The Re-opening of MOMA

[Karl-G]

After an almost three year closure, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will re-open in the remodeled and enlarged facilities this Saturday. It would be nice of some of our members who attend one of the pre-opening receptions this week, or visit early next week, would give us their detailed reactions to the new building.

 

From the pictures the Times has published, some questions occur. How does the six story atrium work? It appears that all the art is lost because of loss of perspective. The paintings look like postage stamp posters. Barnett Newman's "Broken Obelisk" is big, which they need, but it is intended for outdoors. I thought it stood in front of the Rothko Chapel in Texas. Is there an edition of two? Or six? Or did they move it from Texas?

 

Rosenquist's "F-11" is shown stretched out on a wall. Wasn't that intended to wrap around the four walls of a room so you are engulfed by it? Doesn't this change the experience?

 

Is the sculpture garden completed yet? The paper had just a few pieces listed; are there more in place? What is outdoors?

 

How does the permanent collection look upstairs? They added 50% more space; have they added 50% more pieces on display? Which works stand out? Anything new that is especially exciting? Any new acquisitions on display for the first time?

 

Lots of comments from those who have a chance to visit would be appreciated.

[+ nycman]

I'll answer the one question I can. The rest will have to wait until after I can get inside for the members preview.

 

> Barnett Newman's "Broken Obelisk" is big, which they need,

> but it is intended for outdoors. I thought it stood in front of

> the Rothko Chapel in Texas. Is there an edition of two? Or six?

> Or did they move it from Texas?

 

There are 3 "Broken Obelisks" in the world. One is at MOMA, one is at the University of Washington in Seattle, and one is at the Rothko Chapel in Houston.

 

Originally there were only 2 cast in 1967. They were displayed at the Seagrams Building in NYC and the Corcoran Museum in Washington DC. The sculpture immediately met with great acclaim and remains perhaps Newman's best-loved work. The 3rd version was cast in 1969 and that is the one that is in the MOMA collection.

 

MOMA displayed it's "Broken Obelisk" indoors in 2000 during the exhibition "Open Ends". That was the show just before MOMA closed for renovations and it was widely panned. It was an extremely awkward show as you can see in the picture below. You can also see "Broken Obelisk" in the background. Let's hope the new instillation is an improvement over this curatorial disaster.

 

http://www.thecityreview.com/momopen1.gif

 

 

 

> Rosenquist's "F-11" is shown stretched out on a wall.

> Wasn't that intended to wrap around the four walls

> of a room so you are engulfed by it? Doesn't this

> change the experience?

 

Funny you should mention this. "F-111" (the correct title) was also displayed in the disastrous "Open Ends". In the show it was stretched out on a single wall. At that time the curators were denounced as having turned this masterpiece into mere "sectional wallpaper".

 

Evidently they didn't give a shit because it sounds like they've done it again.

 

FYI, "F-111" was recently displayed at the Guggenheim in it's original format...as you stated...on four surrounding walls. It was a real treat to step inside and experience it. Unfortunately it looks like that opportunity won't present itself again in the near future.

[Karl-G]

Thanks very much for the interesting information. I hope you will post your reactions once you get inside. Does MOMA allow non-flash photos?