When visiting New York, one thinks of the classics; the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square. All touristic locations that see few locals.
From music to art to movies, New York City’s cultural impact cannot be denied. There’s a reason people travel to the city from all corners of the world!
The Museum of the City of New York takes a moment to recognize the city and the people that have made it what it is today.
When I visited, the bottom floor was dedicated to graffiti. As an art style, I find graffiti to be particularly interesting. Having started in the 1970s, it’s young enough for people to have seen the style’s origin in their own lifetime, and well documented enough to follow the exact cultural impacts of each artist. This exhibit included several pieces from juggernauts of the industry, plus some interactive segments for visitors to make their own art!
The second floor of the museum offers a look into the city’s timeline, with an exhibit that details the major events of the city every decade, an exhibit regarding the city’s history of participating in significant protests, and a highlight of New York icons. I also really liked the music room, which played different New York based artists based on where visitors selected on an interactive map.
Although the third floor was mostly under construction during my visit, it also included my absolute favorite piece in the museum- You Are Here.
This video based art piece involved sixteen TVs arranged in a U-shape in a dark room, and thousands of video clips involving the beloved city. Visitors would feel fully engulfed by the content on the screens as the piece takes them on a guided tour of the city via clips from TV shows and movies that featured each borrough. I’m not always a fan of modern art films, but this work had me feeling a sense of nostalgia and fondness for my city as I watched.
For all the emphasis on New York’s struggles and successes throughout the museum, it does feel incongruous for it to be located in such a beautiful building on the Upper East Side. Still, it’s lovely to look at and be in, and such important history deserves a pretty place to call home.
Make sure to check out the gift shop on your way out- they have some particularly fun souvenir.
Definitely put this one on your list- I was very impressed by my visit!
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