Empire City, Gotham, the Big Apple †whatever it is called, there is no doubt that New York City has impacted millions of hearts, minds and imaginations throughout history. The Katonah Museum of Art is showing works of art inspired by New York City in “New York, New York! The Twentieth Century.” Organized by the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., the exhibition features more than 50 works from the Norton collection, including paintings, photographs, sculptures and works on paper, which capture the essence of New York throughout the Twentieth Century. The exhibition is on view from October 2 through December 31.
Including works by Berenice Abbott, Diane Arbus, Stuart Davis, Andreas Feininger, William Gropper, Childe Hassam, Edward Hopper, John Marin, Reginald Marsh and Edward Steichen, among others, the exhibition celebrates the city as muse to photographers, painters and sculptors, encompassing the varied cultures and lifestyles of its inhabitants. Looking back on a century of tumultuous change, this exhibition is divided into five themes.
On the Waterfront: The docks of the Hudson and East Rivers have seen the arrival of industry and immigrants, marking the beginning of a new life for millions of people. The bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens are emblematic of the five boroughs’ consolidation in 1898 into what is now known as New York City.
Avenues and Streets: Fifth Avenue evokes style and society, while power and money are the hallmarks of Wall Street. Sidewalks, storefronts and public spaces reflect the vibrant character of the city’s hundreds of distinct neighborhoods.
In the Park: Artists have long found inspiration in the abundance of life found within the city’s parks. Whether picnicking in the grass or people-watching on a bench, the modern-day flâneur can enjoy nature’s wonders away from the hustle and bustle of crowded urban streets.
On the Town: Teeming with culture and entertainment, New York is a place where there is always something happening no matter what the hour. The kinetic energy of gallery openings, concerts and restaurants are the pulse of the “city that never sleeps.”
Tall Buildings: A view of the top of the Empire State Building above a sea of clouds is the unofficial “welcome” to the city for air travelers. New York’s inimitable skyline, which was considered daring in the early Twentieth Century, made way for today’s aesthetic and environmental progress in architecture.
The Katonah Museum of Art is at 134 Jay Street (Route 22). For more information, www.katonahmuseum.org or 914-232-9555.
