One of the things I love most about New York City is its ever-changing neighborhoods and never-ending list of new places to visit. My trip a few weeks ago certainly didn’t disappoint. The New Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Tokyo-based architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa with Gensler (NY), is a seven-story structure…the first art museum ever constructed from the ground up in downtown Manhattan.
The most incredible thing about this building is not so much the architecture (of which I’m certainly not dismissing – I think it’s inspired) but rather its location in The Bowery. The neighborhood in which it proudly stands is nothing but gritty, run-down and to be honest, not really a place you’d want to visit. Before now that is. The contrast in aesthetics is almost too much to comprehend. It’s remarkable.
The architects, who received the commission in 2002, have described the building as “their response to the history and powerful personalities of both the New Museum and its storied site… In the end, the Bowery and the New Museum have a lot in common. Both have a history of being very accepting, open, embracing of every idiosyncrasy in an unprejudiced manner. When we learnt about the history of the New Museum we were flabbergasted by its attitude, which is very political, fearless, and very tough. The New Museum is a combination of elegant and urban. We were determined to make a building that felt like that.”
Unfortunately, the work within seemed a tad unworthy. Although, to be fair I reckon it would take a lot to surpass this building. Oh, and they have a roof terrace with the most amazing views of the city. More pics below, or if you’re really interested check it out online: www.newmuseum.org