Read My Pins
February 15 – June 1, 2010
“Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection” features more than 200 pins, many of which became part of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s personal diplomatic arsenal. The exhibition examines the collection for its historic significance as well as the expressive power of jewelry to communicate through a style and language of its own.
“If Albright displayed a sun or ladybug, you could breathe easy; a crab or a wasp meant ‘watch out.’ Who needs brass knuckles when you can walk softly and carry a big broach?” – New York Times Magazine, August 16, 2009
The exhibit accompanies Secretary Albright's latest book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box (HarperCollins). “I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal,” Secretary Albright says in the book. “While President George H.W. Bush had been known for saying ‘Read my lips,’ I began urging colleagues and reporters to ‘Read my pins.’” Both the book and the exhibit explore the stories behind her pins, their political and diplomatic significance and information on their designers.
The Clinton Center is only the second venue to host this prestigious collection. "Read My Pins" premiered in New York at the Museum of Arts and Design on Sept. 30, 2009.
“Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection” has been organized by the Museum of Arts and Design. Generous support for this exhibition was provided by Bren Simon and by St. John Knits for the exhibition book.
