Reminiscing 2020-- Isabella Gardner Museum

“There are moments which mark your life. Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts, before this, and after this.

Sometimes you can feel such a moment coming.”

— John Hobbes, “Fallen”

It wasn't any ordinary Monday afternoon at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA. It was a Frank Hatch Free Day, inviting whole families and local college students alike to fill the museum's beautiful spaces and inner courtyard to enjoy an immersive day of hands-on art-making and gallery games, live music and performances, and engaging collaborations and conversation projects.

As it also happened to be President's Day, I had the day off from school and I just couldn't miss it! And I guess neither did the hundreds of fellow art lovers who showed up to the Gardner Museum that afternoon. I vividly remember the line that wrapped around the building, and giddy college students (like myself) and jumpy toddlers impatiently waiting to get inside.

But as overcrowded as the Isabella Gardner Museum was on that day, there was also this tangible heaviness that filled the museum's rooms and courtyard. Quiet whispers, far-off gazes, and careful footsteps that moved about the space. I shoudl also point out that this was around a time when we were passively monitoring the slow rise of Covid-19 cases throughout Asia and Europe but couldn’t be bothered with self-monitoring or taking precautions, and wouldn't hear of the first confirmed case in the US for another 10 days.

So yeah, there was a looming sensation in the air. This strange awareness that something was coming. We didn't know when, where, or how long it would last for that matter. But we collectively chose to set aside our worries and embrace the moment. Taking it all in- the art, furniture, flowers, stories, music, convos, and fun with friends.

A whole year later and I am still unable to describe that strange feeling that, I am certain, a number of visitors in the rooms also felt that overcrowded Monday afternoon. But I do hope that the following images will render this ode to the 'old normal' some justice. A fleeting moment after which nothing would ever be the same.

I also hope that this quote from Annie F. Down's new book "That Sounds Fun" helps you as you navigate and internalize the photos.

“We feel something lacking in our lives. We sense that this place in us that used to be filled just isn't anymore, even on our best days. It may just be a squeak sometimes, but other days it is a roar in our ears that something has been lost and we don't know how to find it. And won't be able to find it. But we miss it. Because we know it used to be filled.

What is that thing? What are we missing that makes us feel its loss?”

— Annie F. Downs, That Sounds Fun