Art Update: The New Whitney Museum Opening

Jasper Johns, 3 Flags, 1958, photo courtesy of the author

We arrived at the opening on the early side and were able to walk through the galleries and see the interior and exterior spaces designed by Renzo Piano. The stunning open spaces and incredible light highlighted the museum's historical collection from the early 1900’s to the present. This ingenious combination of space and light will offer endless possibilities for artists to create new projects in the future.  As the crowds had not yet arrived, we were able to see the sun setting on the Hudson River from the fifth floor. What a glorious experience.

View of the Hudson River, photo courtesy of the author

“America is Hard to See” the title of the inaugural exhibition displaying only 600 works from the museum’s vast 22,000 works now includes artists not born in the US but living and creating their art here. Josephine Meckseper’s vitrines “A Complete History of Post Contemporary Art” and “Tout Va Bien” are stunning examples of this changed policy.

Josephine Meckseper's “A Complete History of Post Contemporary Art”, 2005, photo coutesy of the author

Josephine Meckseper's "Tout va bien", 2005,  photo courtesy of the author

We caught up individually with Adam Weinberg, the Director and Donna de Salvo, the Chief Curator who were receiving the guests and basking in the glow of accolades being bestowed on the “Miracle on the Hudson”.

Donna de Salvo, photo courtesy of the author

The new Whitney Museum is a prime example of a major cultural institution expanding into the 21st century and surmounting it’s massive obstacles with outstanding success.