The New Whitney
 

I am sorry to say that the new Whitney was a disappointment. The structure is totally utilitarian. The sole flourishes are some terraces which gaze upon crosstown Manhattan, which for some reason do not have the variety and appeal of the nearby High Line. The building and its design lack soul and inspiration and feels as common place as the whitewashed walls of any gallery.

The collection is arranged at the caprice of the curators, which I am sure they can justify. The only thread which binds them are expansive time periods.

If you are a fan of art that depicted the tortured souls and the radicalized masses of the 1930's, then you will be intrigued by the upper floors which are the heart of the collection. There are some Thomas Benton Harts, the important George Bellows painting of the Demspey/Firpo fight, and telling photos by Dorothea Lange and Margaret Burke White. There are, however, some haunting Edward Hoppers.

It was surprising that besides one George Grosz, they lacked the work of other between the wars artists including Dadaists like Max Ernst and Marcel Duchamp, but a museum can only display what they buy or donated.

As someone who does not like and appreciate post 1980 art, It would be unfair to characterize them.

One irony that was not lost that a massive painting of Lee Krassner's "The Seasons" overwhelms the much smaller work of her lover Jackson Pollack, hung across the aisle.

There are many NY museums I would recommend before the new Whitney.

<i>There are many NY museums I would recommend before the new Whitney.</i>

Me too, but I went to the Whitney in May, and I'm glad did. My curiosity was satisfied, and it was fun to see what was new and different in NYC.

HTtY

Despite the fact that all the paintings/sculptures are not our cup of tea we have been delightes by the musuem itself...
It is luminous, you have views, you can go up or down in or out...It's practical...
For us, as iconic thant the Moma and more more usefull than the old Whitney which was dark...
Our only regret : not enough Hoppers...
Erik

Not enough bathrooms? LOL!

We were in Manhattan when the place was first open but figured it would probably be mobbed so spent time elsewhere. Am appreciative of the several perspectives on this thread and suspect we might visit in April 2016 when again visiting.

My wife is a contemporary artist and we are aggressive museum-goers worldwide.

I agree the new Whitney is at the <i>bottom</i> of my list of (major) museums to visit in New York City.

(Of course, the old Whitney was the last on my list as well.)

For alternate points of view, check TripAdvisor which has dozens of posts from folks who, like me, were glad they visited the new Whitney Museum. There is a lot of great American art on display. The museum is located right next to The High Line in a colorful neighborhood, and it is a short walk from the West Village. There are great views from outdoor spaces at the museum, and many good restaurants in the neighborhood. What is not to like?

HTtY

Never liked the old Whitney, but was surprised to thoroughly enjoy my time at the new Whitney yesterday. I liked the views from the various outdoor spots and thought the art was ok to very good. I went out of curious thinking once and done, but I likely will go back at some point.

My appreciation for the new Whitney building was enhanced by seeing the architect, Renzo Piano, interviewed on Charlie Rose (PBS) and reading the architectural reviews in the NYTimes. The collection was never my favorite to begin with but the museum has a new spirit that reflects the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds it. I suggest combining a visit there with a walk on the high line and lunch or snacks in the neighborhood.

Saving this for possible visit in September. A visit could be combined with a High Line walk.

I was wondering what Flora Miller Biddle thought of the new museum and from what I am hearing through the grapevine she and her daughter are on board.

I never really liked the old Whitney on Madison. I only went for the Biennial.

And I will never forget attending one Biennial with my C of E mother and watching the trailer for Gore Vidal's remake of Caligula.

I was sweating bullets and could not look my mother in the eye for two hours afterward.

Thin

I'm curious if anyone has been recently. We might go next Friday when we're in the city during the day, and just curious if it's necessary to buy tickets in advance.

We were there a few months ago and walked right in, no lines at all. We enjoyed the current exhibit as well as Renzo Piano's architecture. It is a much nicer space than
it's former uptown location. On a nice day there are many areas outside to explore and see the views.