In the wake of the global pandemic and social uprisings, the Chrysler Museum will celebrate the value of community this fall with Come Together, Right Now: The Art of Gathering.

The exhibition features more than 100 works of art drawn from the Chrysler’s collection and digital photography submitted by members of the community. This Chrysler-curated show will give visitors the opportunity to see many works from the Chrysler’s collection that are rarely on view, including photography, paintings, sculpture, and installation works.  Four themes–Together in Celebration, Together in Purpose, Together in Justice, and Together in Love— will display the many ways artists explore the joys and complexities of “coming together” and showcase how communities are linked by activities, celebrations, demonstrations, love, and family.

Come Together, Right Now was conceived in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when people faced unprecedented isolation while also uniting in a struggle to control the devastating disease. The feelings of distance and loneliness have fostered a new appreciation for communities and personal connections.

Together in Celebration

Images of dancing, sports, parties and picnics demonstrate how times of ease, play and celebration draw us together. A Mayan ceramic work showing a ball game, contemporary photographs by Tseng Kwong Chi and Preston Gannaway, and historical works by Oskar Kokoschka and Anthonie Palamedesz present the tremendous breadth of the Chrysler’s collection on this theme. Ritual objects and images of devotion trace the power of faith to draw us together in solidarity around our most profound beliefs and highest ideals.

Together in Purpose

A common cause, occupation, or even war—all these motivations can draw people together or split them apart. The works in this section highlight the theme of purpose as expressed in a wide range of art, including photographs of Russians harvesting, rulers like Nero projecting power, artists celebrating the French Salon, and local artist Maizelle paying tribute to ancestors.

Together in Justice

Civil rights and the cause of justice bring people together in protest, solidarity, and support. This section features historical material and highlights the Chrysler Museum’s tremendous holdings of photography from the Civil Rights Movement. This section will also include a digital presentation of new photography by members of our community. Their images will highlight themes of democracy and depict the demonstrations held in response to the death of George Floyd and the presence of Lost Cause monuments.

Together in Love

Affection and passion are the most intense and positive motivations for coming together.  The artwork in this section will present loving relationships of all kinds and express the boundless, wonderful power of love to draw us together, heal, and restore.