Update: The MFA contends that the $200 fee is for the opening party of the Linde Family Wing, which will include live music, drinks, full catering, performance artists and the ability to view the entire contemporary wing, of which 'The Clock' is a part. Additionally, 'The Clock' will be on view for any person who pays for admission to the museum. New York Times Art Beat is reporting that Marclay's piece was bought by LACMA for less than $500,000.
Artist Christian Marclay's Gold Lion-winning piece, "The Clock," recently made headlines due to the Boston MFA's widely questioned plan to charge $200 for tickets to the piece's first presentation.
Now, Marclay has responded to the MFA's ticket price, releasing a statement saying:
It has always been my express wish that there should be no additional charge to view my work 'The Clock', over and above any general admission price to an institution or any other venue, nor should it be used in connection with the promotion, advertisement or sponsorship of any person or business. This is contractually agreed by all institutions who own and exhibit 'The Clock'. It is my intention that my work be made equally accessible to all.
Marclay's critically acclaimed piece, purchased by LACMA and now purchased by the MFA is described by LACMA as
a 24-hour single-channel montage constructed from thousands of moments of cinema and television history depicting the passage of time, excerpted and edited together to create a functioning timepiece synchronized to local time wherever it is shown. The result marks the exact time in real time for the viewer for 24 consecutive hours.
See three minutes of Marclay's award winning piece below, and to read how the MFA responded check out this article in the Boston Globe.