Once arriving at the museum, students planned their museum tour. We began our tour with the American artist Jackson Pollock. Students were intrigued by Pollock’s large range of materials and techniques. Students were able to be present in the same space as Pollock’s famous One: Number 31, 1950.
Soon after the students walked to another floor of the museum in which they discovered technical art. Students were able to interact with the art, playing video games. In particular, one student was able to play an interactive videogame in which the walls were the screens where their character was projected. The students were able to hear, see, and be within art.
While visiting MoMA, students were able to observe two famous artists' works. Students saw the original Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. Also, students saw Picasso’s original sculptures.
Most of the work by Van Gogh was familiar to the students from their history and art classes. The students were amazed to be standing just feet away from the work. Students were particularly drawn to the unique brush strokes and techniques that Van Gogh used throughout his different pieces.
A special exhibit was dedicated to Picasso's sculptures. The students were able to observe different techniques that Picasso used throughout the years. For example, Picasso was known for his work within the cubism movement. Students saw Guitar and compared his different pieces within cubism.
After walking through the museum for a few hours, students and volunteers worked up an appetite for lunch. Taking a subway back to World Trade, students walked through the grounds at St. Paul’s Chapel, the oldest church building in Manhattan.
We arrived at French Cafe Gourmand. Students experienced traditional French sandwiches and listening to conversations in French. The students enjoyed buttery croissants and paninis while chatting about the artwork at the museum.
Soon after, we were on our way back to Newark Penn Station. Overall, students enjoyed another successful excursion into New York City at the Museum of Modern Art.
Rita and Paige