While celebrities dream of making it onto the Met Gala guest list, artist David Sabastian decided to make his mark on the event in a very different way. He secretly smuggled his own artwork into New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and hung it on the wall of one of its galleries, according to media reports. To keep security from noticing, his accomplice staged an unusual audio distraction: playing a recording of sexual sounds through a speaker hidden inside a baby stroller.
The stunt took place on October 25. Sabastian had prepared a colored-chalk drawing titled The Met 2028. It depicts the famous Met Gala staircase, where celebrities climb the steps while posing for photographers. But beyond the glamorous setting, a very different scene unfolds: people confront police officers in riot gear, while unrest breaks out behind barricades.
Through the artwork, the artist sought to highlight the contrast between the extravagance of one of the world's most prestigious social events and the turmoil unfolding beyond the museum walls. His idea was to show that while celebrities pose on the red carpet, ordinary people are dealing with far more serious problems.
To pull off the stunt, Sabastian enlisted the help of an accomplice, who entered the museum with a baby stroller containing a Bluetooth speaker. As the recording of explicit sounds drew the attention of staff, the artist seized the opportunity to hang his work on the wall, complete with a museum-style label.
Sabastian made no attempt to hide his involvement. He shared a video of the installation process himself and explained why he had chosen chalk: he wanted to make the artwork even more absurd. Comparing himself to Banksy, the artist added that, unlike the famous street artist, he had no intention of hiding behind anonymity. “I'm not Batman. I want you to see me,” he said, making his position clear.
Speaking to reporters, Sabastian also described the museum as a platform that could draw attention to issues unfolding around the world. He said the stunt was intended to challenge the absurdity of the Met Gala and the excessive attention given to celebrities' lavish lifestyles amid global crises.
The artwork's fate after the stunt proved almost as intriguing as the installation itself. According to Page Six, the piece was still hanging on the museum wall on Monday morning. However, other reports citing a museum representative suggested it may have been removed earlier. The Metropolitan Museum of Art declined to comment on the incident.
Photo: Hyperallergic / Instagram
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