New York City’s countless splendours attract visitors in their millions each year. From iconic sights like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty to atmospheric NYC neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, Soho and Manhattan’s Theatre District, there’s always something to do or see in New York City!

But one of the city’s most prominent offerings is undoubtedly its art scene. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum to the Whitney Museum of American Art, art enthusiasts will always be able to find a remarkable gallery in which they can revel. But perhaps the most famous of New York’s array of museums is the Museum of Modern Art – affectionately known as MOMA.

Having opened in 1929 with only eight paintings and a drawing, MOMA has expanded over the years to encompass one of the most impressive collections of modern art. MOMA’s current 100,000-piece collection is comprised of some of the world’s most renowned modern art pieces, including works by iconic American painters Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Visitors can also set eyes on some of the most celebrated international art pieces in the world, including ‘The Starry Night’ by Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’ and Frida Kahlo’s ‘Self Portrait with Cropped Hair’. Furthermore, MOMA’s photography collection is one of the most prominent anywhere, hosting works by important photographers like Cindy Sherman and Andreas Gursky.

But MOMA has retained its importance for more than just fantastic art. The museum’s intriguing architectural landscape and arrangement are also responsible for its acclaim. When MOMA first opened in 1929, it was situated on 5th Avenue – on the site of what is now the Empire State Building; and within the year, the museum had already stood in three separate locations. However, in 1931, it was moved to its current site, between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Between 2002 and 2004, MOMA was closed for renovation while its building was re-designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Taniguchi is the celebrated Japanese architect, also responsible for Tokyo’s Nagano Prefectural Museum and the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum. When MOMA was re-opened in November 2004, Taniguchi’s redesign was initially faced with controversy; however, it has since been upheld as a bold example of contemporary architecture – making MOMA not only one of New York’s most intriguing landmarks, but also a piece of structural art that visitors can enjoy.

If you’re considering your options for travel to New York City, you’ll find a number of airlines that offer direct daily flights to New York from London – so reaching NYC’s countless splendours is easy!

So, if you’re planning a trip to New York City, don’t miss out on MOMA – you’ll see American and international modern art in a whole new light! And because MOMA is located close to the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can experience the best of New York City’s art scene with ease.




By: andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com