Monday, Nov. 01, 2004
FREE LEONARDO DA VINCI. No, it's not a movement to spring the 15th century painter from his final resting place in France, but a slogan emblazoned on a badge worn in 1972 by British art lovers in a campaign against entrance fees at national museums and art galleries. They finally won the fight in 2001. One of the liberated institutions, the British Museum, is displaying until Jan. 16 a selection of 240 badges from its roughly 12,000-item international collection. Coins and medals curator Philip Attwood says the exhibition, "Status Symbols: Identity and Belief on Modern Badges," provides "a quirky look at moments in world political history." It explores attitudes about individual and group identity, examines the origin and use of symbols, and shows that badges can (if insults or fists aren't flying too furiously) help create dialogue between people with conflicting views. From their origins with 12th century religious pilgrims to the DON'T ATTACK IRAQ badges of last year's antiwar marchers, the little buttons have long signaled support for, or opposition to, leaders, beliefs and causes. They can also be just for a bit of fun. Along with FREE NELSON MANDELA, SOLIDARNOSC (Polish for Solidarity) and TROOPS OUT, the museum also proudly houses DOWN WITH PANTS and the all-encompassing, albeit nonsensical, GAY WHALES AGAINST RACISM.
- Maryann Bird
- Show Me the Slogan
