 |
|
|
|||||
A new art exhibition in Chicago uses more than 300 works of art to trace the historical origins of the word homosexual, mapping how its shaped our modern perception of queer identity. According to its lead curator, museums around the world have refused to show the exhibition due to the current political climateeven when its offered to them for free. The exhibition, titled The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939, is currently on view at the Wrightwood 659 museum in Chicago through July 26. Its the first time that the exhibitiona passion project of over eight years for lead curator Jonathan D. Katzhas been shown in its entirety. Installation view of The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939, at Wrightwood 659, 2025. [Photo:Daniel Eggert/@DesigningDan] Through sculptures, paintings, prints, and other media from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it explores early, oft-overlooked expressions of queer culture. Further, it examines how the coining of the term homosexual created a binary understanding of sexuality that were still grappling with today. The First Homosexuals sold more advance tickets than any other show since the Wrightwood 659 opened in 2018. But Katz says that after pitching the exhibition to many other museums, hes been faced with one rejection after another. Marie Laurencin, Le bal élégant or La danse la campagne (The Elegant Ball, or The Country Dance), 1913, Oil on canvas, 112 x 144 cm, Musée Marie Laurencin, Tokyo. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] A career in queer studies Katz, who is a professor of queer art history at the University of Pennsylvania, began his career in queer studies during the Reagan administration. When I started, my field was just being born, Katz wrote in a biography for Northwestern University, where he received his PhD. Reagan was in office, AIDS was being instrumentalized by the Right to justify the most odious forms of discrimination, and I had been kicked out of the University of Chicago (among other universities) for pursuing the relationship between art and sexuality. In the decades since, Katz has gone on to teach queer studies at several different universities, including Yale, and cocurated a queer exhibition called Hide/Seek Difference and Desire in American Portraiture at Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Katzs new exhibition is inspired by a question thats followed him throughout his years of research. The minute you go outside of Europe and its colonies, questions of sexual difference assume a completely different meaningwhich is to say that, very often, there’s absolutely no issue associated with same-sex sexuality, and it’s often understood as part of a continuum of sexualities, Katz says. I was interested, therefore, in trying to decenter the assumptions that we have about sexuality by reference to other cultural norms. That’s what motivated this exhibition, as well as a careful investigation of what, literally, the earliest representations look like. The first use of the word homosexual Katzs curiosity led him back to whats believed to be the first-ever use of the word homosexual, found in a letter exchange between two queer activists, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Karl-Maria Kertbeny, in 1868. 1868 Letter. National Szechenyi Library, Manuscript Collection. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] In the letters, Kertbeny takes issue with Ulrichss relegation of queer individuals to its own class of people (or a third sex.). Instead, Kertbeny argued, everyone has the capacity for both homosexual and heterosexual desire. What’s striking is that we use Kertbenys language [today], but we have unfortunately held fast to Ulrichs deeply minoritizing identity category, Katz says. Andreas Andersen, Interior with Hendrik Andersen and John Briggs Potter in Florence,, 1894, Oil on canvas, 128.5 x 160 cm. Under licence from MiC – Direzione Musei Statali della Citt di Roma – Photographic Archive; by kind permission of the National Museums Directorate of the City of Rome ̵ Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] Both before and after Kertbeny and Ulrichss debate, queer sexuality existed on a spectrumand it was captured by countless artists. The First Homosexuals includes works by 125 of them, from well-known artists like Jean Cocteau and the Lumire Brothers to lesser-known creatives like Jacques-Émile Blanche. They were pulled from an extensive list of sources, including both private collectors and institutions like MOMA. Works include an 1820s depiction of men dressed as women on the streets of Lima, Peru; a series of scrolls from Japan in 1850 exploring the sexual education of a young man, whos shown sleeping with both men and women in a variety of positions; and an 1891 photograph showing four women in a romantic embrace. The exhibition is divided into eight sections, each dedicated to peeling back a layer of a story thats largely gone untold in the mainstream. Alice Austen, The Darned Club, 1891, Original glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in, Collection of Historic Richmond Town. