New Barnes Foundation exhibit focuses on city life

Become a contemporary flâneur

A new exhibit is coming to the Barnes Foundation. "Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie" will be on view from Feb. 25 through May 22.

As a celebration of the new exhibit, the museum will host an opening party on Feb. 24, where attendees will receive an early look.

"Person of the Crowd" features work by more than 50 international artists who have acted as flâneurs. The 19th century term refers to those who walk through the city in order to observe what's happening in it.

Both new work and historical pieces will be on display.

Attendees to the preview party are asked to dress in "historical or contemporary dandy attire" to stroll through the exhibit. Performers will also be walking through.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person. Museum members and students receive a discount.

While there will be lots to see in the gallery, "Person of the Crowd" will extend to city of Philadelphia in the upcoming months. Street performances and street poster projects are planned.

The Barnes Foundation has also commissioned New York-based artist Man Bartlett to create digital artwork exploring themes related to the exhibition and the concept of "cyberflânerie." 

His work will be placed onto a "microsite" and will be projected inside the Barnes Foundation's Annenberg Court. Learn about the project here.


"Person of the Crowd" Opening Party

Friday, Feb. 24
6-9 p.m. | $20-$25 per person
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
(215) 278-7200