Though Gallerist is still mourning the loss of Met curator Gary Tinterow to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where he is now director, we’re happy to report that the MFAH has debuted a new series of videos–some with soothing piano music, like superbly made political campaign ads–in which he discusses his plans for the museum and his deep roots in Houston. (Thank you to CultureMap for bringing the videos to our attention.)
Mr. Tinterow is clearly swinging for the fences in his new job, and emphasizes that moving to the MFAH was no step down in the museum world: “For me it’s a horizontal slide in terms of ambition of the institution, ambition of the projects… ambition for the quality and even the quantity of art that I hope to attract and acquire for the museum.”
Can the MFAH truly compete with the Met? Here’s Mr. Tinterow: “The level of quality is absolutely the same between the MFAH and the Metropolitan. The most ambitious exhibition that the Metropolitan might endeavor to mount is similar in quality and scale to the greatest exhibitions that he MFAH has hosted over the years.”
After some color about his childhood in Houston (“I remember sneaking into the Rothko Chapel just before it opened.”), Mr. Tinterow ends with a touch of Southern kindness:
“Should you see me in the galleries or at a members’ event please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and let me know if there is anything else we can do for you.”
Museum directors, start hiring your video teams.
A Message from MFAH Director Gary Tinterow from Museum of Fine Arts, Houston on Vimeo.
