Museum of Modern Art – MoMA
On Friday I thought I might be really adventurous and take the subway downtown to the Museum of Modern Art or MoMA.
The subway was a piece of cake – much easier than I had thought. Although the terminal was unbearably hot – even more so than my dorm room. And smellier too. Getting off the subway and finding the right place to exit is a little tricky though. Because it is underground, I have no idea which direction I am facing when I get off the train. Then once back up to street level, I have no sense of direction so I end up going the wrong way. Although I’m sure no one has noticed me walking down one side of the street only to realise I’m going the wrong way before I cross the road and walk back down the street on the other side.
Eventually I found my way to the MoMA and I got there at a reasonable time (not early though) and got in pretty quick smart. The museum has 6 levels but the levels are not stuffed with crap so it is pretty easy to see each level in a timely manner. Exhibits began on the second level with contemporary galleries, media and special exhibits. The first exhibit to see on this level was definately my favourite. It was an installation called Waste Not by Chinese contemporary artist Song Dong (how’s that for a name). The installation consisted of various goods belonging to his mother as well as the wooden frame of her house. His mother’s generation abided by the phrase wu jin qi yong, which means waste not. During periods of hardship, items would be used for all their worth and even when virtually useless, kept just in case they could be useful in future. Even in times of economic stability and growth, Song Dong’s mother would continue to stockpile various things like soap, scraps of fabric, bottons, bottle caps, bags and shoes as protection against possible future hardships. Some items she kept for decades. When his father died suddenly, his mother’s penchant for hoarding became even worse as a result of her deep grief. In a last ditch effort to help his mother overcome her loss, Song Dong created the installation with his mother. Sorting through and organising the various items she had collected allowed her to come to terms with her loss and move on. You can read more about it here:
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/961
Another favourite was also on level 2, in the projects gallery (part of contemporary art). This piece was called Measuring the Universe by Slovakian artist Roman Ondak. Beginning as an empty white room, gallery attendants mark Museum visitors’ heights, name and date around the room over the course of the exhibition. It was very cool – I took some pictures and if you look closely, you will see my name. You can read more about it here:
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/980
Level 3 had architecture and design, photography and drawings. The architecture and design was quite good – I particularly liked the chandelier created from cutlery and porcelain plates and cups. Level 4 and 5 had various paintings and sculpture, most of which was quite impressive from a range of well-known artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Finally, level 6 was a special exhibition of various furniture and wasn’t teribly exciting.
After the braving the MoMA gift shop, I decided to go for a walk to Times Square. What a disappointment. Seriously I got there, and I thought gee this looks a little like Times Square – and that’s because it was. It seems much smaller and no where near as exciting as it looks in photos or on tv. There was a shit load of people though. Sooooooooooo busy. New Year’s Eve must be standing room only because I certainly had to fight my way through the masses just to cross the street. The photos I took are from the top of the TKTS, which sells discount tickets to Broadway shows opposite the Palace Theatre. The line is so long that there is actually two lines and they double around each other. Good thing I bought my Broadway tickets online – they may have been full price but I didn’t have to wait.
Peace out.
I found Hayley. Too easy. I had to show Big D and Hollie. Slow learners. However Big D’s excuse was he was looking a lot lower than where your name was. He can talk a lot since he is somewhat vertically challenged.
That squirrel is yet to be located. Are you sure it’s in the photo? What about a hint?
Big D has just read in today’s Sunshine Coast Daily that an Australian woman was arrested for posing nude in the arms and armour department at the MoMA. His heart was a flutter until he read that the woman was 26 years old. Lucky you’re only 24.
Lucky – but it may have been a typo, it is the Sunshine Coast Daily afterall. Hardly quality journalism.