Submitted by Sandra Skurvida, Dec 30, 2007 13:09

Following the extended waiting period, and great expectations fuelled by all the positive reviews, I went to the New Museum yesterday, and wept. The building, so lauded by all, appeared to be a holiday confection on the brutalist architecture, which now looks better than the New Museum anytime. Its lime green elevator was moving like a giant turtle through the floors, with no other way to get around, except, of course, emergency stairs, packed with museumgoers. The show merged into sameness, as if curators wanted to show all shades of irrelevance. The only piece that begged to differ was Sharon Hays', apart from others in the landing of the one and only (decorative) staircase in the building. the New Museum's shows used to be unruly and argumentative, but they were almost never outdated and irrelevant. Acute disappointment prompted me to look for other views that would differ from the widespread critical oblivion; thank you for your support, Lance.

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