In celebration of the season of love, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) provided valentines to visitors to place under their favorite pieces.
For the past decade, MIA has handed out heart-shaped notes at its entrance during the week of Valentine’s Day for the “Institute of Hearts.” The event was created for visitors to show their appreciation for the art throughout the museum.
“The idea came from finding a new way for visitors to connect with the art,” Evan Gruenes, the event orchestrator, said. “I think a lot of people have favorites in the galleries, but there isn’t always a way to share that love visually.”
This year, special hearts were made to highlight staff favorites.
Walking through the galleries, piles of hearts are scattered under the museum’s most popular pieces. Last year, Raffaelo Monti’s “Veiled Lady” and “Yamantaka Mandala” by the Monks of the Gyuto Tantric University were among the most beloved pieces.
MIA security guard Mary Scott placed her heart under “Ganymede and the Eagle” by Bertel Thorvaldsen. The marble statue depicts the Greek myth of Ganymede, who served as a cupbearer for the pantheon of gods.
“That’s always been a personal favorite, the marble is so stunning,” Scott said. “There’s a lot of different Jupiter pieces here, and that’s the biggest one, so I just feel very drawn to it.”
Throughout the week, MIA hosted a dinner event to celebrate the Institute of Hearts and a themed tour called the Lonely Hearts Club.
“It’s MIA’s most tragic love story, as a fun spin because not everyone is into the lovey-dovey Valentine stuff,” Gruenes said. “It’s nice to have a little bit of something for everyone.”
Another staff favorite was the abstract mixed-media sculpture “Soundsuit” by Nick Cave, picked by Meg Ubel. For nine years, Ubel has volunteered at the MIA leading guided tours for visitors and students, and she has seen many pieces come and go.
Gunnar Gronski, another security guard, said his favorite piece was Richard Parkes Bonington’s oil painting “Rouen Cathedral, Sunrise.”
Gronski said he was drawn to the soft but intentional brush strokes.
“It’s not a super detailed painting, but there’s a lot of work and expression,” Gronski said. “You just get a lot of information about the time of day and the exact moment that the sun is casting the light.”
The event invites visitors to spend time with each art piece and celebrate their fascination publicly.
“I could stand there for a whole lot of time,” Gronski said.
