Some think selfies should be banned in museums. Others see the potential for art.
Danish art director Olivia Muus is taking a new spin on old portraits by simply putting a smartphone in front of their faces. The result is a collection of photos that make the characters appear to be taking selfies. And now, she's starting to compile them in a Tumblr called Museum of Selfies. They're actually pretty cool.
From the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Muus, who works at an advertising agency in Copenhagen, told The Huffington Post in an email that she was first inspired to start the project when taking a photo of her friend’s hand in the National Gallery of Denmark.
"I took a picture for fun and liked how this simple thing could change their character completely," Muus told HuffPost. "Going to a museum every now and then can be a big inspiration. It was for me."
From the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
However, Muus admitted to not being a fan of taking too many selfies herself, but admits "it has happened a few times, as it does for most people nowadays." Really, Muus prefers Instagram. That’s where she first published the photos before she was encouraged to start a Tumblr.
From the National Gallery of Denmark
Some commenters on Reddit expressed concerned over the damage using flash photography could have on the art (although a myth). But Muus told HuffPost that all the lighting came from the spotlights above the paintings.
From the Hermitage Amsterdam
Muus said she plans to continue the series as she travels and encourages others to submit their own museum selfies to museumofselfies@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can use the hashtag #museumofselfies on Instagram.