The MoMA is a Must go for Anybody, be you may Resident, or Tourist
Written: Mar 16 '01 (Updated Mar 16 '01)
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Pros: Pay-what-you-wish Friday evenings. Easy to understand, Informative, User Friendly
Cons: Small place, movie theaters may be stuffy.
The Bottom Line: MoMA is a wonderful place to visit if you never been before. Exhibits are constantly changing, and there is something for everyone. Easy to Understand, User-Friendly Art (tm).
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| soothsayer's Full Review: New York Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) |
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is a fun, stimulating place to come to after work on a Friday, or on a weekend with friends. The Museum is very compact, almost small, but packed within its four floors is an ever-changing array of exhibits (they can only display about 10% of their collections at a time). The MoMA is flexible, displaying Modern masters like Van Gogh, and Picasso, to contemporary works by Hockney, as well as current works by new artists.
The museum was established in 1929 by its first patrons, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Lillie P. Bliss, and Mary Quinn Sullivan. Abby's efforts to establish the museum were initially hindered by her husband, but eventually the two came to an agreement. Today, the museum has grown and expanded a lot (with more growth to come, see below).
MoMA has paintings, drawings, and photographs as you might expect, but it also has a large collection of design and architectural works, and illustrated books. Take for example, "Worksphere" (current until May 22, 2001). The exhibit is about how work affects our lives, and how we can shape our work environments. The exhibit has on display prototypes and working models of various work furniture in the office of tomorrow. There are smartly designed chairs, tables with built-in TV projections, and there is even a popcorn bowl integrated into an Internet TV keyboard. Long gone are the days of cloistered six-foot cubicles, today, we have smartly designed work desks with things integrated to keep us happy - so we can continue working hard, but more comfortably, progress?
Most exhibits that are focused on a specific theme appear well done. You are not crammed with art that one becomes overloaded with information, or left puzzling about a haphazardly done exhibit. Exhibits at MoMA are constantly in rotation, and there is something for everyone, which is exactly what a museum is for, to educate, and enlighten.
Sometimes the first floor has some sort of teaser inviting you enter the museum. At the moment (until May 2001) they have the MaxiMog Global Exhibition Explorer Vehicle with trailer (consider it the ultimate SUV -- www.maximog.com) on display for a few months before it heads off to explore Death Valley, NV. The MaxiMog is perhaps the only vehicle that could explore another planets and still be street legal. Also for car lovers, the MoMA has on display a collection of cars, futuristic, or antique in their sculpture garden every summer.
Also on the first floor is the museum store. Here one can find books on many different subjects, as well as purchase souvenirs, postcards, slides and posters, and many children's books and toys.
Downstairs, the MoMA also has an ongoing film series of new and old films and videos in their two movie theaters. The films can be anything, like they showed the two-hour premier of The Sopranos in one theater, while the other theater had some obscure German video artist. Movie tickets are free with admission, first come, first served. Every day features something different so be sure to check the schedule.
MoMA does not seem content in its current digs and has big plans to expand. The museum will first renovate the sculpture garden, with work completed by summer 2001. It will then close and move to Queens (MoMAQN) for about a year during which Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi will drastically expand MoMA providing it with more than double its current gallery space, a new theater, research facilities, etc.
Additionally, in an effort to reaffirm its commitment to new artists, MoMA has also merged with P.S. 1 in Long Island City (E, F train to 23-Ely Ave, 7, G train to Court House Sq). Every room in this old grade school is a gallery space for new artists. Unfortunately, there is a separate admission to get into P.S. 1.
The MoMA is a fun place, and accessible. Hours are 10.30-5.45pm every day, closed Wednesday, Fridays until 8.15pm. If you do not feel like paying $10.00 per adult admission, consider coming Friday from 4.30pm to 8.15pm where you can pay-what-you-wish. Students, both art school, and high school can obtain a free pass from their art teacher for free admission to MoMA, Otherwise, students, and seniors will have to cough up $6.50. Children under 16 with parent are free.
Recommended:
Yes
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