The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently hosted its annual Art & Artists Gala, formerly known as The Met Acquisitions Gala, in Manhattan. Sponsored by Tiffany & Co., the event raised a record $4.8 million to support the museum’s art acquisition efforts. Despite inclement weather, the gala featured a performance by the New York City Gospel Choir and was attended by notable contemporary artists such as Rashid Johnson, Sarah Sze, Jeff Koons, Jesse Krimes, Derek Fordjour, and Jordan Casteel. Celebrities including Martha Stewart, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, and Ann Tenenbaum were present, along with fashion icons like Lauren Santo Domingo, Aerin Lauder, Tory Burch, Aurora James, and Jamie Singer Soros. Guests enjoyed a lavish dinner and admired decor inspired by Rachel Ruysch’s 1692 self-portrait. Max Hollein, the Met’s director and CEO, emphasised the significance of the event in celebrating a shared love for the arts and the museum’s role in providing joy and experiences.Vogue
Coinciding with the gala, the Met unveiled designs for the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, a major extension project aimed at enhancing the museum’s exhibition space by 2030. Designed by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo—the first woman to design a new wing in the museum’s 154-year history—the Tang Wing will serve as a world-class home for the Met’s renowned holdings of 20th- and 21st-century art. The project will encompass a full reimagining of the current modern and contemporary art galleries, increasing gallery space by nearly 50% and adding over 70,000 square feet to accommodate modern and contemporary art. The design features a stepped exterior of latticed limestone, drawing inspiration from the Met’s varied architectural styles and diverse art holdings. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2030.The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Art Newspaper
These developments underscore the Met’s commitment to expanding and enhancing its collection and exhibition spaces, ensuring that it continues to provide enriching experiences for visitors and remains a leading institution in the art world.
Feature Image: Exterior rendering of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Tang Wing, view from the southwest cornerVisualisation: Courtesy: Filippo Bolognese Images, courtesy of Frida Escobedo Studio
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