The reopening of the Marcel Breuer’s former Whitney Museum building – which will be henceforth known as The Met Breuer – heralds a new beginning for the mammoth arts institution. Dedicated to modern and contemporary art covering the period from 1900 up to present day, The Met Breuer has returned the iconic building back to its former glory, removing any traces of ageing over the years with the help of Beyer Blinder Belle. In tribute to the legacy of the building, the museum has incorporated its architect’s name in its official new moniker.
At the museum’s press preview, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's director and CEO Thomas P Campbell said, ‘In deciding to title the building The Met Breuer, we’re choosing to pay homage to architect Marcel Breuer, whose vision and artistry lead to the creation of one of the most iconic and influential works of modernist architecture in New York. It’s been a privilege to occupy this space, especially to have the time between the departure of the Whitney and our own opening today, where we’ve been able to really explore the building and do our part to recapture its beauty.’
With the official opening just two weeks away, The Met Breuer is set to capture hearts and minds with several groundbreaking exhibitions. The second floor space will be dedicated to the Indian modernist Nasreen Mohamedi, chosen not only for her influence on abstraction, but also to articulate the museum’s keen international focus. Featuring over 130 paintings, drawings and photographs, this showcase provides a rarely seen insight into the complex oeuvre of this conceptual artist.
The exhibition set to really ignite excitement, however, is ‘Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible’ on the third and fourth floors. Ranging from Renaissance portraits to still lifes, and abstract compositions from the likes of Luc Tuymans, Robert Rauschenberg, and Yayoi Kusama, this showcase offers a multi-dimensional look at the creative and artistic process in its numerous different forms. Whether interrupted by war, economics or death, the array of unfinished work blurs the boundaries between space and time, while leading viewers to question: when exactly is an art work considered finished?
This new era of the Metropolitan Museum is perfectly encapsulated in a specially commissioned audio work by the Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Luther Adams, which is available to download now. Lasting nine minutes and nine seconds, the two-part composition coincides with the average amount of time it takes to walk from The Met Breuer to the museum’s main hub on Fifth Avenue.
In tribute to the legacy of the building, the museum notably incorporates its architect’s name into its official new moniker. Pictured: the museum’s compact staircase
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s director and CEO Thomas P Campbell said, ’In deciding to title the building "The Met Breuer", we’re choosing to pay homage to architect Marcel Breuer, who’s vision and artistry lead to the creation of one of the most iconic and influential works of modernist architecture in New York.’ Photography: Ed Lederman
For its inauguration, The Met Breuer will present a monographic exhibition on the Indian modernist Nasreen Mohamedi, chosen not only for her influence on abstraction, but also to articulate the museum’s keen international focus
Its third and fourth floor galleries will house ’Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible’ – over 190 unfinished works ranging from the Renaissance to present day
This captivating showcase offers a multi-dimensional look at the creative and artistic process in its numerous different forms
Whether interrupted by war, economics or death, the array of unfinished work blurs the boundaries between space and time, while leading viewers to question: when exactly is an art work considered finished?
INFORMATION
The Met Breuer opens to the public on 18 March. For more information please visit the gallery’s website
ADDRESS
The Met Breuer
945 Madison Avenue
New York NY 1002
-
Seiko and Datsun mark a shared heritage and history with three new limited-edition watchesThe Japanese brands pay tribute to the Datsun 240Z and Prospex Speedtimer in a new collaboration
-
The world’s most exclusive auto show? The Quail is now a hotspot of high-end car launchesThe Quail, A Motorsports Gathering brings a few thousand well-heeled car buyers to a Californian golf course to showcase the latest in luxury and sporting auto design
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café TondoHelmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekAnother week, another flurry of events, opening and excursions showcasing the best of culture and entertainment at home and abroad. Catch our editors at Scandi festivals, iconic jazz clubs, and running the length of Manhattan…
-
The best Ruth Asawa exhibition is actually on the streets of San FranciscoThe artist, now the subject of a major retrospective at SFMOMA, designed many public sculptures scattered across the Bay Area – you just have to know where to look
-
Orlando Museum of Art wants to showcase more Latin American and Hispanic artists. Do you fit the bill?The Florida gallery calls for for Hispanic and Latin American artists to submit their work for an ongoing exhibition
-
The spread of Butter: the Black-owned art fair where artists see all the profitsThe Indianapolis-based art fair is known for bringing Black art to the forefront. As it ventures out of state to make its Los Angeles debut, we speak with founders Mali and Alan Bacon to find out more
-
Steve Martin wants you to visit The Frick CollectionThe actor has appeared in a video promoting New York’s newly renovated art museum
-
'What does it mean that the language of photography is invented by men?' Justine Kurland explores the feminist potential of collage'The Rose,' at the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) in Kingston, New York, examines the work of over 50 artists using collage as a feminist practice
-
Architect Erin Besler is reframing the American tradition of barn raisingAt Art Omi sculpture and architecture park, NY, Besler turns barn raising into an inclusive project that challenges conventional notions of architecture
-
The dynamic young gallerists reinvigorating America's art scene'Hugging has replaced air kissing' in this new wave of galleries with craft and community at their core
