The article reviews the sixth edition of MoMA PS1's quinquennial survey 'Greater New York 2026,' which coincides with the institution's 50th anniversary. It highlights works by artists such as Covey Gong, Win McCarthy, Mekko Harjo, and Sophie Friedman-Pappas, noting how the exhibition's themeless structure and use of reflective surfaces create a hall of distorted reflections. The show includes 53 emerging and midcareer artists, mostly millennials, and is accompanied by a block party and gala rather than a dedicated commemorative exhibition like FORTY (2016).
This matters because the exhibition marks a significant milestone for MoMA PS1, originally founded as P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in 1976 by curator Alanna Heiss as part of the alternative space movement. The article contrasts the original ethos of freeing art from institutional and commercial pressures with the current reality, where inclusion in 'Greater New York' represents hard-earned entry into the professional art world. The review also critiques the show's polished presentation, noting that despite nostalgic expectations of grit and mess, the exhibition feels streamlined and commercial, reflecting broader shifts in the art world since the 1970s.