The restaurant at the new Met Breuer is unfinished, which is appropriate because the inaugural exhibit is Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible. When is a work finished? And what happens when a patron withdraws a commission or an artist dies mid-stroke?
Desecration
In 2010, the Guggenheim tried to address the problem by requesting authorization from the City Landmarks Preservation Commission to build a permanent food kiosk in front of the Wright building. The request was denied because, according to Robert B. Tierney, then chairman of the commission, "It detracts from the landmark and causes it to compete with the main building." OK, I won't argue with that, but what about the food carts and merchants of tomorrow's garage sale?
Solstice
As they say in the photography business, sometimes your best shot is behind you. That was clearly the case tonight. As is true throughout Midtown, a new building was under construction. This one just west of MOMA's entrance--replacing the old Museum of Folk Art building. The sidewalk was covered by elaborate scaffolding. And that beautiful sunlight was hitting people in the face as they emerged from the tunnel-like structure.
