Say it with (virtual) flowers.
Greek mythology tells that, seeing Aphrodite die the dying Adonis -wounded by a jealous Ares disguised as a boar-, her tears mixed with the blood spilled by her beloved and red roses sprouted from the earth. This is one of the many legends that explain the relationship between passionate love and red roses, because Giving bouquets of flowers has both an offering and a future longing.
For this reason a floral, artistic and virtual initiative recently undertaken by some of the most important museums in the world It seems to us as romantic as it is hopeful: closed until further notice due to the coronavirus, they began to encourage each other and show their love for each other posting photos of floral artwork tagged with the hashtag #MuseumBouquet.
“Dear @americanart, we wanted to brighten your day with these apple blossoms by American painter Martin Johnson Heade. We hope this #MuseumBouquet makes you smile today!” received via Twitter a week ago the Smithsonian Museum of American Art from the New York Historical Society and the Hirshhorm Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Soon dozens of uplifting messages in the form of bouquets by artists from all cultural and historical periods they began to spread through social networks thanks to the effective 'pollination' exerted by the Twitter bird, which flew tirelessly from museum to museum. Also on Instagram there are more than 600 images tagged with the hashtag #MuseumBouquet.
And although the #MuseumBouquet cannot be smelled or felt, the truth is that these small virtual gestures, in addition to encouraging us on a daily basis with their intrinsic visual beauty, remind us of how immense human qualities are. Like the museums were entertaining themselves and entertaining us with the best dozen of 'flowers' possible, the one composed of generosity, gratitude, joy, commitment, cooperation, creativity, empathy, devotion, enthusiasm, resilience, friendship and optimism.
In addition, they are a way to learn about the different pictorial techniques and tastes handled throughout the history of art and to understand how artistic language is one of the most universal that exists, since it appeals to emotions and feelings.
Any artistic expression has a place under the motto #MuseumBouquet: from a Flemish still life painted in the 17th century by Jan van den Hoecke the Elder to an illustration in the Norman Rockwell Museum, not forgetting the new and hypnotic video art, such as Dance Hall Girl, daises by Jennifer Steinkamp shared by the MassArt Art Museum in Boston.
By the way, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao has preferred to do things its own way and, instead of dedicating a virtual bouquet, has sent as #MuseumBouquet nothing more and nothing less (Basque) than the 38,000 flowers of the famous Puppy that guards its entrance. Yes, @MuseoGuggenheim, you have made our day!