The central issue of the new documentary about the Barnes Foundation move is the question of Barnes’s intent, and, drawing that further, what Barnes stood for. Here’s how one of the film’s producers puts it in a Bloomberg story about the documentary:
“It’s a story of David and Goliath,” said producer Sheena Joyce. “Dr. Barnes is David. It’s his idea that’s being attacked by the outside forces.”
Yet Barnes’s idea is rarely discussed or validated for the present day. It is simply asserted as taking precedence over all other “public trust” uses of the art. Barnes’s original idea may be superior to the plan to move the museum. And perhaps the movie makes that argument. But the above clip doesn’t suggest that.
Barnes $25 Billion Art Trove, Boardroom Fight Drive Documentary (Bloomberg)
