MoMA
October 24, 2014  |  Collection & Exhibitions, Five for Friday
Five for Friday: Halloween Costume Inspiration from MoMA’s Collection

Five for Friday, written by a variety of MoMA staff members, is our attempt to spotlight some of the compelling, charming, and downright curious works in the Museum’s rich collection.

With Halloween just one week away, I’m turning to MoMA’s collection for costume ideas. If one of these five artworks doesn’t spark your creativity, try browsing through the collection. Dressing up as your favorite artist is also a great option (think Georgia O’Keeffe’s black-and-white ensembles or Pablo Picasso’s striped shirts). Happy Halloween, art lovers!

<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79879"target="_blank">1. Piet Mondrian. Trafalgar Square. 1939-43</a>

Mondrian’s style is instantly recognizable. Wear an all-white outfit and use colored electrical tape to create a De Stijl grid.

Piet Mondrian

<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79933"target="_blank">2. Rene Magritte. The Lovers. Le Perreux-sur-Marne, 1928</a>

Looking for a couples’ costume? Mimic this iconic Magritte by draping each of your heads in two white sheets or scarves.

Rene Magritte

<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=63437"target="_blank">3. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Jane Avril. 1899</a>

Toulouse-Lautrec depicted his muse in various outfits, but this creepy snake-patterned dress is the best fit for Halloween.

ToulouseLautrec

<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79067"target="_blank">4. On Kawara. April 24, 1990. 1990</a>

For his Today series, On Kawara painted one work a day for over 40 years. Wear black and use paint or tape for the white lettering.

Kawara

<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=80934"target="_blank">5. Pablo Picasso. Guitar. Paris, after March 1914</a>

If you have some spare cardboard, tape, and scissors, you can dress as an homage to Picasso’s Guitar.

Picasso

Share your own ideas in the comments section!