MoMA

A STORY for Introverts:

For the chronically introverted, what I’m about to suggest probably sounds like a no-brainer but hear me out. MoMA. That’s The Museum of Modern Art for the out-of-towners. Museums are popular options for anyone reluctant to join group outings, so you might ask what makes MoMA different. Well, besides its “celebrity” status and famous pieces, not much, but let’s start there.

Have you heard of Van Gogh? How about Picasso? Matisse? Dali? Pollock? If art interests you, or you’ve ever been forced into an Art History class, at least one of these names will sound familiar. Maybe you’ve poured over images of their work online or in textbooks. I couldn’t begin to number the times Van Gogh’s Starry Night has appeared in movies/TV shows, blogs, and YouTube videos. And if you want to see it in person, it’s currently at MoMA. My jaw might’ve dangled slightly, realizing I was walking up to the real thing. Standing face-to-face with such an influential piece of art was, well, jaw-dropping. As I walked from room to room, other pieces slapped me across the face. I’ve always known artwork of such notoriety must be displayed somewhere, but it’s easy to forget that place is still accessible to the grubby public.

One of the first pieces I recognized was a Jackson Pollock. I’m such a massive fan that I named my cat after him. Seeing three pieces of his work had my heart racing and my tongue tied, like meeting a celebrity crush. I lingered a little too long and gawked openly, but that euphoric feeling trumps any awkward feelings. With that in mind, I’d like to remind everyone that museums are a shared space, and almost everyone there wants a picture of the canvas you’re blocking. You can ogle whatever you want in an art museum, but nobody wants you dead center in all their photos. Be mindful of your surroundings; if your feet feel glued to the spot, consider wiggling them free to allow someone else that great camera angle.

If art doesn’t cause similar reactions of joy for you, that’s okay. Museums don’t require anything from you. I used to believe there was an unspoken expectation on guests entering an art museum: give every piece equal attention and never rush. The truth is, you can skip 99% of what’s in there and spend twenty minutes on one piece, then leave. Obviously, people like to get their money’s worth, but my point is you don’t have to spend any predetermined amount of time on pieces, and you may absolutely skip as much as you want. I always felt so guilty doing that when I was younger! That means the introvert is welcome to plop down on those surprisingly comfortable benches scattered around and just admire the room for an hour. Take your time or don’t, this activity is great when you don’t want to compromise your speed for someone else.

MoMA is five floors of art, so this is an all-day adventure if you want it to be. It’s so close to Times Square (great news for some, gross news for others) you’ve got additional activities and restaurants afterward, albeit touristy options, but only if you want. If you’re a sucker for gift shops like I am, especially in such a prestigious art museum, you’ll love to spend another hour or two wandering the never-ending aisles of MoMA’s gift shop. Sometimes that’s its own adventure for me. Just avoid the pesky workers, which shouldn’t be hard for a professional introvert.

Just-So-You-Know DETAILS:

Maybe you didn’t know, but MoMA has two locations. The one in Midtown Manhattan is by far the better known, but the second location is in Queens. For reference, my visit was to the Manhattan location. Full addresses and hours of operation are accessible on the website, along with the varying prices for seniors, children, students, et cetra. You won’t pay more than $25 to see groundbreaking artwork, and even if you leave after half an hour, well, that’s less than a dollar a minute, and that’s not too bad. Right? Keep in mind, some work is permanent, and some is temporary. Museums borrow collections from all over, meaning your favorite piece might not be there another month from now.

The GIST – Should You Visit MoMA?

Not every introvert enjoys art, so MoMA isn’t for everyone. Having a short attention span might seem like a good reason to avoid all museums, but if you aren’t forking over $100 for five minutes of wandering, it’s worth it. Spend your time in there however you want; stand next to your three favorite pieces for an hour each; relax on the same bench in the same room all day; or reenact those silly movie scenes where they run through museums mimicking portraits and run back out in two minutes. Whatever you do, there’s a bit of peace and quiet for you at MoMA.

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Originally published on June 22, 2022.

MoMA exhibits, tickets, and hours can be found on their site.

Read about another art museum in Denver, the DAM here.