Alongside local cultural institutions—like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Museum of Natural History, and The Guggenheim Museum—a new generation of art lovers have fully embraced immersive experiences as a modern-day way to enjoy New York City’s thriving art scene (the flex-worthy BeReal content doesn’t hurt either).
In addition to fresh installations like the whimsical Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-themed Wonderland Dreams and controversial Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky, we’ve got all the details on where to go for both a dose of tradition and the innovatively cool. From a rare collection of chic designer shoes to a technological homage to the gilded world of Gustav Klimt, here are the best museum exhibits and immersive art experiences in NYC right now.
Hall des Lumières Lower Manhattan Exhibition: Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion Across the first floor and subterranean vault level of the historic Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank building on Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan, the recently opened Hall des Lumières introduced its inaugural installation as a dedication to the gilded and female-centric work of the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. Upon entering, guests are able to peruse 30-foot projections of Klimt’s famed work from the early 20th century such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which is accompanied by a customized soundtrack of ambient music. Additionally, Hall des Lumières will welcome a new exhibit every 10 to 12 months, so stay tuned for updates on their IG page for future artist line-ups. How to buy tickets: Admission from $37
East Harlem Exhibition: Raise Your Voice Depicting the beauty and resilience of New York City’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community comes an immersive installation by Brooklyn-based artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. First gaining prestige after her I Still Believe in Our City art series in response to the Atlanta shootings in March of 2021, which appeared within NYC subway stops and on the cover of TIME magazine, this venture for Phingbodhipakkiya focuses on an array of colorful murals depicting historical figures like Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X plus scenes of NYC activism over the past nine decades. How to buy tickets: Admission from $20
Prospect Park Exhibition: Figures of Speech World renowned for his experimental style and visionary creations, late designer Virgil Abloh is the focal point of the Brooklyn Museum’s latest crowd-puller. Curated by Antwuan Sargent, Figures of Speech includes artwork; clothing; video and audio clips; architectural sketches; and more, that speak to Abloh’s legacy as an iconic figure in fashion and contemporary culture. Highlights include a full-size wooden house (designed by Abloh himself as a space for creatives to share knowledge and inspiration); a collaboration project with artist Takashi Murakami; plus pieces from Off-White and Louis Vuitton. How to buy tickets: Admission from $25
Chelsea Exhibition: Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure When it comes to legendary New York artists, Jean-Michel Basquiat definitely tops the list and his paintings regularly reach more than $100 million when sold at auction. Learn more about the talented pioneer who helped shape 1980s pop art and is now considered one of our most revered cultural icons through renderings of his childhood homes; video plus audio recordings; and more than 200-never-before-seen works of art, artifacts, and ephemera spread out within the more than a century-old Starrett-Lehigh Building. How to buy tickets: Admission from $45