Christophe Cherix Appointed as MoMA’s New Director
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has selected Christophe Cherix, the institution’s long-serving head of drawings and prints as the new Director. He will succeed Glenn Lowry, who announced his resignation in September 2024. Christophe Cherix will begin his new position in September, after Lowry’s official resignation.
He beat Thelma Golden (Director/ Chief Curator, Studio Museum, Harlem) and Jessica Morgan (Director, Dia Art Foundation). This makes Christophe Cherix MoMa’s 7th Director in its nearly century-long existence.
Christophe Cherix’s Contribution to MoMA?
Christophe Cherix is originally from Switzerland. He studied at the University of Geneva and holds a license ès lettres. He curated the Cabinet des Estampes at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva before joining MoMA in 2007. He is an expert in modern and contemporary art, especially the art from the 1960s and 1970s.
He was a Fellow of the Class of 2010 at the Center for Curatorial Leadership in New York, which included a residency at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He became the chief curator of MoMA’s Department of Prints and Illustrated Books in 2010, which later merged with the Department of Drawings in 2013. In 2013, Christophe Cherix was appointed The Robert Lehman Foundation Chief Curator of Drawings and Prints.
Exhibitions Curated by MoMA’s New Director, Christophe Cherix
Since he joined the Museum of Modern Art, Christophe Cherix brought excellence to the institute. His credits include numerous acclaimed retrospectives and shows. He has curated major exhibitions featuring modern and contemporary artists such as Jasper Johns.
They encompass the 2023 collaboration with Los Angeles County Museum of Art director Michael Govan on the Ed Ruscha retrospective, ‘Ed Ruscha/ Now Then,’ during which he facilitated the revival of the artist’s seldom-seen 1970 Chocolate Room installation, first shown at that year’s Venice Biennale. The retrospective celebrated more than 200 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and books.
In 2019, Christophe Cherix curated Betye Saar’s solo with Esther Adler, titled Betye Saar: Legends of Black Girl’s Window. In 2018, he co-organized a retrospective for Adrian Piper, ‘Adrian Piper: A Synthesis of Intuitions’ with David Platzker and Connie Butler, which briefly held the title of the largest exhibition ever hosted by MoMA. Together with Manuel Borja-Villel, he also organized a 2016 retrospective of Marcel Broodthaers.
He also surveyed Yoko Ono’s artwork from the 1960s and ’70s that he co-curated with Klaus Biesenbach in Yoko Ono: One Woman Show. Along with Ann Temkin, Christophe Cherix co-curated Jasper Johns’s solo exhibition in 2014.
Decision Surrounding Christophe Cherix’s Position as MoMA’s Director
As reported by the New York Times, Christophe Cherix’s selection as the new Director of MoMA comes after six months of speculation. He was chosen from a roster of international and acclaimed candidates. However, his ascension to directorship is regarded by some as a cautious choice for MoMA, evidenced by Lowry’s controversies.
Christophe Cherix’s appointment as MoMA’s new Director was disclosed in a letter from museum chair Marie-Josée Kravis and president Sarah Arison. The letter explained that the board of trustees voted unanimously for Cherix.
Why Was Glenn Lowry A Controversial Figure in MoMa
While critics helm Glenn Lowry as a polarising figure, we cannot emphasise his prominence in MoMA’s expansion. During his 30-year directorship, the museum’s financial endowment increased from approximately $200 million to around $1.7 billion. He oversaw the physical expansion of the New York museum. It included a new building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi in the early 2000s, an extra 630,000 square feet of renovated and new space, and a 30% exhibition space expansion again in 2019 by Diller Scofidio Renfro.
In the press release, Lowry said that “in the months ahead, we will work together to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Christophe is a gifted and talented curator, and I look forward to seeing the Museum evolve and thrive under his able direction. I have been privileged to work with Christophe for more than fifteen years at MoMA, and I am delighted that the Board has chosen him to be the next director of the Museum.
Marie-Josée Kravisa on Christophe Cherix Appointment as MoMA Director
Mint reports, Marie-Josée Kravisa’s press release statement, “Christophe’s brilliant curatorial leadership in modern and contemporary art, deep insight and passion for MoMA’s collection, and reputation for steady stewardship stood out as indispensable qualities to meet the moment as the Museum’s next director. We are thrilled that after a rigorous global search, the Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Christophe, and that he accepted the appointment.”
Christophe Cherix on MoMA’s Directorship
According to ARTnews, Christophe Cherix exclaims “MoMA has long been a leader in embracing new forms of expression, amplifying the voices of artists from around the globe, and engaging the broadest audiences onsite and online. As the Museum approaches its centennial, my highest priority is to support its exceptional staff and ensure that their unique ability to navigate the ever-evolving present continues to thrive.”
Image Courtesy – Print Center New York via YouTube
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