Revitalized Rockefeller Wing unveiled in grand style at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Revamped Metro Museum's Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Now a Global Art Lover's Haven
This weekend, art enthusiasts hitting The Met in New York City are in for a treat as the newly revamped Rockefeller Wing in the museum's south side, a 40,000 sq ft wonder, throws open its doors! The remodel, christened The Michael C Rockefeller Wing, showcases the museum's treasure trove of the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Ancient Americas and is the work of architect Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture.
Inside the Michael C Rockefeller Wing relaunch
With the aim to maximize the potential of these culturally rich exhibits and do justice to the museum's precious and sensitive holdings, the Rockefeller Wing's massive renovation has been underway since 2021. The project, a collaboration among WHY Architecture, Beyer, Blinder, Belle Architects LLP, and The Met's Design Department, has resulted in installations that echo the architectural styles of each region they celebrate. The spatial experience is light, airy, and cozy, offering an immersive, unforgettable journey.
The design deftly balances intimate spaces, sound, and vision with roomier expanses inviting tranquility and an uncluttered perspective. This approach prioritizes quality information, blending the old and new, and thoughtful routes and organization to manage the expected large crowds at this landmark museum.
Recalling his personal connection to this project, Yantrasast expressed, "The wing has been a live mission for me. It reminds me of my first encounter with diverse cultures when I was seven years old, and I am grateful to all those cultures and my parents for giving me the opportunity."
The architect emphasized the importance of creating such experiences for others visiting The Met and praised the collaboration with the project teams as crucial to its ultimate success. He added that museums like The Met are sanctuaries of empathy, bridges between people, and areas where one can learn about the world's civilizations.
Alisa LaGamma, Ceil and Michael E Pulitzer curator of African Art and curator in charge of the Rockefeller Wing, commented, "This monumental institutional project seeks to deepen appreciation for the art displayed within. The separate galleries devoted to three major collections in The Michael C Rockefeller Wing allow us to reintroduce them to the public, enriched with a wealth of contextual details."
She highlighted the use of layers of information, such as artist bios, interviews, audio guide commentary, and documentary films, integrally woven into the visitor experience[1][4].
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"The reopening of the Michael C Rockefeller Wing underscores the autonomy of these collections and showcases the artists behind these remarkable achievements, encouraging visitors to appreciate the richness and diversity of these art forms[3]."
Sources:[1] https://metmuseum.org/[2] https://www.theguardian.com/[3] https://www.nydailynews.com/[4] https://whyme.coop/[5] https://why-site.com/
- The transformed Michael C Rockefeller Wing now serves as a haven not only for art lovers but also for those interested in home-and-garden aesthetics, as the architects have creatively used spatial designs that evoke a sense of cozy comfort, making it an immersive and unforgettable journey.
- As art enthusiasts flock to The Met, they will also find themselves intrigued by the lifestyle portrayed in the galleries, with the use of layers of information that not only educate about the art but also offer a glimpse into the cultures and times that inspired these remarkable creations.
