El Museo Del Barrio

Nuestra visita al Museo del Barrio fue bastante interesante, pero no puedo decir que me abrió los ojos sobre el arte del mundo hispanohablante de una manera extraordinaria. Pienso que la mayor parte del arte que vimos en el museo podría haber sido en cualquier otro espacio, porque no tuve la impresión que las obras fueran particularmente «hispánicas» en su natura.
Sin embargo, hay dos obras que me tocaron porque me parecieron muy emocionantes. La primer fue la serie de fotografías en el cementerio mas grande de Buenos Aires, con retratos de gente que estaba visitando a sus amigos o relaciones. Me gustarían esas fotos porque en cada cara representada uno puede distinguir una mezcla de emociones como dolor, tristeza y duelo, tanto como otros sentimientos como el orgullo y la dignidad, especialmente en la foto del hombre vestido en blanco con sus gafas. La secunda obra que me tocó fue el cuadro con el artista que se represento acostado en las piernas de su mama. Fue muy interesante porque la dinámica física entre los dos fue muy intima, como si fueran amantes, y eso me hice pensar en las relaciones madre-​hijo que en el mundo latinoamericano suelen ser mucho mas cercanas que en la tradición occidental. Además, la composición del cuadro me hice pensar en La Pietà de Miguel Ángel, y eso transmitió el pensamiento que el artista estaba comparando su madre a la Santa María. Eso mostro la admiración del artista por su madre de una manera muy emocionante, en mi opinión.

So, I didn’t actually go to the museum to see the exhibits, instead I went to see Oliver! The musical which starred kids from Boys and Girls Harbor Youth and Community. I got a free ticket so I don’t know how much the cost of admission was. The seats were first come first serve so we made sure to get on line pretty early. The auditorium was pretty large but it was nice to get a seat in the second row because people sitting in front could obstruct your view. The performance was great (the kids are so talented) and the venue worked greatly. I had never heard of El Museo del Barrio, I’ll have to check out the exhibits the next time I’m in NYC.

The actual museum is so small that it can be hit or miss based on the exhibitions. What they were showing was partially interesting (their permanent collection) and partially not very interesting (their exhibition on geometric visual illusions. I guess that’s what you’d call it. It just gave me headaches). But overall the space is nice, with a theater and nice big café too. Plus you get a free pass to the Museum of NYC, which is more interesting.

Mi obra favorita de nuestra visita al Museo del Barrio era la Pietà Puertorriqueña que el guía nos explicó que era un comentario sobre la masculinidad en la cultura latinoamericana. No soy una persona que sepa mucho sobre el arte, así que agradecía que él nos diera un poco del contexto y la historia de la piezas en su galería. Estéticamente, el Pietà Puertorriqueño era impresionante porque las figuras eran muy expresivas y los colores son dramáticos. Me interesa mucho que el artista y su madre modelaron para la obra, porque le hacía más personal.
Hablando de lo personal, me fascinó la artista en residencia que estaba haciendo el tejido del pelo humano porque era un proyecto brillante y repugnante a la misma vez. Me gusta la idea que el pelo es una cosa que casi todo tiene en común, y es cierto que cuando pone junto para creer el tejido son extrañamente hermoso. Pero también, cuando piensa sobre la origen del material, es un poco asqueroso. Pero el arte más importante hace una declaración sobre el mundo, y esta artista sin duda hace una declaración sobre las cosas que nos unen.

Situado en el East Harlem, El Barrio es el hogar de el ecléctico Museo del Barrio. El museo celebra la cultura de su barrio con una colección única de obras de artistas latinoamericanos. A diferencia de otros museos de la ciudad que tienen un enfoque en el arte de América Latina como La Sociedad Hispánica de América, el Museo del Barrio se centra en obras de arte contemporáneo en lugar de obras clásicas. Mientras que el Museo del Barrio no es mi favorito en la ciudad, hay algunas obras de arte que son interesantes.
Una de las primeras exposiciones que encontré interesante es el trabajo de una mujer que usa el pelo humano para hacer textiles. Los visitantes son animados a dejar hebras de su pelo para contribuir a su trabajo. La artista dijo que la obra representa la fuerza y la diversidad de personas de diferentes orígenes. Otro trabajo interesante es una recreación única de Pietra. El artista SE representa a sí mismo como Jesús y su madre como la Virgen María. Ambos están vestidos con ropa moderna y el artista se muestra de una manera sensual. No puedo decir exactamente por qué encontré estos dos trabajos interesantes además de que son tan extraños.
Si buscas arte latinoamericano contemporáneo, EL Museo del Barrio es el lugar para ir. Sin embargo, si clásico es más tu estilo, visita La Sociedad Hispánica de América en Washington Heights.

