMMY CARTONNAGE OF A WOMAN (1st Century) made of linen, gesso, gold leaf and glass,
MARC QUINN’S 18K GOLD SCULPTURE “SIREN” OF KATE MOSS,
This is more than an exhibition; it’s a sensory experience. Gold isn’t just a material here, it’s a character, shimmering its way through centuries, cultures, and crafts. The layout invites you to lose yourself in its glow, making you ponder your own relationship with this timeless symbol.
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