The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) began its life in a brownstone in 1956 as the Museum of Contemporary Craft, relocated to its own building as American Craft Museum, and in 2008 moved to the re-imagined Edward Durrell Stone building at 2 Columbus Circle tripling its exhibition space.
With a mission to explore relationships between art, design and craft, the institution features work executed in everything from the “expected” clay, glass, metal, fiber, wood, and paper to digital and organic materials. You might see paper curtains of elaborately silhouetted creatures depicting Heaven and Hell (Slash-Paper Under the Knife), an overhead chandelier made from medical supplies, a large hanging wall piece constructed from recycled soda cans, or jewelry engineered of rubber, leather, and fur. Work is often interesting, surprising, and provocative.
Curated exhibitions have examined ethnic and political influence, historical focus, the unexpected use of mediums, conceptual approach (Are You a Hybrid?) and interpretation of what we otherwise take for granted (Eat, Drink, Art, Design.)
MAD’s home also houses a theater showing both live performance and film, the best craft-oriented museum shop in the city, and the excellent Robert Restaurant (lunch, brunch, cocktails, dinner) on the 9th floor with a wonderful view of Columbus Circle.
There are free docent tours and a wide array of educational resources: tours for school groups, workshops, and open studios offering opportunity to speak with artists in process are just a few.
Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
212-299-7777
http://www.madmuseum.org/visit
Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
closed Mondays and major holidays
