PS1

When Gertrude Stein mused that it is not possible to be both modern and a museum, she foresaw some of the most pressing challenges facing institutions like PS1. Being modern means presenting, and possibly also marketing, contemporary art that has yet to stand the test of time. Curators are prone to the vicissitudes of passing fads, personal biases, and the politics of their interpersonal connections. Because of these challenges, it may become difficult to make value judgments that impinge on the character and brand of the institution. Yet the classical art market has become insufficient to meet the needs of the contemporary art institution. Coupled with pragmatic concerns like funding, adequate access to resources presents problems that encourage curators and museum directors to think creatively and critically about their collections, whether temporary or permanent.

The role of the contemporary art institution has become one of building bridges. Some of...
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