Caitlin Flanagan Slams LACMA Redesign as a Threat to Art History

In a recent essay, Caitlin Flanagan attacks the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s redesign, describing the juxtaposition of Sumerian reliefs, black-and-white photographs, and performance art as a “sinister garage sale.” She claims the museum’s embrace of critical theory eliminates traditional hierarchies, preventing visitors from grasping how artistic styles evolve. Museum CEO Michael Govan counters that the institution seeks to generate knowledge by arranging items in categories.

Flanagan recounts three visits over two weeks, saying the experience radicalized her and made her want the museum torn down. She warns that if more museums adopt this philosophy, future generations will lose insight into art-historical development. The piece appears in The Weekend Press’s cultural commentary section.