■ Impact: ★★★★☆
■ Space: ★★★☆☆
■ Originality: ★★★★☆
New York City, USA. At the world’s previledge of modern art museums, encountered artworks generating heat for the first time.
Museum of Modern Art, New York (MoMA) must be one of the prestigious modern art museums in the world. This museum has evoked me the interest to artistic world.
When I was in the early 20s, I went to “New York City” and walk around the city all day. When walking around, I have been asked for the direction and time by many people passed by. Then I have passed in front of the MoMA, and found the brochure of “Joan Milo” exhibition and long line of the people in front of the MoMA. I had a curiosity “how his artwork is great”. Then I have purchased the ticket from my tiny money and entered into the MoMA.
Joan Milo’s artworks were great. In addition, I surprised to the “Persistence of the Memory” by ”Dali” in the permanent exhibition. I got something new and different.
However, I have another artwork that I have shocked, it is “David Alfaro Siqueiros”. The title of his artwork is “Collective Suicide”. My first visit to MoMA was the old buildings, its artwork was in the second or third floor, at the back side from the corridor. The people around were very few and I could not move, in front of this painting.
Its painting indicates a human pattern with an amazing color and precise brushstroke. I caught to the details after looking around the whole part. I do not remember clearly that there is an explanation for its painting. However I have felt something politics, history, human humility and ferocious, agitating inside.
When I try to understand the history of Latin America, I cannot ignore the fact that Spain invaded the region. When I think about Latin America, I recall “A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies” by Las Casas and “The Autumn of the Patriarch” by García Márquez. These images may connect to how I felt about this work. I have rarely seen his works in museums in Japan or Europe, but I strongly hope many people will have a chance to see them.
Let me go back to the story of MoMA. It opened in 1929 and at first it used a temporary building. In 1939 it moved to its current location on 53rd Street. After that the museum went through several expansions and renovations. In 2005 it had a major renewal and a Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi designed it. In 2019 the museum updated its exhibition spaces again. The building has six floors and the lobby has a large open space that reaches the upper floors.
When I visited in 2025, the museum showed special exhibitions on the sixth floor, and permanent exhibitions on the second, fourth, and fifth floors. When I visited in 2016, I did not remember much about the layout or the works. However, in 2025, I felt the true power of this museum again. I think the new layout and the famous works made the difference. I saw “The Persistence of Memory” by Dalí, and works by Van Gogh, Rousseau, Munch, Picasso, Chagall, O’Keeffe, Monet, Miró, Hopper, Warhol, Pollock, Johns, Lichtenstein, and Judd. After I walked through the whole museum, I felt full and very satisfied.
Also, I saw “Collective Suicide” by David Alfaro Siqueiros, which I mentioned at the beginning. The museum placed it in a large room, and the scale gave it strong impact. People stopped in front of it and looked at it very closely, which left a strong impression on me. I first saw this work more than 30 years ago, but the surprise and impact did not fade at all.
Also, when I visited in 2025, the museum showed many works by Japanese artists. As far as I noticed, it displayed the following works.
Miyoko Ito, Mako Idemitsu (Hideo It’s me Mama), Kazuo Shiraga, Tomie Ohtake, Yoko Ono (Bag Piece), On Kawara (Date Painting).
Finally, I will add one point to note. The museum was very crowded. I was almost never alone in any gallery. Today, many people travel abroad, so this may be hard to avoid. If I look for a quiet and special space in a museum, this place may feel a bit lacking. However, even with this point, the collection is truly outstanding. When I visit NYC, I highly recommend a visit to this museum.
Visited in 1988, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2016, 2025
Basic Information
■ Name of Place：MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art)
■ Address : 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
■ Homepage：https://www.moma.org/
■ Others :
1) MoMA is the most crowded museum in NYC, so you may want to plan your visit carefully. It is best to enter right after it opens or just before it closes. When it is crowded, you may not be able to stay as long as you like in front of your favorite works. It is also wise to expect a wait for the café and restaurant.
2) You should allow at least two hours for the visit. If you like modern and contemporary art, you may want to spend three to four hours, including a break at the café.
3) When I visited in 2025, the museum checked bags at the entrance. Staff checked bags in two steps. First, they looked inside quickly, and then they asked me to open it for a closer check.
4) The cloakroom system was very unique. I gave my phone number and handed over my bag. When I picked it up, I told the last four digits of my number, and the system sent my bag to the counter where the staff stood.
