New home for NYC's Whitney Museum
Along the Hudson River in New York City, the new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art has opened to the public - a greatly increased space filled with Rothkos, Pollocks, Warhols, Hoppers, and other prized works from the museum's vast collection.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
Aerial View
Architect Renzo Piano's asymmetrical design creates a sculptural presence within the Meatpacking District of lower Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River and the adjacent High Line elevated park.
Hudson River View
Renzo Piano told CBS News' Norah O'Donnell that it is the dream of architects to make a place for art that is flexible, "where the artist comes and he can actually use [it] like a factory."
It is about freedom, the said. "But everything in American art is about freedom."
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
The Whitney first opened its doors in 1914, in nearby Greenwich Village as the "Whitney Studio." It was originally just a simple gallery space for neglected American artists, founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (left), of the famous Vanderbilt family. She was a sculptor and serious collector of American art.
"She never intended to build a museum," museum director Adam Weinberg told CBS News' Norah O'Donnell. "She actually offered her collection to the Met, but the Met wasn't interested. They didn't think American art was very interesting in the 1920s."
And so the Whitney was born.
In 1930 the museum was first housed on West 8th Street in Greenwich Village (the present-day New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture). Artists like Edward Hopper, George Bellows and Georgia O'Keeffe all found a home at the Whitney before they were wanted anywhere else.
Madison Avenue Home
The Museum relocated in 1954 to West 54th Street and, in 1966, inaugurated its Madison Avenue home (left), designed by Marcel Breuer.
Museum director Adam Weinberg oversaw the Whitney's latest move from its home of 49 years on the Upper East Side. "When the Whitney originally opened in 1966, we had 2,000 works of art," he said. "Today we have 22,000 works of art in the collection."
So they outgrew their old space? "I always say it's a little bit like a wonderful suit that you have. It's just a fantastic thing, but it's still too small!" said Weinberg.
Design
A sketch by architect Renzo Piano, who designed the new Whitney is collaboration with Cooper, Robertson & Partners.
Cross-Section
Cross-section of the Whitney site, which has 50,000 square feet of galleries.
After Superstorm Sandy, museum officials brought in German engineers to design and install flood mitigation measures to protect the museum and its collection against future disasters.
Entrance
The exterior of the new Whitney Museum of American Art, located on Gansevoort Street in Manhattan.
Art Under Glass
The new museum has 50,000 square feet of gallery space.
Gallery
Among the artists represented in the museum's collection are Jeff Koons ("New Hoover Convertibles, Green, Blue; New Hoover Convertibles, Green, Blue; Doubledecker"), Charles Ray ("Boy"), and Nam June Paik ("On View").
New Artistic Heights
The museum also features 13,000 square feet of outdoor galleries and terraces.
Stairs
An interior view of the new White Museum of American Art.
What A View
Members of the media tour the new Whitney Museum of American Art building and inaugural exhibition on April 23, 2015, in New York.
The site is adjacent to the southern terminus of the High Line, an elevated 1.5-mile-long public park.
Ribbon-Cutting
First lady Michelle Obama speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Whitney Museum of American Art, April 30, 2015 in New York City. Seated behind Obama are architect Renzo Piano, Board of Trustees President Neil Bluhm, Co-Chairperson Brooke Garber Neidich, Museum Director Adam Weinberg, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Honorary Chairperson Flora Miller Biddle.
Chuck Close
A woman looks at a Chuck Close painting off composer Phillip Glass in a gallery at the new Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan's meatpacking district, April 23, 2015 in New York City.
The new Whitney's inaugural exhibition, "America Is Hard to See," includes more than 600 works by 400 artists, drawn from the museum's collection, filling every indoor gallery and outdoor exhibition space.
"Early Sunday Morning"
"Early Sunday Morning" (1930), by Edward Hopper (1882-1967), part of the Whitney's exhibition, "America Is Hard to See."
Oil on canvas.
"Music, Pink and Blue No. 2"
"Music, Pink and Blue No. 2" (1918), by Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986), part of the Whitney's exhibition, "America Is Hard to See."
Oil on canvas.
"'61 Pontiac"
"'61 Pontiac" (1968-69), by Robert Bechtle (b. 1932), part of the Whitney's exhibition, "America Is Hard to See."
Oil on canvas.
"Rückenfigur"
"Rückenfigur" (2009) by Glenn Ligon (b. 1960), part of the Whitney's exhibition, "America Is Hard to See."
Neon and paint.
"Untitled Film Still #45"
"Untitled Film Still #45" (1979) by Cindy Sherman (b. 1954), part of the Whitney's exhibition, "America Is Hard to See."
Gelatin silver print.
Opening
A general view of Max Mara's celebration for the opening of the Whitney Museum of American Art at its new location in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, April 24, 2015 in New York City.
River View
The Whitney's current exhibition, "American Is Hard to See," runs through September 27, 2015.
For more info:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, N.Y.
Follow the Whitney Museum on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan