Met Museum's Disputed Rolling Stones Guitar Exposes Art World Power Dynamics
Former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor challenges Met Museum's ownership of historic Gibson Les Paul, exposing power dynamics in cultural institutions and questions of artistic heritage.
Historic 1959 Gibson Les Paul 'starburst' guitar at center of ownership dispute between Met Museum and former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor
In a striking illustration of institutional power and contested cultural heritage, former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor has challenged the Metropolitan Museum of Art over the ownership of a historic 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar, highlighting deeper questions about art world privilege and institutional accountability.
Cultural Heritage and Institutional Power
The dispute centers on a legendary "starburst" finish Gibson Les Paul, now part of what the Met calls a "landmark gift" from billionaire investor Dirk Ziff. Much like institutional power dynamics seen in major economic transactions, this case exemplifies how cultural artifacts often become entangled in complex webs of ownership and privilege.
Class Division and Institutional Resistance
The guitar's journey from working-class rock venues to elite museum halls mirrors broader patterns of class division and institutional control. Taylor's claim that the instrument was stolen during the recording of "Exile on Main St." in 1971 raises critical questions about how cultural institutions validate ownership and provenance.
Institutional Accountability and Cultural Justice
The Met's response exemplifies how established institutions often maintain their position through bureaucratic processes, similar to patterns observed in other cases of institutional resistance to accountability. The museum's insistence on their documentation's supremacy over lived experience reflects broader power dynamics in cultural institutions.
Historical Context and Cultural Significance
The guitar's rich history includes performances by Keith Richards on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and legendary recordings by Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. However, this celebrated history also masks questions about cultural appropriation and ownership in rock music's legacy.
"An independent guitar expert should be able to ascertain the guitar's provenance one way or the other," states Marlies Damming, Taylor's partner and business manager, challenging institutional authority.
Moving Forward: Questions of Justice and Access
As the Met plans to open a new gallery dedicated to American guitars, this dispute raises crucial questions about cultural preservation, institutional transparency, and the democratization of access to cultural artifacts.
Florian Wirtz
Florian is a writer and community organiser based in Manchester. Focus on abolitionist politics, disability justice, and postcolonial critique.