From Marcel Duchamp’s famous urinal that shocked traditionalists to the proto street art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, New York City has always embraced the evolution of modern art. It’s no wonder then why New York’s Museum of Modern Art–to the chagrin of the MET–has quickly become the city’s favorite major museum. After all, New York has always been more Warhol and Jasper Johns than Rembrandt and Jan Van Eyck–more proud of Alphabet City’s grit than of the Upper East Side’s social clubs. The Museum of Modern Art–or MoMA–is one of the premier modern art museums in the world. New York Habitat knows a thing or two about MoMA, and even more about the neighborhoods and apartments that surround it.
MoMA New York
Originally founded in 1929, the museum recently went through a massive expansion and refurbishing project that ended in 2006. More than just an addition or touch-up, the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi completely reinvented MoMA’s space, light and overall structure. Since its reopening the museum’s popularity has skyrocketed. MoMA has an excellent permanent collection, including famous works by Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Mattisse and Andy Warhol, among others. Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is housed here, as is Dali’s The Persistance of Memory. MoMA’s collection is so recognizable that one need not be an art lover in the traditional sense to recognize several pieces or be struck by a favorite painter.
While the MET and several other New York museums are essentially free (suggested donations are listed at ticket booths), MoMA’s entry fee is a pricey 20 dollars. Penny pinchers need not worry however, every Friday, from 4 to 8 pm, entrance to the museum is free of charge. Unfortunately, MoMA’s free Friday night is not a wellkept secret, the place can become downright packed. To avoid the crowds show up at 4 o’clock when the majority of New Yorkers are still toiling away in an office somewhere. And if that’s too much of a hassle you can always dish out the 20 bucks.
New York’s Museum of Modern Art is located on west 53rd street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. New York Habitat has a long standing presence in the neighborhood and dozens of accommodations are available again this spring and summer. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9333) is literally 3 blocks from MoMA and has some mod-art touches itself (think whimsical toilet seat and decorative fireplace). This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-1984) is also around the corner from the museum and features a private terrace with plants, veggies and a lot of space. A little further south is the hardwood floors and direct sunlight of this 2-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9895).
Tell us about your favorite work at the MoMA in the comments below.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
The apartment in New York by the moma museum was absolutely gorgeous. we loved it and will be visiting again soon.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I agree we really enjoyed the view and the apartment was very pleasant. I loved the neighborhood and the people were very nice to me. It was great.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Yes, the museum of modern art is one fo the most interesting museum I have ever been to. Starting with the architure of the building one can tell that the experience would be phenomenal.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Last time I visited the this spetacular museum I had a great time. I will make sure to revisit it again when I return to New York.