PS1 is an exhibition space rather than a collecting institution, MoMA PS1 devotes its energy and resources to displaying the most experimental art in the world. A catalyst and an advocate for new ideas, discourses, and trends in contemporary art, MoMA PS1 actively pursues emerging artists, new genres, and adventurous new work by recognized artists in an effort to support innovation in contemporary art.

PS1 was refreshing in the sense that it was not your standard  walled museum. The installations were so unique and different than we have seen in the museums and galleries so far. My favorite installation was the video piece installed under the wood flooring and seen through a hole in the wood.

The Frick Collection was the one I was most excited about during our pre departure presentations. Aside from the art I was impressed by the book collections that were on view. I wasn’t aware of the amount of literature that The Frick had.

Leonor Antunes (b. 1972, Lisbon, Portugal) creates sculptures that reflect the environment that surrounds them and make reference to the work of lesser-known figures from the history of twentieth-century art, architecture, and design.

The interaction of the artist and child was so fun to watch. The little girl was running between the sculptures stopping to take pictures of the artist. 

Russell Young: Jackie O

Russell Young has long been fascinated by the dichotomy of the myth and reality of the ”American Dream”, which he often personifies as Hollywood glamour in contrast with our “knowing” of the jaded reality of celebrity. As explored in his previous collections Fame&Shame, American Envy, and This Land is My Land, Young transforms cultural icons with his signature silkscreen process, his unique color and often a glittering diamond dust finish. It is a fantastical glorification, simultaneously presenting the viewer with the tragedy of it all; finite beauty and the loss of innocence.

It was very kind of Tom Heman to take the time to walk us through Metro Pictures. To be able to ask a director questions about the relationship between an artist and a gallery was priceless insight.

After seeing Ralph Pucci’s: The Art of the Mannequin I was interested in doing a little research about the mannequin. After reading a few article I started thinking about our fascination with the human figure. The mannequin is merely a glorified coat hanger, yet a version of body manufacturing and production . We are constantly bombarded with idealized versions of the human body but we often obsess over these aspirations rather than what we actually are. There was lot interesting information on the censorship of early mannequins. Like most forms of media the goal is to get the viewer to identify with the mannequin.

Ralph Pucci, “Glamour and youth are still what sells.”

I approached the first museum with the standard check-list. I thought I had to see all the art history masters that fill the walls of the museum. Just a few hours into the first museum I was overwhelmed. I had to leave and sit outside on the steps. There was far too much to see in a day let alone a few hours. However after spending years studying the many artists that were represented in the museum there was finally a connection with all that I have been studying over the last few years.