My weekend in the Big Apple
The hub of the art world shifted from Paris to New York City during WWII. Many artists were fleeing from Europe and immigrated to NYC, and there was a shift in the type of art being made during this time. This history is reflected in the number of museums and galleries you can find across NYC neighbourhoods. This makes it the perfect trip for a weekend full of art!
NYC is such an enormous city that walking one block is exhausting! Luckily, all the galleries and museums are clustered together in their respective neighbourhoods. I decided to go to New York because I needed a quick escape from day-to-day life (without using too many vacation days). It’s also important for me to have these independent adventures and build my confidence. Secondly, I heard about The Photography Art Show presented by AIPAD. For those who love photography this is a great way to experience art from across the U.S. and international galleries as well, all in one spot! This is an annual event that I attended it in April 2019. No matter when you go, NYC always has an exciting event on.
I have compiled the areas I visited on my trip along with recommended galleries and museums to visit. I could only do so much in the 4 days I was there.
Museum Mile
Along the Fifth Avenue stretch you can find most of the big name museums. I don’t recommend doing all of them on the same day though as you don’t want museum fatigue to ruin the experience.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Don’t be frightened by all the people! I went when in the morning and one of the most magical moments for me was having an entire room of Degas’ to myself. You will eventually find yourself alone in a room with incredible works of art.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
North of The Met, some people do and some people don’t like the layout of this iconic museum. I loved it! It was so fun and felt much more seamless than walking through a bunch of rooms not sure if you are following the proper flow of the exhibit. They also put on amazing exhibits. I saw Hilma af Klint and they way she intended her works to be seen felt very appropriate in this space.
Chelsea Galleries
A very swanky area with big name galleries lining the streets like David Zwirner, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Lehmann Maupin. You get the idea. This is the hub of contemporary art in New York City. Not only do galleries line the streets, but there are lots of outdoor works making it a colourful area to explore.
I loved being able to hop in and out of galleries. The art is also incredible. I saw an exhibit on new works by Jasper Johns and learned of artists I wasn’t aware of before – the sign of a successful trip.
And Don’t Forget…
So many galleries to experience that 4 days is simply not enough time! I also got around to some other museums and have included some that I wish I had, but that darn museum fatigue got in the way!
The Met Breuer
I love The Met Breuer. Formerly where The Whitney Museum of American Art was located, it’s an austere building showcasing modern and contemporary art in the Upper East Side. Just off Fifth Avenue, you can easily tag this on with another museum. When you purchase a ticket to The Met you also get access to The Met Breuer and the cloisters in Washington Heights.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
To be honest, I hadn’t looked into what art MoMA had. I just new I should go as it’s one of the big museums. And what a surprise! On every wall and around every corner were monumental works of art. Picasso’s Les Demoiselles. Monet’s Water Lilies. Dali’s The Persistence of Memory. And then there was Starry Night! This is MoMA’s Mona Lisa. It was enrapturing. Overall, highly recommend if you want to be overwhelmed by big names in modern art.
So, if you are looking for a quick getaway and some inspiration in life, NYC is a great option. The Big Apple, City of Dreams, Center of the Universe. There is a bit of art for everyone.
And don’t forget to look down. Art is everywhere!
gonewithlauren 