New York, New York

"For me, visiting New York was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that i will remember forever. Seeing and studying phenomenal art in a cultural city that lives to its own beat, was truly inspirational."

From the 17th to the 23rd of February 2015, I had the opportunity to travel to New York and visit 5 monumental museums; The Metropolitan, The Cloisters, The Guggenheim, Moma and The Frick Collection.

While in the Big Apple, I did all the conventional tourist attractions. On the day I arrived I went up the Empire State building at night which was the most incredible experience, seeing the city skyline lit up by millions of lights. Afterward I ventured to Time Square where saw the streets bussing with people and it began to snow making the experience quite magical.

On the second day I began with the Frick Collection. The Frick collection is housed in the former residence of Henry Clay Frick (1849 – 1919) who bequeathed the residence and works of art over 40 years and the museum was open in 1935. The works of art in The Frick Collection are shown as much as possible as they were in Mr. Frick’s private house and it includes paintings from Holbein to Turner. I have studied the Frick Collection before however had not visited it in real life so seeing the things I had researched and examined was a brilliant chance. It is a great unique space and a monument to Mr. Frick.

I then took a boat cruise around the island and saw the city from the water, seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

Whilst in New York I had the great chance to have a lecture from Carol Duncan, author of the famous ‘Civilising Rituals: inside public art museums’, on Primitive Art and the problems of the civilised and barbaric.

On the third day I started with a walk around the city stopping at Ground Zero and Wall Street. It was an incredibly peaceful and respectful place where I was happy to pay my respects.

Afterwards I visited the Museum of Modern Art. The works of art ranged from 1880 to now and the space reminded me of the Tate Modern. It was great to see monumental pieces of work which I have studied in great detail such as Les Demoiselle Da’vignon however like the Tate I do not enjoy modern museums.

On the fourth day I began with The Cloisters which is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. It is situated on a hill top in Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River and evokes the architectural grandeur of a medieval monastery. I absolutely loved The Cloisters as it incorporated all the iconic art that I adore and building itself giving the collection a sympathetic setting only emphasised this admiration.

Whilst walking from The Cloisters to The Metropolitan Museum, I took a path through the iconic Central Park where it began to snow once more and the experience could not be any more perfect.

Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art which was a dream come true. The MET is an incredibly comprehensive and vast museum which shows objects and artworks from Ancient Greece to modern American painting. Whilst in the museum I had the opportunity to have a lecture from Andrew Hemmingway, author of the famous ‘American Art pre 1940 and the Problem of Art History's Objects’

On the Last day I visited the Guggenheim Museum which was a unique museum with unconventional architecture. I felt the building overshadowed the artwork as I was not completely captivated by the predominant artwork of On Kawara.

My trip to New York is one I will remember for the rest of my life. It was filled with unbelievable opportunity’s which I shall use to influence my art and art historical research.