Preserved Forest at PS 1 by David Brooks. Photo Credit: Michael Nagle.

Nestled in the heart of Long Island City lies a place where contemporary art thrives without bounds.  PS 1, a museum affiliated to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), is truly a wonderful contribution to modern art.  Founded in 1971, the museum has brought to light the work of many little known and emerging artists.

Since the museum was once a public school, it bears the name PS 1.  It has also kept other elements of the old school in its current design.  The exterior is a plain brick building with solid front doors.  Inside, the staircases are old and the corridors are very wide.  Floor plans hanging on the wall are written on chalkboards and old school benches allow visitors to rest in the main entrance.

I’ve visited PS 1 numerous times and from my experiences, I believe that the greatest thing about the museum is its diversity.  You can visit the museum many times and always find something new because the exhibits are constantly changing.  On a recent visit to PS 1, I explored rooms filled with film, photographs, and sculptures.  One of my favorite exhibits of the day was David Brooks’ Preserved Forest.  This piece is exactly what it sounds like: a portion of a Brazilian rainforest!  What drew me to it wasn’t its natural beauty, but the artist’s message: he wanted his audience to realize the effects of deforestation.

While, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, I would only recommend the current exhibits to teenagers and adults.  Some of the material might not be entirely appropriate for very young art enthusiast as several films and photographs contain nudity and graphic images.

Nevertheless, fear not, as many of the permanent exhibits are truly the highlights of PS 1.   For example, The Hole at PS 1, created by Alan Saret, on the third floor is a unique built-in exhibit.  At first glance, it appears to be a mistake at the hands of a negligent construction worker.  Yet, as sun pours through the jagged opening in the brick wall, nature’s purity combines with artificial crudeness for a magnificent effect.  Also, keep an eye out for the beautiful procession of paintings along the stairs.  Mostly black and white, these pieces do not need color to be poignant and beautiful; these silhouettes speak for themselves.   My personal favorite is In the Woods, painted by Ernesto Caivano, in stairwell A!

Additionally, PS 1 is a neighborhood friendly museum.  The museum’s Holding Pattern located in the courtyard features a maze of trees, a misting platform, benches, ping-pong tables, and kiddy pools.  These items were collected by the museum to be donated to various organizations across Long Island City.   It’s a cool way of showing community spirit and giving back.

PS 1 museum doesn’t need to flaunt roomfuls of exhibits to attract visitors.  It focuses more on the quality of the work being presented to the public.  Whether you are a modern art buff or just a student looking for an afternoon out, PS 1 is a fantastic place to spend the day.