New Museum Announces Reopening Date Featuring Fresh Artist Commissions
The New Museum is set to reopen its doors on March 21, marking a significant milestone in its history. This highly anticipated reopening follows a decade of planning, extensive fundraising, and over three years of construction. The expansion doubles the museum’s gallery space, providing a modern venue for artist residencies and community programming.
Expansion Details and Admission
The contemporary art museum, located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, will offer visitors free admission during the reopening weekend. This new expansion encompasses 60,000 square feet and was designed by prominent architects, including OMA / Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas.
According to museum director Lisa Phillips, the facility is ramping up to showcase its enhanced features. The total cost of the expansion is estimated at $82 million. Phillips, who has been at the helm for nearly 27 years, will retire in April, coinciding with the culmination of this project. A successor has yet to be named, as the museum’s board continues its search for a new leader.
Architectural Enhancements
Shigematsu highlighted the focus on interior finishes, ensuring that every detail meets high standards. The expansion is designed to increase natural light and provide new perspectives of the surrounding neighborhood. A full-service restaurant, headed by chef Julia Sherman, will also be part of the new offerings.
Opening Exhibition: “New Humans: Memories of the Future”
Upon reopening, the museum will feature the exhibition titled “New Humans: Memories of the Future.” This showcase aims to explore the impact of technological change on humanity through a blend of historical and contemporary artworks.
- Curated by Massimiliano Gioni, the exhibition includes notable figures like Salvador Dalí and Francis Bacon.
- New works will be featured from artists such as Precious Okoyomon and Pierre Huyghe.
- The collection will also showcase cultural artifacts, including prototypes from Steven Spielberg’s E.T. and the “Alien” franchise.
Gioni remarked on the exhibition’s density, suggesting that museums today can reflect the multitude of images seen in daily life. The show will feature speculative works, including Anicka Yi’s flying machines that are inspired by nature.
Support and Collaborations
The exhibition received backing from the financial technology firm Circle and numerous institutional collaborations. Funds raised will support 16 new commissions, including a series of paintings by Wangechi Mutu based on the short story “Bloodchild” by Octavia E. Butler. Other contributing artists include filmmaker Hito Steyerl and sculptor Camille Henrot.
Gioni anticipates that the exhibition will prompt discussions about the future and unfulfilled possibilities. It represents a bold step into a contemporary exploration of art and technology as the New Museum welcomes its audience back with renewed energy.
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