zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
The Museum Of Modern Art Still Doesn't Really Get Cars
The Museum Of Modern Art Still Doesn't Really Get Cars-September 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:12:17

Image for article titled The Museum Of Modern Art Still Doesn't Really Get Cars

New York City’s esteemed Museum of Modern Art’s newest exhibit has a Volkswagen Type 1, a Cisitalia, an E-Type, a Citroën DS, a 1967 911, a Willys Jeep, a Smart Fortwo, an original Fiat 500, and one of Alain Prost’s F1 cars. Eurocentric, much, MoMA?

Now, I should preface this by saying that MoMA is the only cultural institution in New York City I pay a yearly fee to help support, because I like MoMA and I like modern art and I like the member previews that get you away from the hordes of tourists and because rich people (not me) seem happy to support this great city’s cultural institutions, many of which, unlike MoMA, are nominally free. Still, when I caught wind of this new exhibit — , which opened Sunday — I knew from the get-go that it would be bad.

This is not because the cars are bad — MoMA’s Cisitalia 202 GT is among the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen in person; the Type 1 is the highest or second-highest made car ever depending on how you count; and the E-Type is, well, the E-Type — it’s more because the cars are boring, the equivalent of MoMA putting Starry Night, a Picasso, and a Jackson Pollock in a room and calling it Art Mania, and pretending like they’ve done something new.

Because the truth is that MoMA barely tried; this collection is classic rock, and I like “Stairway To Heaven” as much as the next person but I’ve already heard it ten million times. A 1967 911? I’m surprised MoMA doesn’t have a C3 and a DeLorean as well.

Well, they might, except for a focus on European cars that dates to MoMA’s first car show, in 1951, a show which “reflected the organizers’ belief that ‘in Europe, where a car is a luxury rather than a necessity, design still has some of the qualities of a fine art.’” First of all: I’m not even sure that was true then, as say what you will about tailfins but they were, at the time, a genuine attempt to look good. Also, in 1951, Asian automakers weren’t the force that they are today, but, judging by this exhibit, it’s unclear if, today, MoMA curators are aware that anything has changed.

I mean, why not an LFA? Why not a Ford GT40? Why not a ? Why not a Cord 812? Why not an Eldorado? Why not a Miata? Why not a ... Model X? Or why not none of those and instead an entire thing about the good kei cars? I’m not sure why the Smart Fortwo is in MoMA’s collection, but I don’t think MoMA knows either.

The Cisitalia 202 GT can stay, though. What a car! Please feel free to sell the rest, MoMA. You know how to reach me if you need any help in picking replacements, if membership renewal emails are any indication. I mean, I enjoyed the exhibit for what it was when I went on Saturday — if you’re in the New York area it isn’t a terrible way to spend 30 minutes — but let’s actually try next time, MoMA, like I know you are capable of. Because this is on the verge of being insulting. Thanks!

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Nissan Is Shrinking At An Alarming Rate
Nissan Is Shrinking At An Alarming Rate
Nissan has and new on its way, but 2020 overall . And while we knew that part of the plan was to back off the volume ambitions of former CEO Carlos Ghosn, by according to a new report it will be a bit more. Reuters spoke to two anonymous...
Sep 17, 2026
Dead: Honda Fit
Dead: Honda Fit
The Honda Fit in the U.S., alongside the Civic coupe and the manual Accord. Which has me, a Honda Fit owner, feeling a little emotional, so forgive me when I say get bent, Honda. The Fit will continue to be available overseas. The fourth-generation , and when Honda also...
Sep 17, 2026
Let's Chat About Automotive Wrenching Knowledge Gaps
Let's Chat About Automotive Wrenching Knowledge Gaps
Before we get started with this little garage chat [pull up a rolly stool, grab a beer from the fridge, we’re all friends here] it’s important to know that you don’t have to know how to wrench on anything to be a car enthusiast. It takes all kinds to...
Sep 17, 2026
GM Says It Wasn't In On The Chevy Truck Product Placement At Today's White House Speech
GM Says It Wasn't In On The Chevy Truck Product Placement At Today's White House Speech
President Trump, Vice President Pence, and a few other folks addressed the public on a White House lawn in front of two heavy-duty Chevy Silverados and a crane today. General Motors, apparently, had nothing to do with this. , in particular, has been making the rounds in automotive media...
Sep 17, 2026
Daimler Lost Only $1.9 Billion Nothing To See Here
Daimler Lost Only $1.9 Billion Nothing To See Here
Daimler did better than expected, there’s a purge at Volkswagen, and New York is investing hundreds of millions in electric vehicle infrastructure. All that and more in for July 17, 2020. The company, which produces Mercedes cars in addition to a big truck, bus, and van business, had expected...
Sep 17, 2026
NPR Has Lost 25 Percent Of Listeners Now That We Aren't Held Hostage In Our Cars
NPR Has Lost 25 Percent Of Listeners Now That We Aren't Held Hostage In Our Cars
The has killed over 138,000 Americans and sent ripples through even the most mundane aspects of American life, and that includes our daily grinds. So many people are working from home that, without all of us trapped in car commutes, National Public Radio is facing a historic downturn in...
Sep 17, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved