Megan Randall, Assistant Projects Conservator: Last pre-morning cleaning!
Caitlin Richeson, Graduate Intern, Sculpture Conservation: Aww…
Megan: How long do you think it’s going to take to empty these out?
Caitlin: A long time.
Megan: How gross do you think it’s going to be?
Caitlin: The grossest.
Megan: Oh, I’m sorry that you’re carrying all of this stuff.
Caitlin: Typical.
[Laughter]
Ann Temkin, The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture: We started meeting as a group of chief curators nearly ten years ago.
We wanted to discuss how we wanted to proceed in the presentation of the collection galleries.
I think we all felt that the current approach of having galleries that were designated by medium
didn’t correspond to the way that artists are working.
So here we have a painting by Picasso, an enormously important painting by Picasso.
Ann: It’s often described as the picture that set Picasso and Braque off on the invention
of a cubist language,
because you see how the shapes are starting to break down into a more abstract language,
especially, for example, in the chest of that woman on the far right.
Ann: Picasso made prints, he made drawings, he made sculptures.
To see an artist in all of the complexity of the different mediums he or she used
gives you so much more opportunity than having the paintings the person made over here
and the drawings that person made three floors away.
Ann: There was no doubt in our minds that the first change we wanted to make was to integrate
all of the fields that the museum covers
in the circuit of galleries.
Ann: It’s an utter transformation in the makeup of the place.
Chet Gold, Security Supervisor: The last day! It’s a lot of energy today.
Hunter Webb, Projectionist: This thing is sold out I think. It’s four o’clock.
Last film of season.
Hunter: I was thinking about it today, it was getting a little misty.
I just, I enjoy showing, but it’s just the last public screening for a while.
Elizabeth Margulies, Director, Family Programs and Resources: What were you thinking about when you were making your arrangement?
Lydia: A famous artist.
Elizabeth: You were what?
Lydia’s Mother: A famous artist?
Elizabeth: You were thinking of a famous artist? Which famous artist did you have in mind?
Lydia: Faith Ringgold.
Elizabeth: Which one?
Lydia: Faith Ringgold.
Elizabeth: You were thinking of Faith Ringgold? Wow! What about Faith Ringgold were you thinking about that inspired you?
Lydia: She always makes quilts.
Elizabeth: Quilts! This really does remind me of a quilt.
Lydia’s mother: That does!
Elizabeth: That’s so interesting the way you put those squares down.
Lydia’s mother: I like that, Lydia!
Elizabeth: Wow!
Irene Feuerstein, Volunteer: Oh, maybe this is it.
Irene: I think this is it.
Yeah, this is it!
Libby Brodheim, Volunteer: You found it. Good for you!
Irene: This is it!
Irene: Honoré Sharrer.
Libby: And what is it called?
Irene and Libby: Workers and Paintings.
Irene: Do you see the paintings?
Libby: Oh, yes.
Irene: Look what they have!
Libby: Oh and look at the American Gothic over here-
Irene: Yeah.
Irene: And this is what MoMA owns. It’s my favorite picture in the museum.
Libby: Oh, the Picasso.
Irene: Girl In the Mirror.
Libby: The Picasso.
Irene: Oh, it’s 1932. That's when I was born! That’s why I like it so much.
Irene: So look at all the different people in here. It’s a great little painting.
Chet: ♫ Hello! It's almost over, it's almost over ♫
Chet: Exciting times.
Chet: Hey guys, just a heads up, we’re going to be closing in ten minutes. Thank you all for coming.
Chet: Have a great night, and see you in October.
Visitor: Ten minutes for four months!
Chet: Yes, ten minutes for four months.
Visitor: Oh my god!
Chet: It’s happening.
Ann: They’re going in the wrong direction.
Chet: No, I’m trying to make it a soft close. I don’t want to be heavy-handed.
Chet: Thank you for coming guys. I’ll be here. I’ll stay here.
You can let them go, though. Alright. You’re good. Take some more time if you need.
Chet: I’m just going to have to escort you down.
Loudspeaker: May I have your attention please? The museum is now closed.
Please return your audio program units to the desk on the second floor,
and collect your belongings from the check room.
Loudspeaker: Agradecemos su atención por favor. El museo ha cerrado.
Por favor, devuelva las audioguías al mostrador de audio MoMA, y dirijase al guardarropa a retirar sus cosas.
Phil Edelstein, Artist: The sound has shape.