Modern art is the art of this generation. It is focused on self-expression, and regardless of your background studying art history, you can appreciate it for the simple fact that it most clearly relates to your culture and life.
The best place in the tri-state area for modern art is the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
MoMA, which reopened in 2004 after a renovation, has a total of eight floors, two of which are the Titus theaters under floor level. It is safe to say that there is something in this museum to please everyone.
The complete collection of the museum is so large that even if every inch of wall space in the building were used, there still would not be enough room to display all the works. Thus, the works on display change regularly.
It is important that people of our generation are aware of how close they are to one of the world’s finest collections of modern art.
MoMA’s floors are filled with legendary and groundbreaking pieces, iconic works of art and fine cinema. Broken up into floors, it is clear that, even within this single museum, there are hundreds of reasons to break off campus for a weekend and sneak into the city.
The sixth floor of the museum usually holds two large special exhibits, but it is currently closed in preparation for the opening of the next exhibits in mid-October and early November.
The bulk of the major, permanent collection can be found on the fourth and fifth floors. The floors are organized chronologically, with the fifth floor holding paintings and some sculpture from as early as the late 19th century to mid 20th century while the fourth floor houses works from the mid-20th century to the present.
Among the works one can find on the fifth floor are van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory” and Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror.”
Covering three massive canvases on the fifth floor, Monet’s “Water-Lilies” is spread across one wall of the room, with three benches in front of it. Allow yourself some time to sit back and enjoy the swirling colors, reflections, and textures of Monet’s pond.
On the fourth floor, in gallery 22 are three works by Andy Warhol, including the famous “Campbell’s Soup Cans” and “Gold Marilyn Monroe.” In the same room, you can also find Lichtenstein’s “Drowning Girl” and “Girl with a Beach Ball,” which are fashioned after modern comic strips. Gallery 22 is devoted to pop art. You can also find works by Jackson Pollack on the fourth floor.
The third floor houses some special exhibits, and the architecture and design gallery. Here one can find a collection of odd items you’d never consider to be art. Included are an iPod, an apple computer, a vacuum cleaner, pens, a Vespa, and a subway sign. Be sure to check out the Italian departures board. If you hang around long enough, you can catch the flight information change on the board.
The second floor houses the contemporary galleries which change regularly. In the atrium, the most prominent work is the “Broken Obelisk.” If you like this work, be sure to look for it from the staircases in the upper floors. You can get a great view from many different angles.
On the first floor, one can find the sculpture garden. The garden is a nice place to sit in on a nice crisp autumn day and is surrounded by beautiful bronze sculptures. The garden is usually closed during inclement weather because it gets slippery, but it is definitely a must-see at the MoMA.
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