Since its inception in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art has continually redefined the idea of the museum in contemporary Western culture. Originally conceived by its founders as a place for Modern art to come and go (because what makes up modernism is constantly changing), MoMA, as it is commonly known, established a permanent collection in 1952 and has become the home for some of the greatest works of avant-garde painting, sculpture, film and multi-media art in the world. While MoMA remains true to its roots as a place where new styles of art can circulate, its permanent collection is widely considered the most impressive and diverse assortment of Modern art to ever exist, ranging from late-19th-century van Goghs, Monets and Gauguins to works produced in the present day.
The idea of a Museum of Modern Art was once considered by critics to be an oxymoron. Its very existence posed the question: How can there be a museum (a permanent institution housing the heritage of human civilization) for Modern art (which embodies the ideal of always moving forward and constantly changing)? Rather than shy away from this paradox, MoMA has embraced its contradictory nature by appealing to both the history of Modernism and the legacy it continues to leave in the 21st century.
The Collection
The Museum of Modern Art offers a large collection of masterpieces by famous artists that existed throughout the centuries. Some of the famous paintings in the Museum of Modern Art include Starry Night by Van Gogh, Les Demoiselles d’ Avignon by Picasso and etc. Visitors are allowed to take snapshot of the paintings in the museum. In addition to the world famous painters, it also features works of American artists such as Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.Museum of Modern Art is among the first museum to offers a collection of photography and film. By the late 20thcentury, the museum has the largest collection of photography in the world. Edward Steichen and John Szarkowski are responsible for the managing photography collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Currently, the film archives offer a collection of twenty two thousand films. Four million still films are included in the film archives as well.In the design collection, you can find unique furniture created by Eames, Lazslo and Noguchi. The Bell 47D1 helicopter is also featured in the Museum of Modern Art.
Architecture and Design
MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design was founded in 1932, as the first in the world dedicated to the topic. The department’s first director was Philip Johnsonwho served as curator between 1932–34 and 1946-54. The collection consists of 28,000 works including architectural models, drawings and photographs. One of the highlights of the collection is the Mies van der Rohe Archive.
Renovation
MoMA’s midtown location underwent extensive renovations in the early 2000s, closing on May 21, 2002 and reopening to the public in a building redesigned by the Japanesearchitect Yoshio Taniguchi along with Kohn Pedersen Fox, on November 20, 2004. From June 29, 2002 until September 27, 2004, a portion of its collection was on display in what was dubbed MoMA QNS, a former Swingline staple factory in Long Island City, Queens.
The renovation project nearly doubled the space for MoMA’s exhibitions and programs and features 630,000 square feet (59,000 m2) of new and redesigned space. ThePeggy and David Rockefeller Building on the western portion of the site houses the main exhibition galleries, and The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building on the eastern portion provides over five times more space for classrooms, auditoriums, teacher training workshops, and the museum’s expanded Library and Archives USA Travel Places. These two buildings frame the enlarged Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.MoMA’s reopening brought controversy as its admission cost increased from US$12 to US$20, making it one of the most expensive museums in the city; however it has free entry on Fridays after 4pm, thanks to sponsorship from Target Stores. Also, many New York area college students receive free admission to the museum. The architecture of the renovation is controversial. At its opening, some critics thought that Taniguchi’s design was a fine example of contemporary architecture, while many others were extremely displeased with certain aspects of the design, such as the flow of the space.MoMA has seen its average number of visitors rise to 2.5 million from about 1.5 million a year before its new granite and glass renovation. The museum’s director, Glenn D. Lowry, expects average visitor numbers eventually to settle in at around 2.1 million.
Chief Curators
- Klaus Biesenbach Director of MoMA PS1 and Chief Curator at Large from 2009
- Barry Bergdoll, Chief Curator of Architecture and Design from 2007
- Sabine Breitwieser, Chief Curator of Media and Performance Art from 2010
- Connie Butler, Chief Curator of Drawings from 2005
- Peter Galassi, Chief Curator of Photography from 1991
- Rajendra Roy, Chief Curator of Film from 2007
- Ann Temkin, Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture from 2008
- Christophe Cherix, Chief Curator of Prints and Illustrated Books from 2010
Legacy of Museum of Modern Art
When the Museum of Modern Art opened its permanent home in 1939, the building and location of the museum alone were making a profound statement about the role of art in our culture, and the museum’s place in modern society. Museums were typically (and still are to some degree) grandiose in appearance, considered by many artists and historians to be the secular churches of human civilization; they resembled the classical architecture of the Greek Parthenon, complete with expansive stairways leading up to the entrance, daunting pillars, and cathedral-esquefoyers capable of inducing agoraphobia. Instead, MoMA was wedged between other buildings on a crowded midtown block, the Museum rooted itself into city life and became as much a part of Manhattan as the average apartment or office building. This made it feel more accessible to the public, and far less stuffy or ostentatious than other museums. MoMA has forever changed the way people experience museums.It will not be an exaggeration to say that Museum of Modern Art is a Awesome Place For Vacations.