10 Tips for Visiting the New SFMOMA

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is back after a three-year renovation, and it’s beautiful. The museum opens to the public this Saturday, May 14, but I couldn’t wait so I signed up for membership and have already visited the museum twice in the last two weeks during member previews! Below are just a few glimpses at the vast new space. If you’re planning your own visit, be sure to scroll to the bottom for 10 tips on visiting the new SFMOMA.

If you enter from Howard Street, you’ll be greeted by this giant Richard Serra sculpture.

 

A little glimpse of Matisse.

Half the fun of exploring the new museum is just seeing all the new architectural features.

Three of twenty-seven sketches by Thomas Schütte on the seventh floor.

  

Photographs by Bernd and Hilla Becher on the 6th floor.

The Campaign for Art gallery on the seventh floor is one of my favorites. Also this little girl with her camera.

Double America by Glenn Ligon / Mark Bradford

On the left, a drawing made from covering a basketball in graphite and bouncing it on the paper, meant to evoke the elusive promise of basketball for low-income youth looking to escape poverty by David Hammons // on the right, ancient Chinese pots irreverently painted over by Ai Weiwei.

 

One of my favorite galleries: a large collection of portraits by Chuck Close, who explored making these portraits by various media before settling on his signature style as seen on the very left side. See more of each separate medium below.

Below, closeups of a portrait made of fingerprints; a woven tapestry; and paper mache.

Cy Twombly on the fourth floor.

I could just hang out in that window nook all afternoon.

The oculus was part of the old building and is still central in this light-filled space of the new building.

Looking up at the oculus from the first floor lobby, with a Calder sculpture in view.

The third floor houses the Pritzker Center for Photography, which is such an impressive collection. It’s inspiring and humbling to place myself back in this canon of work, especially in seeing the rich history of photography in California specifically. (Ansel Adams, anyone?) Below is an experiment in expired film.

Left, the very fun and unique SFMOMA photo booth, which I did with my museum membership buddy Nancy. Don’t miss it on the 3rd floor next to Sightglass Coffee. / Right, “Pleasures and Terrors of Levitation” by Aaron Siskind.

Back on the 5th floor, Andy Warhol’s print, made in collaboration with subject/photographer/friend Robert Mapplethorpe.

One of my absolute favorites of the photography exhibits, not only because this particular image is hilarious, but also because the whole series is fascinating. Jim Goldberg’s series “Rich and Poor” comprises images from 1977-85 on which he asked subjects to add their own writing, which challenged the traditional relationship between documentary photographer and subject. If you can’t read the image below, Edgar wrote: “My wife is Acceptable. Our relationship is satisfactory.” his wife wrote everything else. =)

“Open Book #4 (Pink Floyd)” by Anne Collier

A whole alphabet of Patty Hearst.

“Three Pointed Waterfall” by Pat Steir, on the 4th floor.

“Psychedelic Cowhand” by Cady Noland, 7th floor.

Sharon fits perfectly in the Dan Flavin portal.

 

During my first visit, sculptures were still being installed in the courtyard. But it was all set up by my second visit.

Sharon and Vay, my museum buddies! / Right, upon our first visit, we got to watch this contraption draw an entire design on the chalkboard wall. It wasn’t in operation the second time I went.

A Calder sculpture and the giant living wall that incorporates hundreds of native California species. Definitely one of the coolest features, found on the third floor.

And one final look at the new building, from the 7th floor balcony. I’m thrilled to have this new museum in San Francisco and so happy to be a member. You’ll find me spending many more hours here in the months to come.

10 TIPS FOR VISITING THE NEW SFMOMA

1. In the first couple months of the museum’s opening, timed tickets are required for entry. You can book them online and pull them up on your phone to be scanned. Of course it’s going to be packed for a while, so aim for weekday mornings if you’re hoping for fewer crowds. Once you enter, you can stay until closing.
2. The two times I visited, they did a visual check for tickets at the entrance, but then it was a little unclear where to go next. You should head up to the second floor. They’ll scan your tickets at the elevators. I did my visits from the top down, starting at the seventh floor, but there are advantages to starting from the ground up as well. Choose your own adventure!
3. Much of the first and second floors are always free and open to the public! Come by and just hang out in the beautiful spaces.
4. The museum is huge. You can easily spend 4-5 hours exploring the galleries. Pace yourself and plan accordingly. There are plenty of courtyards, balconies, and non-gallery spaces where you can take a break.
5. Street parking can be very difficult in the area. It is probably easiest bike, walk, or take public transit– or park in a garage: try Fifth and Mission or the Moscone Garage.
6. Be sure to check out the bathrooms on the upper floors. They each offer a brightly colored surprise.
7. Don’t miss the unique photobooth on the third floor in a little nook next to the Sightglass Coffee.
8. Photography is allowed in all of the galleries. Just turn off your flash and leave your tripods and selfie sticks at home.
9. The SFMOMA website has all sorts of great little articles and videos featuring different aspects of the museum. If you want to add even more dimension to your visit, spend some time perusing Projects + Perspectives.
10. If you’re an art lover, consider signing up for the Supporter Level membership. It’s $300 for two members and comes complete with reciprocal membership with art museums across the country, including the Whitney and Guggenheim in New York; MOCA in LA; MOCA in Chicago; and NOMA in New Orleans, amongst others. Basic memberships start from $100. Extra tip: for the best value, buy your membership at the beginning of the month; it’ll extend through the end of that month, one year later.

Have you visited the new SFMOMA yet? How was it? Any favorite pieces? Any other recommendations for first-time visitors?

Anna Wu is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Francisco but often traveling and working around the world. See more of her museum, opera, and symphony exploits under #awculturetime on instagram and view more of her professional work at annawu.com.