Saturday sees the opening of the new temporary site of the New York Museum of Modern Art in Queens, where it has moved to whilst building work is carried out on the original building in 53rd Street which will take three years. The new project, curated by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, will double the exhibition space at an estimated cost of 800 million dollars.

Preceded by a symbolic procession-happening across the East River organised by artist Kiki Smith and launched with other projects specially commissioned to contemporary artists, the move will not lower either the quality of the events or their number, in such a way as to maintain the million visitors which fill the museum’s spaces each year. “Our programme is so strong” stated the museum’s director Glen Lowry “that people will come and see us even though we are outside of Manhattan”.

To avoid surprises however the museum has launched a blitz of advertising to explain to New Yorkers and tourists how to reach the new MoMA, in other words the use of line 7 which links Manhattan island with the other area beyond East River. The subway station is Queensboro Plaza, on the corner between 33rd Street and Queens Boulevard is the factory converted into mega exhibition space by architects Cooper, Robertson and Partners which is now known as “MoMA Qns”.

Four exhibitions open 29 June ““To Be Looked At: Painting and Sculpture from the collection” shows work by Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol and others, “Tempo” (until 9 September) brings together contemporary artists from all over the world which explore the concept of the perception of time; “AUTObodies: speed, sport, transport” (until 16 September) shows the collection of vehicles owned by MoMA, including a Formula 1 Ferrari racing car and other recent purchases; whilst as a homage to the area in which the new museum is sited “ A Walk through Astoria and Other Places in Queens: Photographs by Rudy Burckhardt” (until 4 November).

MoMA Qns
33 Street at Queens Blvd
Long Island City, Queens
T +1-212-708-9400
https://www.moma.org/momaqns