Visit the MoMa

While the Met may be closer to Fordham Rose Hill, the MoMa, located on 53rd St. between 5th and 6th Ave, is fairly close to Lincoln Center and is not to be missed!

Every Friday, Target sponsors free admission from 4-8 pm for all visitors. Last Friday, I made the trek out to see what all the buzz was about and I was definitely not disappointed! It was packed with other art enthusiasts and tourists admiring the masterpieces and incredible craftsmanship. At the same time, my friends and I enjoyed trying to determine the artistic value behind a few of the works. It is modern art after all; you certainly will not find any Renaissance paintings here. Compared to the Met, I have to say the MoMa was much more manageable in terms of looking at pieces. The MoMa is six floors, yet I was able to see everything in about two hours.

The permanent collection at the MoMa contains a variety of works done by famous artists. There classics by Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Pollock, and many others. Besides sculptures and paintings, there is a wide variety of contemporary photography as well as architectural models on display. In addition, there are always special installations and exhibitions by visiting artists. Interestingly enough, there was an installation with thousands of wrapped candies that could be taken and eaten in one of the traveling collections. My personal favorite was from the permanent collection: Claude Monet's Agapanthus.

Outside the MoMa, the stream of artistic wonders continues into the sculpture garden. The courtyard in between the museum buildings offers a relaxing refuge full of enchanting sculptures and water fixtures. It is easy to forget you are inside the busy streets of midtown Manhattan.

After exploring the exhibits, be sure to peruse the museum's book store. I had blast with my friends looking at all of the kids' arts and crafts toys as well as the uniquely designed household items. They also sell prints and postcards to remember your favorite pieces.

If you cannot make it on a Friday evening, students with IDs pay only $14 for admission. For more information on hours and current exhibits, please visit the MoMa site.