Fine Arts And Theater Notes, May 20

There’s a reason why the Met Gala is often referred to as fashion’s biggest night. The event has become synonymous with sartorial showboating, a red carpet where anything and everything can take place. In recent years, it’s become an opportunity for celebrities, designers, and fashion’s most influential figures to try out their most outrageous and daring style whims—which is why the biggest trend of the 2024 Met Gala may have been the most unexpected. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read more: The Best and Most Outrageous Fashion Moments of the 2024 Met Gala On Monday night, as stars and art enthusiasts gathered on the steps of the Met, it was clear that there was a common theme in many of the looks of the night: an affinity for the color beige.

AI deepfakes are a growing issue in arenas from pop music to fine art. On Monday night, the Met Gala red carpet was no exception. After stars began arriving to fashion’s biggest night of the year, multiple AI images of celebrities began circulating online, and in some cases it was difficult to discern what was real. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The first Monday in May is one of the most anticipated events of the year, bringing out many of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion.

The best accessory from the 2024 Met Gala red carpet was all that and a bag of chips—literally. On the first Monday in May, actor Michael Shannon paired his classic tuxedo with a cheeky handbag from Balenciaga that resembled a bag of potato chips. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read more: The Best and Most Outrageous Fashion Moments of the 2024 Met Gala The bag, which is meant to look like a crumpled, nearly empty container of chips, is actually made of glossy calfskin and comes in three different colorways or “flavors”: yellow for cheese and onion, red for chili pepper, and blue for salt and vinegar.

Picket signs, smoke bombs and flares almost mingled with cameras and excited fans as scores of pro-Palestinian protesters tried to make their way to the Met Gala Monday evening to disrupt the lavish affair in New York City. While celebrities made their fashionable entrances on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), hundreds of protesters convened outside of Hunter College as part of the “Citywide Day of Rage,” where schools across NYC took part in demonstrations protesting Israel’s continued onslaught on Gaza, according to footage shared by reporter Katie Smith on X (Hunter College is roughly 1.2 miles from the MET).

A wise fashion editor once said, “Florals, for spring? Groundbreaking” and on Monday night, it appears that many of the attendees of the 2024 Met Gala took her sage advice. Tonight, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum appeared to be in full bloom, as noteworthy guests like The Bear star Ayo Edebiri, theater producer Jordan Roth, and actor Demi Moore arrived for the event’s red carpet in dramatic floral ensembles that would look at home in any garden. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read more: How Do You Get Invited to the Met Gala?

There aren’t many easier ways to jump a level of fame than by joining a feud. For centuries, audiences have been captivated by juicy spats, from Capulets vs. Montagues to Hatfields vs. McCoys. But modern-day internet culture in particular thrives on bad blood. Studies have found that social media algorithms reward anger and animosity.