On May 1st, The Whitney Museum of American Art opened the doors to its new home in the meatpacking district. The building, designed by Renzo Piano, hosts more than 50,000 square feet of gallery space, showing a sliver of The Whitney’s permanent collection of some 3,000 artists.
The glass encased museum is bathed in natural light, illuminating the works to their full potential. High, airy ceilings are met with light wood floors, giving the space a feeling that is huge and open, but at the same time cozy and inviting.
Outdoor access on each floor provides beautiful views of New York City, Chelsea, and the Hudson river, while also allowing visitors to appreciate the building’s exterior, sculpture-filled terraces, and outdoor galleries.
For their inaugural exhibition, America Is Hard to See, the museum has curated 8 floors of mixed media pieces that examine the American experience from several diverse points of view. Among the artists featured are notable pieces from Diane Arbus, Jeff Koons, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, to name a few.
With two cafes, a theatre, and a collection that is beyond impressive, plan to spend a few hours here. While the space is sure to be busy in it’s first few weeks, the size makes it impossible to ever feel crowded. It’s our new favorite museum in New York.
Text by Amelia Whitworth © Fashion IQ, 2015