We know them from tv, movies, even cartoons: they’re the big museums of New York City and often the only formal art institution most visitors see. As a result of this fame and audience, their special exhibitions tend to be large, spectacular, and Instagrammable with short snippets of information placed strategically throughout the rooms – less about study and contemplation of a topic and more about keeping people moving through the rooms. It’s a system that’s worked for years, although it can be frustrating for experienced museum goers who get bored with the same display backgrounds, layouts, and writing styles. However, there’s no doubt that many people enjoy seeing and learning this way, if attendance numbers are anything to go by, so it’s not going to change any time soon. And of course, we’ll still go to these exhibitions, because, well, we don’t want to miss out.
DnA_Design and Architecture, Bamboo Theater, HengKeng Village, Songyang, China, 2015. Photograph by Wang Ziling (MoMA 264.2020.3)
Adam Pendleton. Untitled (WE ARE NOT), 2021. Silkscreen ink on canvas, 120×144”. Image courtesy of the artist
Nic Aluf. Sophie Taeuber with her Dada Head. 1920. Gelatin silver print on board. 4 5/8 x 3 3/4″ (11.7 x 9.6 cm). Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin. Photo: Wolfgang Morell
Joseph E. Yoakum (American, 1891 – 1972). Mt Popocatepel of Sra Madre Occidental Range near Mexico City C.M., 1967. Blue and brown ballpoint pen and colored pencil on paper. 12 x 19″ (30.5 x 48.3 cm). Gift of the Raymond K. Yoshida Living Trust and Kohler Foundation, Inc. 1175.2011. Photo: Robert Gerhardt.
Hiram Maristany. Children in the funeral march of Julio Roldán. 1970. Photograph. Image courtesy the artist
Kayode Ojo. You need to prove to me that I can count on you to be loyal. 2021. ASOS Moss London – Gray Velvet Suit Jacket, ASOS Moss London – Gray Velvet Suit Pants, Liberty Imports Heavy Duty Diecast Metal Stainless Steel Handcuffs with Keys Bulk Party Favors for Police Kids Role Play, Vorage Set of 20 Keyrings with Stainless Steel Key Rings, Carabiner Hooks with Key Fob 25mm (Silver), Ikea Tobias Chairs, Clear Amac Boxes, Mirrors. 45¼ x 70⅞ x 23⅝ in. Image courtesy the artist and Sweetwater, Berlin
Robin Graubard. Selection from Peripheral Vision. 1979 – 2021. Digital c-print. 4 x 6 in. Image courtesy the artist and Office Baroque, Antwerp.
MoMA PS 1 (22-25 Jackson Avenue, Queens): Greater New York 2021 (October 7, 2021 – April 22, 2022)
We happen to be big fans of the smaller museum: with a focused approach to their holdings and mission; innovative ways curators, exhibition designers, and research staff bring exhibitions to life; and educating visitors of all ages; visiting always makes for a memorable experience.
Photograph, E. McKnight Kauffer, ca. 1920; Photograph by Maud B. Davis; Gelatin silver print; 20.3 × 15.2 cm (8 × 6 in.); Simon Rendall Collection; Photo: Hugh Gilbert
Poster, Soaring to Success! Daily Herald—the Early Bird, 1919; Designed by E. McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890–1954); Lithograph; Published by Daily Herald (London, England); Printed by T. B. Lawrence Ltd. (London, England); Courtesy of William W. Crouse
Room 11: This grand gallery of Italian Renaissance paintings includes work by Veronese. Centrally located is a bronze by Francesco da Sangallo, placed atop a replica of its original base; photo: Joe Coscia. Image courtesy The Frick Collection.
The Frick Collection (75th Street and Madison Avenue): Highlights from the permanent collection on view at the museum’s temporary home on Madison Avenue and 75th Street, while the old location undergoes renovation. If you haven’t seen their holdings before, this current display is a wonderful introduction to one of the best single collector museums in the US. If you have visited the museum in the past, this new display is beautifully done, with pictures grouped by period or artist, allowing visitors to appreciate their favorites in fresh ways.
Official portrait of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg. Courtesy Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Columbanus Parent (17th century) and Antonius Chassé (17th century)
Octo libri Physicorum ad mentem D. Thomae; Commentarius in duos Aristotelis libros De generatione et corruptione; Tractatus in Metaphysicam Aristotelis; Commentarius in quatuor Aristotelis libros De coelo; Disputationes in tres libros Aristotelis De anima
Saint-Amand Abbey, France, 1664–65
Manuscript on paper
Courtesy of Martin J. Gross