Book Reviews

The Museum of Modern Love

Posted by Aishwarya Chitoor

MINI REVIEW

If you’re also missing art museums like me, “The Museum of Modern Love” is your next read.

“The Museum of Modern Love” revolves around Arky Levin, a film composer who is pulling at strings and trying to make sense of his life. He stumbles upon the art performance of Marina Abramović, who sits with strangers in silence for hours. Many come to sit with her and are skeptical to this experience but everyone leaves stunned and with their question answered. Levin comes day after day to watch Marina, as he does, he is able to work through the cards that this life has dealt him.

I picked this book as a tribute to what I’ve been craving: to be surrounded and bathing in art again. The book skillfully captures the essence of art: why do people even bother to come see Marina sit across strangers for hours? What does it mean? What does it evoke in us? The message is powerful: art reminds us of who we are at our core. I really loved how twisted and complicated the characters were. Arky Levin is raw and emotional and unfiltered. The readers know both his skills and flaws because we are able to view from the lens of multiple characters. It makes the book dynamic and easy to immerse yourself in this experience he is having. Reading this book, I was forced to consider what I found truly valuable and the many ways in which I have been led astray.

Beautiful art will do that to you 🙂