MoMA reveals upcoming exhibition series, Architecture Now: New York, New Publics

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has announced the inaugural installation of a new exhibition series titled Architecture Now that aims to showcase emerging talent as well as innovative projects in contemporary architecture. 

The first iteration of the series is titled Architecture Now: New York, New Publics. Through 12 recently-completed projects, the initiative aims to uncover the strategies used by New York City-based practices that have been “actively expanding the relationship of metropolitan architecture to different publics.”

Each project will be accompanied by a video by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Hudson Lines. The installation is organized by MoMA Assistant Curator Evangelos Kotsioris, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design Martino Stierli, and Curatorial Assistant Paula Vilaplana de Miguel. 

The exhibition will showcase the work of Adjaye Associates, Agency—Agency and Chris Woebken, CO Adaptive, James Corner Field Operations, Kinfolk Foundation, nArchitects, New Affiliates and Samuel Stewart-Halevy, Olalekan Jeyifous, Only If, Peterson Rich Office, SO - IL, and SWA/Balsley and Weiss/Manfredi. The featured projects will include metropolitan parks and public pools, local community gardens, and virtual monuments. Together, they intend to exhibit a reimagining of how civic infrastructure is used, as well as new ways of sharing private resources and the potential of new technology to create new spaces for political engagement. 

“The last three years in New York have been marked by the ravaging effects of the pandemic and its aftermath, as well as powerful social and political protests across the city advocating for profound change,” Martino Stierli said. “Can this context catalyze the transformation of civic space and the public realm in New York? How can innovative architecture attempt to redress structural inequities and foster social transformation?” 

“This first presentation of New York, New Publics is an opportunity to look back at the architecture produced in New York during a particularly challenging and traumatic period,” Evangelos Kotsioris added. “Our goal is also to highlight projects and practices that go above and beyond their original briefs to prioritize inclusion and participation in the daily life of the city.”

Architecture Now: New York, New Publics will be on view from February 19 through July 29, 2023.