I visited today and I’m sorry to say I was underwhelmed. From their website I was given the impression of art done by Hispanic/​Latino artists depicting their culture (which they deliver to an extent). Being Hispanic myself I was excited to see some colonial era Taino/​indigenous or inspired, historical, and cultural art forms. When I arrived it was just one room all of modern art. Now don’t get me wrong, what was shown was beautiful but it was not what I expected. I’ve seen other museums depicting our history and culture which is what I hoped to see here. Something that depicted the vibrancy, the life of our culture but also depicted hard times as well and the inspiration that was drawn from it. Something that we could identify with.
Since when I went there was only one gallery open it took perhaps 30 minutes to see everything. And I think that’s pushing it a little if you’re reading all the info cards.

This is a suggested donation museum.
You also get a sister pass (ask for the black card!) to the «museum of the city of new york.»
I enjoyed this museum. Take a picture with the swirling circles towards the back. You can take pictures, but no flash.
They have a coat check.
I’d allot for less than 1 hour for this museum.

Good museum about Hispanic culture. Lots of recent pieces. The building is big but there aren’t as many exhibits as one expects.

Four stars because of future capabilities. Right now you can see everything in a half hour. The museum has been partially renovated. The café is beautiful but not open.
The current exhibit is for the Christmas/​Three Kings holiday. It’s only two rooms. I really enjoyed the little that is on display. I was told the café reopens in February. The next exhibit will be in February. I’m assuming they will have a grand reopening then.
It’s not worth full admission price unless you area kind hearted supporter like I am. Grandma was free. Today we did get a card for free admission to the Museum of NY. I was told it does not expire. That will be another day!
So many cute things in the gift shop. Prices are reasonable for smaller trinkets.
I will be returning. I signed up for emails. I hope they keep me posted about exhibits and renovation progress!
This museum has been here many years. Please support if you are able!

Contacted the museum to conduct some research on one of their artists they were exhibiting. Had the misfortune of connecting with Anna Ficek who described herself as the Head Curator. What a rotten and rude individual. I imagine she is the individual others are refering to when they are complaining of a rogue rude employee. She was condescending in her tone.

I visited here only because I got a free admission card from MCNY. The gallery only has a few rooms and that’s it. It’s just not the museum for me but maybe people who enjoys Latin culture and art will love it.

Don’t expect much from a museum with a Spanish name that is dedicate to a place name «El Barrio,» which in Spanish meant «the hood (or slum)»
This museum isn’t exactly on the same level as The Metropolitan Museum of Art or The Frick Collection on Fifth Avenue, if you know what I mean.
Art works seem like they were made by kindergarten or primary school children.

I loved this museum. I came here because of a project for my Spanish class. It was a great experience and I learned a lot actually.
when I have more time, I want to come back. There is however a rude security staff member but whatever. I’m not there to look at his/​her face but I’m there for the art

I enjoyed the exhibits there on Gabriel Figueroa. He’s a director/​cinematographer and the one gallery had his works. I liked this place a lot and had a nice time, but it is a smaller museum, so be cautious of that. The layout was interesting and pretty straight forward. Some actual videos and paintings were shown, along with some prints.
It’s a nice place to check out and you also get free admission to the Museum of the City of New York you can check out as well. $ 5 for students

We came on the third Saturday of the month which is apparently free entry day every month. The entire museum was devoted to the works of a single mexican artist, which made it seem less… Puerto Rican. It has one of the best museum cafeterias I have ever seen– empanadas, espresso, and other latino foods for a decent price. All through the day they seemed to have family friendly performances and activities lined up (Dances, movies, workshops). Definitely worth a trip if you’re going to be on the Upper East Side.

I wish I could give it 0 stars!
First of all, I never been to a museum that had so many security guards in a such a small space. The security acted like we were children and stopped us in each hallway! They keep saying that there was signs everywhere saying «DONT TOUCH» but I didn’t even see one! Their was only one security guard that was nice. After 5 minutes of being in the museum, I wanted to leave. Some of the paintings were not even explained properly. The food in the cafeteria sucks and they were overpriced! Word of advice! Don’t waste your time and most important don’t waste your money! Go somewhere else!

The best part of this museum is that a ticket includes admission to the Museum of the City of New York down the street.
Part of my disappointment has to to with the misleading content, the other with general management apathy.
As some other reviews note, this place is actually an art museum with two exhibits. Say what? I was surprised. I’m from Puerto Rico and came here to learn more about my own roots and about the rich Puerto Rican and Hispanic community here in New York. I wanted facts & figures, stories about immigration, urban renewal, music, food, etc.
Instead, I stumbled across some modern art curtailing «the Hispanic experience» in an abstract and subjective way. That’s all fine and good, but give me some context to it.
I expected to get that context through either a tour or a film. However, this museum really does neither. I asked the cashier if they had any tours going; she responded I needed to reserve one 2 weeks in advance. Coincidentally, I spotted a tour in the lobby a few feet away. I asked if I could join. «Sorry, it’s for employees only,» she said.
I felt excluded and, frankly, unwelcome.

