NEW YORK — A controversial MoMA exhibit, featuring actress Tilda Swinton sleeping in an elevated glass box, has been revealed to be an intricate campaign aimed at highlighting the plight of the city’s homeless. The piece, titled “Maybe,” is exhibited without accompanying notes, but a MoMA spokesperson revealed its meaning during a special press conference today.
“It’s our policy to not over-explain the work, but due to mounting criticism from advocacy groups accusing us of cashing in on the aesthetic of ‘public sleeping,’ we are pleased to announce our campaign ahead of time.”
The Maybe campaign is aimed at raising both funds and awareness, with the proceeds from the $25 admission fee going directly to charity, while the museumgoers are taught to notice people sleeping in public spaces, a thing big city dwellers have become conditioned to ignore.
“It’s truly eye opening,” said one MoMa patron. “Why, just as I was leaving the museum, I noticed people public sleeping. I must have stepped right over them while I was lining up for the tickets.”
When reached for comment, a representative of the city’s homeless community had positive sentiment for the MoMA/Swinton collaboration:
“I appreciate the themes she’s exploring” said Port Authority Pete, who has been doing his “Homeless, please help” routine for over 10 years to little or no critical acclaim. “The interplay between public and private space, attempting to delineate between the two by shielding her face, being physically present while remaining socially absent, these are things I’ve been struggling with for years.”
MoMA’s announcement has also been welcomed by museumgoers who have long been too scared to admit that they don’t quite get conceptual art.
“Now I get it!” exclaimed one relieved patron. “I never know what these things are supposed to be about, but this totally makes sense. I see homeless guys sleeping all the time, but I never really thought about it before.”
