Joan Didion once remarked that storytelling is essential to our existence. In New York City, several exhibitions are currently celebrating this timeless tradition. Despite the chilly weather, we recommend visiting these shows. The Morgan Library & Museum hosts an expansive exhibit on storytelling spanning 3,000 years, setting the stage for further explorations. Goya’s works on the Spanish War of Independence and Alison Nguyen’s insights into Vietnam’s war for liberation are pivotal. Additionally, two exhibitions highlight contemporary Indigenous art: one through glassware in the United States from the 1960s, and another through Amazonian cultural expressions.
These exhibitions are deeply connected to New York City. Alison Nguyen’s film features City Hall, while an Amazonian display is held in a policy center. The glass art is exhibited in the former New York Customhouse, still a government facility. These settings remind us of the importance of being attuned to our surroundings, history, and time, even as we explore abstract ideas and future possibilities.
Come Together: 3,000 Years of Stories and Storytelling
Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue, Murray Hill, Manhattan
Through May 3
This exhibit brings together over 140 items, primarily from the Morgan’s collections, to explore storytelling and mythmaking. It includes pieces like Faith Ringgold’s woodcuts and Peter Hujar’s iconic Gay Liberation Front poster. The exhibit suggests that storytelling is a universal human experience, transcending simple tales and legends.
Goya and the Age of Revolution
Hispanic Society, Washington Heights, Manhattan
Through June 28
Marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this exhibit showcases Francisco de Goya’s Disasters of War series, which captures the devastation of the Spanish War of Independence. The prints, along with full-length portraits of military figures, convey the profound impact of these historical events.
Alison Nguyen: Perforation, Ellipse
Storefront for Art & Architecture, 97 Kenmare Street, NoLita, Manhattan
Through March 28
Nguyen’s exhibition features bolero music and video work exploring the interplay of history and present-day realities. Scenes include the artist using a crossbow with Manhattan’s City Hall in the background, questioning the power dynamics between the individual and the state.
Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass
National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, New York, Financial District, Manhattan
Through May 29
This exhibit highlights the breadth of Indigenous glass art since the 1960s. It features works from the Southwest and Pacific Northwest, including pieces by Carol Lujan and Angela Babby, alongside tributes to Dale Chihuly, who influenced Indigenous glass-making.
Amazonia Açu
Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Through April 18
Curated by nine individuals from the Amazon’s regions, this exhibit offers a ‘kaleidoscopic’ view of Amazonian art. It features diverse media, including clay weaving and paper made from sugarcane. Highlights include works by Sara Flores and Hélio Melo, showcasing rich cultural motifs and techniques.
