Day 4: Abstract Art and Jumpin’ Jazz

Overview of Today’s Agenda: Museum of Modern Art and Big Apple Jazz Tour

The day began early at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Today I realized how useful it was to buy a CityPass. When I arrived at the MoMA a few minutes after it opened there was already a line. But because of the priority features of the CityPass I was able to skip all of the lines and get a ticket right away.

I started on the 5th floor with the temporary exhibits. The first one of some Argentine and Brazilian artists didn’t interest me too much, but the Martin Kippenberger exhibit was awesome. This German artist had a wide variety of styles and media. From crucified frogs to eggs to large installations, Kippenberger seemed to cover it all in 44 years of life.

On the lower floors I saw the permanent exhibit which included a large collection of Soviet artists, including the father of Soviet Abstract Art – Wassily Kandinsky. They had a plethora of Picassos, Matisses, Mondrians etc. One artist that I thought was lacking was Salvador Dali (maybe I just missed his gallery). The only Dali that I found was the famous Persistence of Memory. Now after travelling to so many different art galleries over the last three years it has become easier to recognize painters based on the style in the photograph.

In addition to the European modern art they also have a selection of American pop artists like Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Jasper Johns. Unfortunately most of the architecture and design section was closed, so the last section I visited was the photography section. They had an interesting exhibit on the evolution of the photographic and print medium, however their permanent collection of photographs wasn’t impressive.

In between exhibits I stopped in for a late lunch in the MoMA’s cafeteria. I had an arugula salad with prosciutto and blue cheese with an espresso brownie (see right). While their menu was extensive, it was also quite expensive – it was nearly $30 for my lunch! I much prefer the Met’s method of ticketing – allowing you to leave the museum and return later – that way you don’t have to dine inside the museum.

In the early afternoon I headed back to Harlem to meet  the group for the Sunday evening Harlem Jazz Tour organized by Big Apple Jazz. It was a pretty cool tour and the guide was certainly an expert on jazz. We saw three sets of live music at three different .It was great to go to a real jam session where musicians just come and go, nothing really planned. In addition to the music sets we also saw iconic jazz places on and around Lennox Ave including the tree of hope, Minton’s playhouse and the location of the 1958 Great Day in Harlem photograph. This tour definitely gave me a good idea of where to go for some great music next time I visit NYC.