Fuck Off Boomers

This year, the Metropolitan Museum Tilburg has set up two exhibitions: "Fuck off boomers" (May/June) for "youngsters" and "Boomers strike back!" (September/October) for "elders." In short, it's "millennials" and "zoomers" versus "boomers." "Then everyone can express themselves, preferably with a healthy dose of humor!"

Who is who? Initially, boomers belonged to the baby boom generation (1945-1955). But meanings change. Over the years, the term acquired a negative connotation, used to describe the perspective of older individuals and their struggle to understand the values, habits, and technology of younger generations. Boomers are said to have a "conservative" lifestyle, contrasting with the "progressive" ideas of younger generations, the millennials (1981-1996) and zoomers (1997-2012). "Just so you know," writes the museum, "it seems like half of the Netherlands belongs to the boomers, portrayed as incorrigible 'grumps.' But here's where it gets interesting, because boomers also have opinions about the 'youth of today,' viewing them as spoiled and fragile 'snowflakes.' Also not entirely true. Are you starting to see where we're going with this?"

There's plenty of inspiration for two captivating window exhibitions. For "Fuck off boomers!" (Friday, May 3, through Sunday, June 30, 2024), fifteen young artists have been invited: Marit Biemans, Lina van Bussel, Vivienne van den Dungen, Jeroen Geurts, Sabine de Graaf, Robin Kersten, Boris de Leijer, Tom Loois, Myrthe Krepel, Daantje Bons, Vera Meulendijks, Kim Pattiruhu, Ema Vanekova, Erik Veldmeijer, and Roy van Wezenbeek.