New York's revamped MoMA gives new artistic insights

New York's famed Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) opened its doors on Manhattan's 5th Avenue in November 1929. The intention behind the gallery was both to provide a space to exhibit contemporary artworks, and to enrich the city's cultural scene. Ten years later, the museum moved to 53rd Street, which was expanded in the 1950s and 1960s, again in 1984, and also between 2002 and 2004.

The most recent expansion of the museum was carried out with the intention of filling its galleries with light and air. The project was spearheaded by architects Ricardo Scofidio and Elizabeth Diller, and cost nearly a half billion US dollars. Journalists who had a first glimpse at the new MoMA seemed somewhat underwhelmed, however, with some saying the new spaces lacked soul.

One key intention behind redesigning the galleries is to move artworks closer to audiences. MoMA wants to become more interactive by creating spaces for performance art, audience participation and live discussion. "The real value of this expansion is not just more space, but space that allows us to rethink the experience of art in the museum," says Glenn D. Lowry, director of MoMA.

The Paula and James Crown Creativity Lab One is one new addition at MoMA where artists can explore fresh ideas while interacting with museum-goers. Audiences can even create their own pieces. MoMA wants its audiences to reflect about the meaning of art by participating in the creative process.

To create opportunities for dialogue and exchange, MoMA also wants visitors to meet their artists in residence who stay at the Manhattan museum for the duration of the work. Meanwhile, people will get to interact, not only with artists, but directly with the artworks, as is the case with the sound installation artwork "Rainforest V" by David Tudor, constructed from found objects.

In preparation for its relaunch, MoMA had to remain closed for four months, much to the disappointment of many tourists in New York. During this time, the museum rearranged large parts of its permanent exhibition with the intention of rotating more artworks within the museum, including pieces that have not been shown in public for years. MoMA is set to reopen on October 21, 2019.