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] The final portion of the exhibition is an archway wallpapered with photos of Nazis burning books at the Institute for Sexual Research, the worlds first queer rights organization. Its a dark closing note that reminds viewers of the many archives of queer history that have been purposefully and violently hidden. The idea that everything that flowers over the course of the exhibition can so quickly be destroyed, is, of course, a metaphor for where we are now, Katz says. Since the exhibition opened on May 2, audience reactions have been striking. Its been profound, Katz says. Lots of emotion, tears, real delight, and a sense of a robbed history that’s being restored. Elisr von Kupffer, La danza, 1918, Oil on canvas with painted frame, 197 x 99 cm (framed). [Image: Municipality of Minusio/Centro Elisarion, Claudio Berger (photo)/courtesy Wrightwood 659] A terrible sign for museums For now, though, that history might only be available to a select few. When Katz first began outreach for collecting the art to be included in The First Homosexuals six years ago, he says 80 to 90% of his requests to museums and collectors were rejectedthe highest rate of rejection he’s ever encountered. There were a number of pieces that didn’t come because when you mount an exhibition about the first homosexuals, you know right going in that there are going to be places that just will not want to play with you, Katz says. And that was indeed the case. Ida Matton, La Confidence (The Secret), 1902, Plaster, 65 x 56 cm, Photo: Joel Bergroth/Hälsinglands Museum. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] Since then, rejections have continued to plague the exhibition. Katz has been pitching the finished show to museums around the world for nearly four years, in some cases even offering the exhibition for free despite its multimillion-dollar valuation, he told the Chicago Sun-Times. So far, hes received near-universal rejections, with the exception of the Kunstmuseum Basel in Switzerland, which is currently in talks with Katz to display part of the exhibition at Art Basel 2026. Time and time again, Katz has received the same standard rejection notices from over 100 museums, including the Tate Britain. (The Tate did not respond to a request for comment by publication) Saturnino Herrán, Nuestros dioses antiguos, 1916, Oil on canvas, 101 x 112 cm, Colección Andrés Blaisten, México. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] I wish I knew moreI just get the rejection letters, Katz says. What I hear is, generally, It doesn’t fit our programming, or Were fully scheduled, or some typical excuse. But one director of a major museum, whose name Katz declined to share, did choose to elaborate further. They said to me, It’s exactly the kind of exhibition I want to show, and therefore its the exhibition I can’t show.” In several cases, Katz adds, the initial reception of the proposal was very promising, but it was ultimately turned down, leading him to wonder whether the museums’ boards were issuing the final “no.” In part, Katz attributes this reaction to ahangover from photographer Robert Mapplethorpes 1988 exhibition The Perfect Moment, which was cancelled by the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., after conservative leaders heavily criticized the exhibition for containing homoerotic content. In the midst of the Reagan presidency, federal funding for the arts had become a hot-button issue, especially as it pertained to work that right-wing pundits labeled indecent. Its a period in history that feels like an uneasy echo of the arts scene today, as the Trump administration has moved to dismantle funding for local museums and libraries, canceled National Endowment for the Humanities grants, and blocked federal arts funding from going to artists who promote so-called gender ideology, a vague term that the government appears to be using as a dog whistle for any kind of gender expression outside of the binary. While Katz sent out most of his art loan requests and exhibition pitches before Trump’s election, he says this pattern of rejection is a familiar narrative that’s plagued the museum world for years. Tomioka Eisen, kuchi-e (frontispiece) with artist’s seal Shisen, c. 1906, Woodblock print, 23.2 x 31.6 cm, Tirey-van Lohuizen Collection. [Image: courtesy Wrightwood 659] “It may not be Trump’s horrific politics, but it is still horrific politics,” Katz says. “It’s the age old prejudicial politics that animates the museum world.” More generally, as a queer studies expert who faced repeated instances of institutional homophobia during the Reagan years, Katz feels that the current political attitude toward the queer community is worse than a regression. Tamara de Lempicka, Nu assis de profil, 1923, Oil on canvas, 81.2 x 54 cm, Döpfner Collection, Germany. [Image: Sothebys/courtesy Wrightwood 659] Homophobia was actually bizarrely less naked under Reagan than it is under Trump, Katz says. They still hated us, but they talked about the idea of an inclusive culture. There’s no discourse of an inclusive culture now. There are clearly drawn borders and boundary lines in every sense of the word, and a profound sense of us against them. For museums that are brave enough to speak out, Katz believes there could be an opportunity to build trust with new audiences by choosing to platform queer stories instead of silencing them. I think that museums actually have a remarkable opportunity to build their audience and relevance if they seize it, Katz says. There is a large population that is not a veteran museum-going population that can become a veteran museum-going population by speaking to the social and political issues that haunt this country. That many museums try to avoid that desperately is a terrible sign. What museums need to do is frankly engage with it.