I’m only giving it 3stars for the simple fact that I didn’t look at much in the museum but what I did see what good.
Came here for Uptown Bounce and had fun! Who doesn’t like free admission to a musuem, with a dj and party on the front steps with a cash bar?
Plan to revisit this musuem as well as the others on musuem mile.

This museum is not for tourists! If you are one you should read the other reviews of 3 stars or less.
We decided to visit the Day of the Dead fest this past weekends with some pretty high hopes since I’ve been wanting to visit this museum for a while now.
First due to the wonderful and ever disappointing subways system we were very late and missed the procession but made it at the end when they reached the museum. The costumes looked awesome and the huge puppet caught our attention immediately. So I’m getting out my phone to snap some pics and some guy tells me I can’t and we all have to go inside now. WTF?! First impression of the staff Not Good!
Once inside there was already a line formed as if people got to line up during the procession to go upstairs to face painting and art. I was told the line would take 30 minutes so we went to the gallery first instead. The people before this post said it takes about 30 mins to walk through. They must have been walking slow because That took maybe 15.
Back out to the gift shop for 5. Line starts moving. We get in it and girl says it’ll be 30 more minutes. We go to the café, food smells awesome, we didn’t try any, and the fire alarm starts blaring. They make everyone go outside and we are sent down to the sidewalks. Back in after 8 fire trucks come and leave about 15 mins later and BACK in line again. Took about 15 – 20 minutes to get upstairs. Art area was okay. The volunteer was sweet.
Face painting was cute. Plenty of painters but you had to stand in another 10 minute line for that.
Glad we experienced it. My 9 year old hated it. Will not go again and do not really recommend it without them adding another wing of art and for the festivals throwing in some continuous music, live artists, about 20 more face painters and have the puppet and procession people walk around the whole time so you can take pictures.

I wanted to volunteer and I decided El Museo del Barrio would be the perfect place for me. I attended «Radiance» the Wednesday event to check out the museum beforehand. i was able to see the current exhibit called LaBienal: Here is where we jump. I loved the exhibit showcasing 37 up and coming Latin artist! Radiance ended in a DJ dance party in the café. It was tons of fun and very family friendly.
I began volunteering last Saturday for the «Super Sabados». The event is every third Thursday of the month. Free admission and jam packed with activities from morning until night. I helped with the storytelling, in the old 1920’s orphanage theater. The walls were covered in original art. Beautiful! I helped the children on stage and they enjoyed dancing and hearing the story.
Afterwards, I helped the kids making their own zines, cutting, pasting, drawing and collage. It was a blast! I loved being able to volunteer at an organization that is such a positive presence in the East Harlem community.

Really, Really, Really didn’t like museum. I thought it would have been a 100 times better, but it really failed in my expectations for it.
The «art» was scarce. I think they could really make better use of their space.
I thought they would have some things regarding the culture of el Barrio, how it developed, where the people came from, etc. So many people who live in El Barrio are Puerto Rican so I expected to see more things about Tainos, but all I saw was one, maybe 2 things regarding that group.
The girl at the main desk never told us it was a suggested price and so we ended up paying the full price which was even more upsetting considering we didn’t like what we saw.
Only reason why I gave it 2 stars was because it was air conditioned and I was in desperate need of some AC as it was so hot outside.
I won’t be going back. ever!

Me gustó. Mucho.

This place is huge, but most of the top floors are dedicated to their Charter School, so it’s just the first floor.
The gallery was impressive-​I really dislike those paintings of nothing, if you know what I mean. If you like something a little more modern ‘n different, then definitely go here.
There’s tons of 3D work, videos on breakdancing, you see melting portraits of Mickey Mouse ‘n Obama, portraits of wrinkled photos (interesting concept!), a ton of cardboard chain links (remember when we used to make them in school??), a huge structure made of dinner napkins, rows of pics just highlighting people’s eyes, a rainbow of store bags (yes, Forever 21’s yellow bag is on there!), actual skateboards with drawings on the back of ‘em, etc.
Can you tell by that description alone, that this museum has got tons of fascinating paintings, props and structures to look at?
It’s always suggested donation, and free on Weds from 6−9pm. Holla.

Today is Dia de Los Muertos! (The Chinese call it ⁹⁄₉)
And the liveliest place to celebrate «Day of the Dead» is at El Museo Museo Del Barrio and get your face painted! (Well, half your face.)
I hated to eat and run from the Hester St. Grub Fair but there was only so much living people I can put up with and I can’t miss Day of the Dead! (It is to die for…)
This newly renovated museum which housed some great Latin artist’s work had face painting today. My kids love it.
Sorry, people with cameras are not allowed due to safe issues. ^_^