MOMA is famous for its vast and mostly unseen holdings. It’s great that they are finding a way to bring things out for viewers now. But MOMA also has world-famous works that deserve to be on view at all times. It would be nice to think that the immense renovations to the building that are now underway will enable the museum to achieve both goals.
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45 is late career? Wow we need to do some major shifts in the way we think. Youth is not the only perspective that is valid.
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We wonder at what wheels are turning in the curator's head, yes?
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As with most professions......when you are encouraged and validated you expand and thrive. So when young artists get early recognition it encourages them to develop their vision. However, not all artists are validated at a young age or even in middle age......and then are on their own to find self motivation and validation. That is a daunting task! Lets see what those artists are doing......the ones who have not benefited from the art world system, but those who have dedicated their lives to art making because it's all they know. We know all your blue-chip artists who's work you store in your basement......stop self promoting your acquisitions and start unearthing some new art in the world.
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There are amazing undiscovered voices out there who do not fit the young artist profile of success but have lived authentically and have something profound to say. There are far too many young artists who realize an early success helped by their parent's support, while the young artists without deep pockets throw in the towel just when they are about to have a breakthrough. Later when they keep going they are ignored while the hyped young artists are often stifled by success and have nothing much to say after a short career. When will the art system respect the fact that each artist has a unique path and should be judged by quality? Looking forward to the show.
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Turn the floor over to visual artists who didn't even START creating until they were 45. That would be interesting! Jasper Johns is Jasper Johns, even at 87.
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How about 64? Then I'd qualify . . .
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MOMA's a NYC treasure...
Along these lines - one of my favorites...
https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1429
[Matisse's cut-outs]
Nice article - kudos
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This is pathetic! I feel insulted by the curators who came up with this dumb idea and the NYT art critic for the heading "creativity is not just a young person's game". Well, this is truly a revolutionary concept. As Johnny Carson used to say "Ed, I did not know that". I am 61 and already, I feel me better. Thank you MOMA and thank you NYT!
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We need more art programs in the schools, wake up Donald Trump.
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I don't like age segregated art.
Why celebrate late careers? Why celebrate early careers?
Just celebrate art.
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reply to Ichigo, Linden NJ
Seems you missed the whole point. I began lessons in black and white photography, including developing film and printing my own work in 2001, just before my 68th birthday. I'll never be in MOMA but my work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and I have received a number of awards. My work is not exhibited based on my age, but I love the idea of acknowledging the success of artists who began late when time and resources where more readily available.
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For a brief moment the title of the article was exciting when there was the possibilty of MOMA exhibiting a show of works by underrecognized artists working in mid and late life. But these artist's careers were made in the commercial world in their twenties. Some things never change.
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In the arts today one has to be commercially viable by being under a certain age. Also attractive and photogenic for promotional purposes. This not only includes theatre and music but writing and art. There is too much emphasize put on looks, not content. Take a look at book jackets to understand what I mean. Writers need to have stylists today. It is no longer about talent but appearances. If Stephen King were starting out today he would not be accepted by those youngsters who would judge his looks too harshly.
Another thing is that people live longer today therefore have longer careers.
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Nothing against Kara Walker, who is a terrific artist, but wouldn't she be a little young to be included in a rehang predicated on late style?
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Bravo MOMA. Now when is the American theater going to realize that new plays by older playwrights deserve to be seen as much as other members of "the diversity team"?
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Thank you for this article, Ms. Smith, and thank you to MOMA for getting out of its comfort zone!
I hope that this is not a one-off and that MOMA and the art establishment will continue to expand its focus in the new year...and beyond...
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It takes a lifetime and experience to develop a voice, glad to see it is recognized here. There has been way too much emphasis on the newest, the latest...art is not a package design.
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