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Inside the New Whitney

| 24 Apr 2015 | 02:02
    Robert Henri’s 1916 portrait of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who started the Whitney Studio Club in Greenwich Village in 1914, before establishing the museum in 1930.
    Robert Henri’s 1916 portrait of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who started the Whitney Studio Club in Greenwich Village in 1914, before establishing the museum in 1930.
    The inaugural exhibition, America is Hard to See, a sprawling show of more than 600 works from the museum’s permanent collection, is divided into 23 mostly chronological chapters that weave throughout the building’s column-free galleries.
    The inaugural exhibition, America is Hard to See, a sprawling show of more than 600 works from the museum’s permanent collection, is divided into 23 mostly chronological chapters that weave throughout the building’s column-free galleries.
    Large Trademark, a section of the exhibition focusing on Pop art, features work by Claes Oldenburg, Alex Katz and Jasper Johns.
    Large Trademark, a section of the exhibition focusing on Pop art, features work by Claes Oldenburg, Alex Katz and Jasper Johns.
    The conservation room offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and plenty of natural light for the conservators.
    The conservation room offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and plenty of natural light for the conservators.
    Jonathan Borofsky’s “Running People at 2,616,216” in the western portion of the museum.
    Jonathan Borofsky’s “Running People at 2,616,216” in the western portion of the museum.
    Opposite Jonathan Borofsky’s “Running People at 2,616,216,” visitors find uninterrupted views.
    Opposite Jonathan Borofsky’s “Running People at 2,616,216,” visitors find uninterrupted views.
    The stairwell at the center of the building takes visitors between floors.
    The stairwell at the center of the building takes visitors between floors.
    Architect Renzo Piano speaks with members of the press on the fifth floor of the museum in front of Glenn Ligon’s 2009 sculpture “Ruckenfigur.”
    Architect Renzo Piano speaks with members of the press on the fifth floor of the museum in front of Glenn Ligon’s 2009 sculpture “Ruckenfigur.”
    Outdoor terraces, all connected by an exterior staircase, are some of the building’s signature features.
    Outdoor terraces, all connected by an exterior staircase, are some of the building’s signature features.
    Artist Mary Heilmann’s site-specific outdoor installation “Sunset” on the building’s fifth floor outdoor gallery includes colorful chairs and wall hangings that reference the geometric qualities of the museum.
    Artist Mary Heilmann’s site-specific outdoor installation “Sunset” on the building’s fifth floor outdoor gallery includes colorful chairs and wall hangings that reference the geometric qualities of the museum.
    A terrace overlooks Mary Heilmann’s installation, as well as Weichsel Beef purveyors, one of the remaining meatpacking plants.
    A terrace overlooks Mary Heilmann’s installation, as well as Weichsel Beef purveyors, one of the remaining meatpacking plants.

The new Whitney Museum of American Art on Gansevoort Street opens to the public on May 1, with its sprawling views of the Hudson River on the west and the Manhattan cityscape to the east, which are themselves living works of art. With three terraces and an interactive installation on the building’s fifth-floor outdoor gallery—along with floor to ceiling windows throughout—there’s plenty of space in the building to soak in the scenery. The museum’s exhibition “America is Hard to See” takes over the museum through September, with more than 600 works from the Whitney’s permanent collection organized in digestible sections.