Exploring the Now: A Guide to Current MoMA Exhibitions
Summary
Don’t miss MoMA exhibitions on view now, featuring work by Shana Moulton, Leslie Thornton, Carolina Caycedo, Joan Jonas, and Käthe Kollwitz. Check out Latin American design from the 1940s-80s and see how it redefined modernism. MoMA’s permanent collection also includes iconic female artists like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Reflection Questions
Journal Prompt
As always, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is brimming with exhibitions that spark thought and highlight perspectives often overlooked in the art world. Explore groundbreaking architecture designed with sustainability in mind, thought-provoking work by conceptual artists, and designs that blend nature with innovation. MoMA’s current exhibitions offer something for creatives, environmentalists, and those seeking powerful and diverse artistic expression. From pieces by Shana Moulton to those by Käthe Kollwitz, don’t miss the chance to discover art that resonates with you!
The DesignDash Guide to Current Museum of Modern Art Exhibitions
Shana Moulton: Meta/Physical Therapy
When: Feb 17–Apr 21, 2024
Where: MoMA, Floor 4, The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5644
This exhibition is presented as a multi-chapter narrative and will be accompanied by performances you absolutely must experience. It uses performance, video, and sculpture for the purpose of chronicling the experiences of her alter-ego Cynthia, navigating personal choices and physical limitations.
Leslie Thornton’s HANDMADE
When: Nov 4, 2023–No Planned Closure Date
Where: MoMA, Floor 1
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5653
Leslie Thornton’s exhibition, HANDMADE, explores the intersection of natural phenomena and scientific discovery. Her video diptych contrasts footage of a powerful storm with the meticulous creation of an antimatter research instrument. The piece investigates the hidden, material aspects of science head on, which bridge the gap between theory and tangible results. Thornton’s work blends the thrilling with the ordinary, the beautiful with the unsettling, as she investigates the relationship between the scientific world and the natural forces that shape our universe.
Carolina Caycedo: Spiral for Shared Dreams
When: Until May 19
Where: MoMA, Floor 2, The Donald and Catherine Marron Family Atrium
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5659
Art can spark awareness of environmental threats and showcase alternative, more sustainable ways of living. Carolina Caycedo’s work demonstrates this by highlighting the effects of infrastructure projects like dams on water systems and the communities that rely on them.
Her installation, Spiral for Shared Dreams, incorporates traditional fishing nets crafted by Mexican communities facing environmental challenges. These nets become canvases for depicting elements of nature, mythology, and symbols of resistance. By incorporating traditional craft and symbols of resilience, Caycedo’s work emphasizes the deep connection between communities and nature, reminding us of the importance of protecting both.
Joan Jonas: Good Night Good Morning
When: Until July 6
Where: MoMA, Floor 6, The Steven and Alexandra Cohen, Center for Special Exhibitions
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5367
Joan Jonas: Good Night Good Morning is a retrospective exhibit showcasing the multidisciplinary nature of her work, which blurs the lines between different artistic mediums. Jonas’s career spans decades, starting as a pioneer in performance and video art during the dynamic New York art scene of the 60s and 70s.
Her pieces explore the transformative effects of elements like distance, mirrors, and cameras on perception. The exhibition encompasses drawings, installations, performances, and more. While drawing inspiration from history, Jonas’s work remains rooted in the present, with recent installations highlighting urgent issues like climate change and the interconnectedness of species.
Fuel your creative fire & be a part of a supportive community that values how you love to live.
subscribe to our newsletter
Life Cycles: The Materials of Contemporary Design
When: Until July 7
Where: MoMA, Floor 1, 1 South
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5616
The exhibition Life Cycles: The Materials of Contemporary Design emphasizes the need for empathy and responsibility in design for the sake of all living beings and future generations. It argues that design can be a powerful tool for change, helping restore a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
The exhibition features objects that showcase the full life cycle of their materials, from how they’re sourced to how they can be reused or disposed of responsibly. Designers are exploring innovative solutions, sometimes inspired by traditional methods, to support a balanced ecosystem. Examples include transforming cow manure into speaker casings, creating carbon-neutral building materials from fungi, and even having bees craft honeycomb vases. This exhibition demonstrates that design can be beautiful, functional, and a force for positive environmental change.
While it might not present art in the traditional sense, this is one of several programs we can’t wait to see this year when we visit MoMA in New York.
