Page 162 - The 60.Venice Biennial & MoMA issue of WOA Contemporary Art magazine

WORLD-CLASS ART

AN EDITOR’S IMPRESSIONS OF MOMA
A JOURNEY THROUGH ART

As an art editor, my visit to The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 was
nothing short of a transformative experience. The moment I stepped into these
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) hallowed spaces, I was immediately struck by an atmosphere that was palpably
in New York, founded in 1929 by vibrant with creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity. It was clear that these
forward-thinking art patrons including
Lillie P. Bliss, Mary Quinn Sullivan, were not just museums, but inclusive platforms where diverse cultural, artistic,
and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, was social, and political positions found a welcome home.
established as a challenge to the
conservative nature of traditional The museums’ commitment to sharing thought-provoking modern and
museums and as a dedication to contemporary art was evident in every corner. Each piece seemed to whisper
modern art. Under the guidance of its an invitation, beckoning me to join in a journey of exploration through the
first director, Alfred H. Barr, Jr., MoMA
aimed to educate and engage the art, ideas, and issues of our time. It was a humbling reminder of the power
public with the visual arts of the time, of art to connect people from around the world, transcending boundaries of
aspiring to be the world’s premier geography, language, and culture.
modern art museum.
MoMA quickly garnered public The collection was dynamic, reflecting the vitality and complexity of modern
acclaim, leading to multiple and contemporary art. The museums’ dedication to research was manifest
relocations before settling in its
current midtown Manhattan location in the well-maintained library, archives, and conservation laboratory. These
in 1939. The museum’s structure resources, recognized as international centers of research, underscored the
was innovatively planned by Barr museums’ commitment to supporting innovative scholarship and publications.
to encompass various forms of The exhibitions were a diverse tapestry of thought and expression. “Wolfgang
visual expression, now including Tillmans - To Look Without Fear” and “Umar Rashid: Ancien Regime Change
departments like architecture, design, 4, 5, and 6” were particularly striking, challenging conventional perspectives
film, media, painting, sculpture, and
photography. Growth continued and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. “Signals: How Video
with expansions in the '50s and '60s Transformed the World” was a fascinating exploration of the intersection of
by architect Philip Johnson and a video, art, and social change, offering a unique lens through which to view the
significant renovation in 1984 by evolution of our society.
Cesar Pelli. The works of Reynaldo Rivera, Refik Anadol, Ming Smith, and Pacita Abad were a
Today, MoMA’s vast collection, one testament to the diversity and depth of talent in the art world. The exhibition on
of the most extensive in modern
art, includes around 200,000 works Meret Oppenheim, who earned her place in the history of modern art in Paris in
and two million film stills. Its library 1936, was a poignant reminder of the enduring power of creativity and innovation.
and archives are among the world’s The “Mark Rothko” exhibition was a revelation. The collection, likely the strongest
most significant research centers of Rothko’s work in the country, focused on his extraordinary work from the
on modern art, with over 320,000 1950s. It was a masterclass in artistic evolution, illuminating Rothko’s transition
items and extensive files on more from a Surrealist mode towards his signature color-field paintings.
than 90,000 artists. The museum
also actively hosts exhibitions, The “Body Constructs” exhibition was another standout. It explored how
film programs, and educational modern architects and designers imagined not only new buildings and
activities, catering to a diverse objects, but also the bodies that would inhabit and use them. This gallery
audience, including special community raised important questions of gender, race, and disability that continue to be
segments. prevalent in architectural practice to this day.

162 WORLD of ART