Back
Entertainment

New Museum Expands Operations and Reopens on Bowery

Generated on: Last updated: 1 sources
View source

New Museum Reopens After Major Expansion, Doubles Exhibition Capacity

The New Museum on the Bowery has officially reopened its doors following a significant expansion. This project adds nearly 62,000 square feet to the institution, effectively doubling its exhibition capacity to approximately 120,000 square feet. The new OMA-designed building, which opened to the public on Saturday, March 21, is designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing SANAA-designed tower, operating as a unified space.

The New Museum's major expansion nearly doubles its exhibition capacity, creating a unified space designed by OMA and SANAA.

A Unified Vision: Integrating Old and New

Architect Shohei Shigematsu explained that the design intentionally focuses on a pair of buildings rather than a single object. The original tower maintains its vertical and introspective character, while the new building introduces horizontal galleries, open circulation, and an outward orientation. The two structures are connected through a series of bridges, shared galleries, and a central atrium, fostering a cohesive experience.

New Features and Public Spaces

The expansion introduces several key enhancements, improving both the museum's functionality and its public engagement:

  • A striking glass-and-metal façade that transforms its appearance with changing light, glowing prominently at night.
  • A new public plaza envisioned for the bustling corner of Bowery and Prince Street.
  • Dedicated artist studios, providing essential creative space.
  • A permanent home for the New Museum’s incubator, NEW INC.
  • Expanded and dedicated education spaces.
  • Versatile multi-use areas for workshops, talks, and various events, described as a "brain" for production and experimentation.

An Enduring Mission: A Cultural Laboratory

Since its founding in 1977, the New Museum has been committed to showcasing emerging voices and new ideas. Expanding beyond traditional exhibitions, the institution now functions prominently as a cultural laboratory, fostering experimentation and critical discourse.

Inaugural Exhibition: 'New Humans: Memories of the Future'

The museum's inaugural exhibition, "New Humans: Memories of the Future," spans both buildings, offering an immersive experience. It features over 200 artists, writers, scientists, and filmmakers from more than 50 countries, exploring the profound influence of technology on human identity. The exhibition intricately connects visions from the 1920s with contemporary discussions on artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and post-human futures, including over 15 new commissions.

Artistic Direction and Public Art Integration

Massimiliano Gioni, the Edlis Neeson artistic director, described "New Humans: Memories of the Future" as a "transhistorical and interdisciplinary project." Outside the museum, a new façade sculpture by Tschabalala Self, titled "Art Lovers," depicts an embracing couple at the junction of the two buildings. This powerful piece symbolizes the project's central idea of connection and unity. Additional commissions are seamlessly integrated into the atrium and other public spaces, further reinforcing the museum's dual role in both exhibiting and actively producing art.