Käthe Kollwitz
When: Until July 20
Where: MoMA, Floor 3, 3 South, The Edward Steichen Galleries
Learn More: https://moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5625
The Käthe Kollwitz exhibition spotlights an artist who defied the growing trend of abstraction in early 20th-century art, instead choosing to use her work as a tool for social advocacy. Kollwitz’s art focuses on themes of motherhood, grief, and the struggles of the working class, offering a powerful female perspective and a voice for the voiceless. This major retrospective, the first of its kind in a New York museum, showcases her most significant projects alongside preparatory studies, revealing her dedication to both social change and artistic process.
Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980 (en español)
When: Until September 22
Where: MoMA, Floor 3, 3 North, The Philip Johnson Galleries
Learn More: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5698
Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980 is an exhibition that explores the diverse perspectives on modern design in Latin America from 1940 to 1980. The exhibition features a variety of objects, including furniture, appliances, textiles, ceramics, and photographs, that showcase the different approaches to design that were taken during this period.
The exhibition also explores how design was used to reflect and shape national identity during this period. For example, many designers incorporated traditional motifs and materials into their work in an effort to create a unique and authentic Latin American design aesthetic.
This show is a fascinating and informative exhibition that provides a new perspective on the history of modern design. It is a must-see for anyone interested in design, Latin American art, or cultural history.
More Art by Women Currently on View
For women’s perspectives on contemporary art, Frida Kahlo’s Fulang-Chang and I from 1937—a moving self-portrait by the iconic Mexican artist that explores themes of identity and duality. Other works by female artists at NY MoMA include Faith Ringgold’s American People Series #20: Die from 1967, Louise Bourgeois’ Spider from 1997, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Cow’s Skull: Red, White, and Blue from 1931.
While no longer on view, we encourage you to take a virtual tour of the Elizabeth Murray MoMA exhibit from 2006 here. It is a fascinating exploration of her poppy, surrealist-inspired work.
are you a fine artist or photographer?
Permanent Collection Highlights
MoMA houses a world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art. Some must-see works include the following. For more updates on upcoming exhibitions across the country (and worldwide), sign up for our newsletter so you can receive that info in your inbox!
- Vincent van Gogh: The Starry Night
- Pablo Picasso: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon
- Salvador Dalí: The Persistence of Memory
- Claude Monet: Water Lilies
- Andy Warhol: Campbell’s Soup Cans
Design Dash
Join us in designing a life you love.
-
How to Interpret ESG Scores While You Shop, Travel, or Invest
ESG scores rate the sustainability and ethical practices of companies, products, and destinations, but there are limitations to this system.
-
Ukiyo-e Evolution: Japanese Woodblock Printing Then and Now
From its Buddhist beginnings to its modern-day resurgence, the evolution of Japanese woodblock printing reflects its enduring legacy.
-
Central Park Events To Enjoy During Spring and Summer 2024
From Shakespeare in the Park to the New York Philharmonic, Central Park events cater to women of every age and background.
-
The Best Hotels in Nice for Your Retreat to the French Riviera
Whether you’re in the French Riviera on business, with family, or on a solo retreat, these are the absolute best hotels in Nice, France.
-
Tile Patterns to Know as a Designer, Vendor, or Homeowner
Whether a kitchen backsplash, pool surround, or powder room floor, tile patterns are expressions of style, creativity, and personal taste.
-
From Parc Astérix to Montmartre: What to Do In Paris with Kids
Discovering Paris with kids is an enchanting experience that offers a unique blend of education, adventure, and unforgettable memories.
Related Posts
Work-Life IntegrationIntegration Tips for CreativeCreative Entrepreneurs
From involving your kids to rethinking your office's layout, here are
Sustainable Interior Design: Celebrating Eco-Conscious Designers
Prioritizing human health, the natural world, and careful allocation o
From Paris to New York: These Are the Most Stunning Art Deco Apartments in the World
From the iconic skyscrapers of New York City to the beachfront beautie
High Point Hideaways: The Best Airbnbs for Your Market Adventure
From sleek modern condos to vintage homes with a touch of nostalgia, o
Back in Vogue: These Vintage Interior Design Styles Are Everywhere
From Brutalism and Art Deco to Mid-Century Modernism and Swedish Folk,
The Art of Entertaining: Tablescape Inspiration for Fall 2023
Celebrate the harvest and impress your guests with these fall tablesca
POST COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.