Tate Modern's "Frida: The Making of an Icon" criticized for commodifying Kahlo's legacy
By
Laura Cumming
Summary
A scathing review of Tate Modern's exhibition "Frida: The Making of an Icon," which the critic argues commodifies and trivializes Frida Kahlo's legacy by focusing on merchandise, knick-knacks, and tribute objects rather than her actual artwork. The exhibition is criticized for reducing Kahlo to a secular saint and marketable brand, displaying items like tequila bottles, Barbie dolls, and phone cases instead of her paintings.
Source
Twitter / XTate Modern's "Frida: The Making of an Icon" criticized for commodifying Kahlo's legacyobserver.co.ukKey quotes
· 4 pulledFrida is back, commodified into oblivion at Tate Modern.
Come and discover how Frida became an icon, for which read tequila bottles, floral headdresses, phone cases, chunky gewgaws and even the notorious Frida Barbie, her disfiguring monobrow neatly erased.
In a museum first, at least for me, many of these objects are not just in the gift shop but actually on display in the exhibition itself.
Instead, the show dilates upon Kahlo as secular saint: a Day of the Dead altar for Frida, worshipful tributes by...
You might also wanna read
15 homeware buys inspired by the art of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo Museum Expands to Include Sister's Home in Mexico City
The Museo Casa Kahlo has expanded into the former home of Frida Kahlo's sister in Mexico City, transforming the residence known as Casa Roja
Dezeen·7mo ago
LOVE redesigns Sol lager's global identity with archive-inspired illustrations and youth culture focus
Manchester agency LOVE has created a new global visual identity and packaging system for Sol Mexican lager, drawing on the brand's heritage
Creative Boom·7mo ago
Collectible Design's Rise at Milan Design Week Reflects Western Design's Retreat to Luxury Objects
The article analyzes the rise of collectible design at Milan Design Week as a reflection of broader trends in Western design. It argues that
Dezeen·2mo ago
Social Media User Tricks Critics Into Critiquing Real Monet Painting Labeled as AI Art
A social media user posted an actual Claude Monet painting on X (formerly Twitter), falsely labeling it as AI-generated art and asking criti
petapixel.com·1mo ago
Is this the best Morris & Co. homeware collaboration yet? Swyft has given the heritage prints a modern spin, these…
Ideal Home·11mo ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.