Guggenheim Spotlights Diverse Works Made With Found Objects

The Guggenheim Museum‘s latest exhibition, By Way Of: Material and Motion in the Guggenheim Collection, is on display until January 12, 2025. The show moves beyond traditional studio art, showcasing artists who experiment outside the usual boundaries. Inspired by the D.Daskalopoulos Collection Gift, the exhibit spans from the 1960s to today.

Historically, studios were sacred spaces for creation. But from the 20th century onward, artists broke free, finding inspiration in the streets, nature, and everyday life — as the museum noted in its press release. This exhibit captures that shift with works combining various media—video in sculpture, tapestry as painting, and sound art in found objects.

The exhibition features post-war artists like Pier Paolo Calzolari and Jannis Kounellis, part of the Arte Povera movement, who used everyday materials to create anti-elitist art. Modern artists like Anthony Akinbola and Rashid Johnson use common grooming items to explore identity and care. David Hammons and Senga Nengudi craft figures from cheap materials, while Mona Hatoum offers a disturbing twist with a dining space meant to “consume” her bodily interior.

The exhibit tackles questions on waste, borders, and identity, challenging traditional categories and offering a full sensory experience. Head to the Guggenheim’s website for more information.

Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Ave
New York, NY 10128