Local Highlights

A walk through MoMA this summer

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Whether you love modern art or just have a few hours to kill in Midtown Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art has something to offer. Each floor — 6 in total — exhibits diverse works from renowned artists such as van Gogh, new 21st century photographers, and esteemed art collectors. Not to mention, entry is free for UNIQLO Free Fridays (every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.). It’s no wonder that MoMA claims a spot on every “must-see places in NYC” list out there. Plan your visit with this sneak-peek of the exhibitions in place right now.

1st Floor of MoMA: Sculpture Garden by Peter Fischli

When you first walk in, take a moment to admire the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. As part of the Artist’s Choice series, artist Peter Fischli selected 21 works to place around the garden and outdoor patio. One of Fischli’s own works, Snowman, is showcased in a glass-door freezer.
MoMA garden

2nd Floor of MoMA: Selected Gifts from Agnes Gund

The second floor exhibits an 800-piece collection by a patron of the arts and Trustee of MoMA, Agnes Gund. Representing the depth and breadth of Gund’s interests, the paintings, sculptures, and installations displayed celebrate well-known artists, female artists, and artists of color.

3rd Floor of MoMA: City Dreams by Bodys Isek Kingelez | Being: New Photography 2018

Inspired by the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo from Belgium, Bodys Isek Kingelez (1948-2015), a self-proclaimed designer, architect, sculptor, engineer, and artist, constructed intricate and vibrant sculptures of miniature buildings and cities. Each made with colored paper, bottle caps, and other everyday materials, the eclectic sculptures address serious geopolitical issues such as health crises, authority dynamics, and post-colonial world order.
MoMA bodys
While you’re on the third floor, definitely check out the latest edition of MoMA’s New Photography exhibition. Seventeen different artists, all of who are new to MoMA, explore how people are depicted and perceived in photographs. Many challenge the conventional methods of portraiture, cropping, and fragmenting to shift the perspective of viewers. Near the middle, walk through Carmen Winant’s double wall art, comprised of two thousand images of women in the process of childbirth.

4th Floor of MoMA: The Long Run

The theme here is innovation. These installations prove that innovation is not only a singular event, but it is also the persistent and ongoing experimentation of artists. With familiar names such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol, this gallery aims to show artists’ later efforts (second half of the 20th century) and more expanded possibilities for art. One of the dark rooms features Joan Jonas’ eccentric video and performance installation called “Reanimation,” which we highly recommend!
MoMA Jonas

5th Floor of MoMA: Collection Galleries, 1880s-1950s

By far the most crowded floor, the fifth floor of MoMA displays the museum’s rich collection of classic art, including Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” Henri Rousseau’s “The Dream,” and Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies.” They’re exactly what you expect: captivating, beautiful, and timeless.

6th Floor of MoMA: A Synthesis of Institutions, 1865-2016 by Adrian Piper

With a doctorate in philosophy from Harvard, artist Adrian Piper used conceptual art to ask thought-provoking questions regarding morality, trust, and authority. In 1970, she wrote, “One reason for making and exhibiting a work is to induce a reaction of change in the viewer.” Even after 50 years, her works continue to challenge viewers’ perception of social structures and discuss divisive issues such as racism and sexism.
MoMA Piper
Art plays a huge part in Common’s mission. It elevates every one of our homes, providing the perfect finishing touch to our furnished coliving homes in New York. We seek out interesting and beautiful work for shared spaces, and leave art hooks on the walls in each bedroom because we know art is personal to its beholder. See for yourself: book a tour today.

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