On Friday, Feb. 10, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum held an Anti-Valentine's Day party. The “Love is a Monster” event invited people to express themselves and their thoughts on love through art.
The event took place in two areas: the conversation guide wing and the education wing. Registered attendees were able to customize their own free tote bag, create and write cards and take pictures in front of a decorated wall.
The conversation guide included a checklist of art that encourages people to talk with others. For example, one item on the list asks one to find a work of art that reminds them of a friend. Participants are then encouraged to call that friend and describe the artwork to them.
Museum director of education Michelle Word was excited to bring back the event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the name of the event might make it seem like it's completely against Valentine's Day, Word said it serves as a way of “bringing people together around art,” to have conversations and relax.
“The hope is that people just relax, have fun, spend time with friends, make something and look at something” Word said. “It’s also supposed to remind us that we should love ourselves, we should take care of one another and that there’s no one way to love someone.”
Michigan State University alum and museum employee Cate Dombrowski said both the museum and the event, are great ways for people to see art in the community.
Dombrowski said the event can be useful for people who want to express themselves through art, even if their feelings aren't about Valentine's Day.
“I think art is an awesome way to express any emotions, or feelings or ideas that you have,” Dombrowski said. “To provide a space for people to make art is always a great opportunity to express how you’re feeling.”
Mechanical engineering junior Reagan Ferschweiler came to the event because she was interested in seeing everything that the museum has to offer. She took part in tote bag making, writing cards and experiencing the various artworks and genres that the museum was able to present during the event.
Ferschweiler believes that Valentine’s Day is “what you make of it.” Valentine's Day is truly about how people love themselves, she said.
“Love yourself,” Ferschweiler said. “However you feel about Valentine's Day, just have fun on (the day).”
Dombrowski said Valentine’s Day shouldn't just be about people who have partners, and she doesn't think there's one specific way to celebrate it.
“(The event) is kind of a rejection of the idea that Valentine’s Day is only for people with partners,” Dombrowski said. “Love can be all kinds of things: it can be self-love or loving your friends.”
