The Newark Museum and MOMA Analysis

Full of energy from the car ride and breakfast adventure in Newark, NJ; I walked into The Newark Museum with excitement and enthusiasm for exploration in a place I was visiting for the first time. After having been greeted by Pat Wessel who was full of energy herself we began our tour.

Our tour began with a brief history of the museum itself as we stood around a model of the museum, which was an artwork itself. Following this we continued our tour with a travel through the museum learning about the institution’s mission of community and education as well as the museums advancements in technology to stay current with the now technology addicted society we live in.

Traveling through the museum as if on a trip through history, beginning with African and Native American Art and continued through the museum until we ended at Contemporary Art. My classmates and I were also taken to visit the science floor of The Newark Museum where we all transformed into young children exploring every corner and full of excitement as new things were discovered.

After parting ways with Ms. Wessel we began to explore the museum on our own, which for some of us ended with a trip to the Tibetan Exhibition before exiting the museum for the day. In all it was an exciting day that ended too soon.

Unlike The Newark Museum, I have visited MOMA before. Upon arriving at the MOMA I had no idea of what to expect for the day. However, once I met Steven Wheeler I knew this was not going to be a typical trip to MOMA.

            Mr. Wheeler an art registrar for the Design and Architecture Department at MOMA started by taking us on a trip behind the scenes of an installation that was happening that day. Although, the staff was not present seeing as they were at lunch this behind the scene view allowed for some interesting knowledge of how an installation takes place. One such example of this knowledge is the fact that labeled pieces of paper designed to resemble the basic forms of specific art works were placed around the room as if a map of the exhibitions layout. Also how MOMA is keeping up with the technology. The later being a similar factor of both The Newark Museum and MOMA.

            After touring the Architecture and Design we were able to tour the rest of the museum. Specifically, focused on a tour Steven Wheeler had planned.

            Both visits have even changed myself as a member of an art audience and artist. These institutions have altered myself as a member of an audience for it has given me the knowledge of what happens behinds the scenes, which will now also be something I will want to know about when visiting museums. As for myself as an artist being altered it has altered my own creation process in allowing me to realize how much knowing about art actually has an effect on ones own art. Also, it has changed my creation process in how my art should aim to make a statement as so many pieces of art in each institution do.

            Furthermore, both institutions were very informational and have me thinking about numerous things. For one how can the institution become more accessible? One way that this can be done is by providing a way for people who do not have the time to get to galleries and museums while they are open a way to do so from the comfort of their homes. Online galleries are seeking to do this in a way. Also, I have been thinking about how one can put together an exhibition with standards that places such as MOMA and The Newark Museum have, without having the amount of space these institutions have. Finally I have been thinking about these institutions relate to the reading for this class. Specifically, the idea that these are male run institutions and their desire to please male audiences.  This does not seem to be the case in either institution whose missions include a great amount of desire to educate as well as please the community.

            In all both institutions are very fascinating. I cannot wait to visit both institutions again. Hopefully, it will be soon.