Category:
E-Commerce
After weeks of searching and applying, youve made it to the interview stage, a victory in and of itself. But what happens if you land multiple interviews with different companies at the same time? While its certainly a good problem to have, its still one that needs to be handled with careespecially if one of the companies asks whether youre interviewing elsewhere. But does interviewing with multiple companies make you seem like a more desirable candidateor someone less committed? What if you get a job offer from one company, but are midway through the hiring process at another? These questions are common, and how you handle them can impact not only your chances with each company, but also your reputation in the hiring process. We asked Christian Lovell, founder of Careers by Chris, to weigh in. The benefits of interviewing at multiple places In general, it’s fine, and honestly encouraged to let companies know that you are in interviews with other companies, Lovell says. For one, letting them know youre interviewing elsewhere can encourage them to make their decision more quickly. Heres the thing: Whether youre receiving an offer or not, you want them to make a decision either wayyou don’t want to be in limbo, Lovell says. If they want to hire you, it will push them in that direction. And if you’re not their top candidate, it’s honestly a good thing for them to say, Hey, you know, we’re moving [forward] with another candidate. How to disclose that youre interviewing elsewhere When sharing that youre interviewing with more than one company, you dont have to explain too much, such as which company youre interviewing with or all the details about the other job, Lovell explains. During your interview, you can say something simple like, Im in the final stages of interviews with another company, and I wanted you to know. This might also come up naturally when the company shares the timeline of their hiring process, or when you ask, When can I expect to hear back on next steps? Following up When you’re waiting to hear back about a job, especially from more than one company, its natural to feel eager to follow up. But according to Lovell, the key is doing it the right way, and that comes down to timing and professionalism. Ive seen it happen, and its even happened to me, Lovell says. Someone emails every other day, sometimes every few hours, asking, Do you have a decision? Im super interested. It’s okay to say that you’re interested and that you’re interviewing with other companies. But you dont want to follow up with them so much that you seem desperate. After giving it a week or two, Lovell suggests saying something like: Just to be transparent, Im currently interviewing with other companies and expect to receive a decision within the next week or two. Are there any updates on your end? Sending a message like that once is completely fine. Its professional and respectful, and it doesnt make the employer feel rushed. You can also take the opportunity to reiterate your interest by saying, Youre my top choice because of X, Y, and Z. This helps remind them why youre a strong fit while reinforcing your enthusiasm. If you receive an offer If you receive an offer from one of the companies that youre interviewing with, the first thing to do is celebrate, Lovell says. That is a huge accomplishment. Then the next step would be to request their offer in writing. That way you have something to review, and it also gives you time to check in with the other company or companies youre interviewing with. It is honestly not expected of you to accept an offer on the spot, Lovell says. This might look like, “Hey, can I have the offer in writing?” Or “Can I have a couple of days to review this to make sure that it aligns with what I’m expecting?” Once you’ve done that, it’s a good idea to check in with any other companies you’re waiting to hear back from, especially if one of those other companies is your top choice. You might follow up with a final message that reads: I’m still excited about this opportunity. I did receive another offer, and I wanted to check in and see if there are any updates on your end? This will give them the chance to respond with an offer or let you go as a candidate. Either way, getting an offer, or even getting asked to do two interviews at once, is something to celebrate.
Category:
E-Commerce
Consumer intelligence company Morning Consult has publicly launched a new AI platform that can almost instantly provide detailed insights into its survey data in response to questions posed in plain language. Morning Consult conducts roughly 30,000 interviews daily across dozens of countries, enabling clients to access in-depth information about consumer sentiment toward brands, public figures, political trends, spending behaviors, and other factors critical to their businesses. Historically, extracting and analyzing that data required time and expertise in data analytics and visualizationa challenge for business leaders needing quick answers. “The feedback I kept hearing from C-suite executives was: I don’t want to wait to send this email off and find out the answer after I had to make the decision,” says Morning Consult CEO Michael Ramlet. “I need the data right now, and I need to be able to ask it questions.” With the new platform MorningConsult.AI, business leaders and other users can ask questions such as how a brand is performing in a specific country or how its key metrics compare with competitors over the past year. The AI typically generates answers within seconds, complete with data visualizations. Users can drill down further, filtering results by age, race, or other demographics. Those monitoring fast-changing factors, such as U.S. tariff policies, can revisit the platform over time to track shifts using Morning Consults continually expanding data set. Because the AI internally queries Morning Consults proprietary data, the results shown in graph form are transparent and traceable, avoiding the hallucination issues found in general-purpose AI. “This can’t hallucinate,” Ramlet says. “If there’s not data on that topic, it’s not going to bring you back any data that isn’t relevant to the specific business question.” The platform is fast enough for real-time use during meetings or calls, whether viewed on a large screen or quickly accessed on a smartphone. Michael Stutts, chief brand officer at Dollar Shave Club, says he recently used the AI to generate state-level breakdowns of brand awareness, net positivity, and other metrics, with heat maps produced almost instantly. “Within seconds I had what would have taken untold amounts of time and resources to do,” he says. On a call with a retail partner, Stutts was able to immediately answer a question using the AI, eliminating the need to follow up later after internal consultation. According to Ramlet, the platform continues to improve as AI models grow more powerful. Since its initial release to Morning Consult clients in November 2024, the system has gained the ability to analyze and summarize data in text, thanks to advances in commercial AI. “All of a sudden, in the last four months, we’ve seen just an entirely different level of capability to do that type of comparative analytical analysis,” Ramlet says. Currently in public beta testing, the platform is available to anyone. Ramlet envisions a free version will always exist, making Morning Consults insights accessible to students, small businesses, and others without extensive data capabilities. At the same time, the company is developing more advanced AI agents to generate tailored outputs, such as marketing reports or executive briefings. Just as crucial as the AI, Ramlet says, is Morning Consults proprietary data, which competitors can’t easily replicate. “You can’t go back in time and collect that data,” he says. “And I think that’s the part of this that’s going to be really compellingAI is going to make it easier to use proprietary data sets than in the past.”
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||