The MoMA PS1 in New York | The COMPLETE Guide
Contemporary art has always held up a mirror that reflects the changes in the society. It is important that we collectively promote and foster contemporary artists—more so in the pandemic era, when art has fallen behind due to museums, art galleries, concert halls, and theaters being shut down to adhere to health and safety protocols.
MoMA PS1 is one of the world’s oldest and most important art centers that celebrates contemporary art in all its forms, be it visual art, music, film, theater, and more. It aims to bring modern art to a global audience and helps everyone enjoy art.
Read on to know more about MoMA PS1 and its various art initiatives.
What Is The MoMA PS1?
Founded in 1971 by well-known curator Alanna Heiss, MoMA PS1 was originally known as the Institute for Art and Urban Resources. It held its exhibitions at abandoned venues across New York until 1976 when it held its first big exhibition titled “Rooms” in its current location at 22-25 Jackson Avenue at Queens in New York.
The Institute for Art and Urban Resources then became known as the PS1 Contemporary Art Center. PS1 stands for “Public School One”, as the building where MoMA PS1 is now located was formerly a schoolhouse.
MoMA PS1 is America’s first nonprofit art institution dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, and also one of the largest ones at that. Committed to promoting the most experimental and intriguing contemporary art trends, MoMA PS1 is considered the driving force in the alternative space movement.
What’s So Special About MoMA PS1?
MoMA PS1 offers a fresh and unique take on art exhibitions and invites exhibiting artists to be directly involved with the exhibition, making it different from other leading art centers and institutions. It aims to promote art and creative exploration while providing a venue where artists can express themselves freely through their work. MoMA PS1 has been instrumental in helping new and upcoming artists get recognition by helping them present their work to varied audiences. By making art more easily accessible to audiences, MoMA PS1 has promoted the popularity and encouraged thought-provoking conversations about modern art.
Current Exhibitions
At any given time, you’ll find at least a couple of art shows at MoMA PS1. In case you’re interested in attending any of them, here’s the list of ongoing exhibitions at MoMA PS1:
- RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA: A LOT OF PEOPLE (October 12, 2023–March 4, 2024)
- LESLIE MARTINEZ: The Fault of Formation (November 16, 2023–April 8, 2024)
- AND EVER AN EDGE: Studio Museum Artists in Residence 2022–23 (November 16, 2023–April 8, 2024)
- TEEN ART SALON: A Protospective (November 16, 2023–April 8, 2024)
MoMA PS1 Warm Up
Warm Up is MoMA PS1’s outdoor music and art series that combines musical concerts with an art exhibition and performance art. Every year, it hosts an impressive lineup of musicians, artists, and other performers. Like MoMA PS1, Warm Up invites new and innovative artists from different genres along with established artists from New York and around the world. Warm Up recently held its 24th season in August 2021, making it one of the longest-running music series held within a museum. In light of the ongoing pandemic, the music series was held online and also in person with a limited audience. Some of the musicians who played in its last run include River Moon, Amorphous, Ana Roxanne, Ariel Zetina, and Doss. Art installations by Raul de Níeves, Gregg Bordowitz, and Niki de Saint Phalle were also showcased.
Difference Between MoMA and MoMA PS1
MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is the first museum dedicated to the modern times and is today one of the world’s leading and most influential modern art museums. MoMA houses a diverse and rich collection of modern and contemporary art and holds a number of art initiatives every year, including art exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks, workshops, educational programs, and so on. As mentioned earlier, MoMA PS1 was originally the PS1 Contemporary Art Center. In 2000, the art center became affiliated with MoMA, which led to its rechristening as “MoMA PS1.”
You'll also love this:
