But, the fanfare has also come with some heated controversy before the showcase has even made its debut — and it’s all about billionaires and privilege.
As is often the case with particularly special exhibitions, the museum granted a select group of VIPs special access to see the priceless, 235-foot-long wall hanging. Among them was Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and, more recently, Palantir Technologies — a controversial company at the centre of a consumer backlash against surveillance and defense technologies, including those that power the American immigration crackdown.
Why does anyone care?
Along with a general anti-billionaire sentiment that has exploded amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Trump administration and more, the public is extremely wary, at best, of the tycoons behind the AI gold rush.
The sector has commanded a ridiculous proportion of available capital, credit and attention, and is responsible for the glut of data centers leeching off of public water and electricity supplies while serving as a generally dystopian presence in a multitude of other ways. Though Palantir isn’t strictly an artificial intelligence firm, it offers software that allows companies (and government arms) to integrate and utilize AI more functionally.
Beyond Thiel’s connection to the contentious industry, many are perhaps unfairly speculating that, unlike the swarms of history buffs and museum fans jumping through hoops to gain entry to see the tapestry during its limited loan to the gallery, Thiel has “zero interest” in heritage. The Guardian notes that he’s not a British Museum donor and claims he has “no known interest” in the attraction. But a quick search shows that he does have ties to the art world, primarily as an investor in online art marketplace Artsy and now-shuttered art rental site, Artify.it.
The ultra wealthy generally are not strangers to private museum visits and exclusive events, which are a well known way for institutions to solicit donations and/or press. The reality is that money and the social influence that comes with it tend to be able to buy experiences and lifestyles average people will never be able to reach.
Thiel also wasn’t the only one permitted early entry before public viewings of the tapestry — which depict the Battle of Hastings — start on Sept. 10, though no other celebrity names have been mentioned, and it has not been confirmed whether he viewed the piece alone or as part of a group.
The Guardian also clarified that “no light hours were taken from the allocation for the public” as a result of Thiel’s visit on Aug. 18, and that the museum extended other preferential perks to certain ultrarich individuals, such as reserved viewing slots, no queues needed, for guests staying at the One Aldwych, a luxurious five-star hotel nearby.
