2026 will see another esteemed arts institution added to New York’s roster. This newcomer, named CANYON, will break new ground in the city by converting a previously unused 40,000-square-foot commercial property into a vibrant center for video, audio performances, and long-term art projects.
CANYON, a blend of museum, stage, and community hub, aspires to introduce richness to innovative artistic expressions. It will operate primarily during evening hours and boast advanced technology designed for captivating, screen-based narratives – experiences that demand more than a casual glance, according to co-founder Joe Thompson.
The institution, established by philanthropist Robert Rosenkranz and Thompson, who is also the founding director of MASS MoCA, primarily focuses on supporting artists working with time-based media. These artists grapple with concepts related to surveillance, artificial intelligence, and climate anxiety. As people increasingly interact with information, memories, and identities through screens, video has emerged as a significant medium for the younger generations. Artists are creatively utilizing this medium in innovative ways, according to Rosenkranz.
The future establishment is planning to settle at Essex Crossing in Lower East Side. New Affiliates Architecture has been chosen to oversee the renovation process, which includes 18,000 square feet of gallery space, a 60-foot high communal area, and a 300-seat auditorium for performances like concerts, lectures, and screenings. As stated by Thompson, the aim is to create an inviting atmosphere that feels more like a cozy living room rather than a sterile gallery, with hospitality and ambiance as priorities. Important cultural partners such as Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music will also have a long-term presence within CANYON.
During the ongoing development phase, proposed plans encompass a look back at Japanese sound and media artist Ryoji Ikeda’s work, along with “Worldbuilding,” the widely recognized group exhibition focusing on video games, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist. As New York continually expands the horizons of modern culture, CANYON aspires to be a forward-thinking platform for the ever-evolving vocabulary of contemporary art.
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2025-06-13 20:25