Anticipation Builds for the Last Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden Exhibition Scheduled for 2030
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden is now home to a captivating public sculpture, "Ensemble," which marks the 2025 Roof Garden Commission by Cincinnati-born artist Jennie C. Jones. This installation, open from April 15, 2025, until October 19, 2025, is the twelfth in the Met’s celebrated rooftop series and Jones's second major outdoor work.
"Ensemble" is a thought-provoking exploration of minimalist traditions and Black avant-garde music, subtly challenging established art historical canons without resorting to overt narrative or polemic. The installation consists of three large-scale forms, each scaled to interact visually and conceptually with the Manhattan skyline.
One form resembles a trapezoidal zither, another evokes a soaring Aeolian harp, and a third presents a doubled, leaning one-string instrument. These sculptures are not activated by performers but by the city’s wind and weather, allowing natural forces to "play" the piece and create an ever-changing acoustic experience.
Industrial panels are used in the installation, a nod to the acoustic fiberglass Jones employs in her canvases. Taut cables within the installation function as musical notation, further emphasising the symphony of sound that permeates "Ensemble."
Viewing of "Ensemble" is included with general admission to the museum. Evening hours for viewing stretch to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, providing an opportunity for a unique, after-dark experience.
However, the upcoming season's show of "Ensemble" feels fleeting due to the pause in Roof Garden Commissions during the construction of the Met's new modern wing and expanded terrace, expected to debut in 2030. During this period, from 2026 to 2029, the Roof Garden Commission will be unavailable for viewing.
The museum is preparing to break ground on the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, the future home of modern and contemporary art. This exciting development promises to further enrich the Met's offerings and solidify its position as a global cultural hub.
Despite the temporary closure of the Roof Garden Commission, "Ensemble" stands as a testament to Jones's innovative approach to art and her ability to question the art canon without explicitly raising her voice. Don't miss this opportunity to experience this captivating installation before it closes on October 19, 2025.
This installation, "Ensemble," by Jones, integrates music into art through sculptures that are designed to respond to the city's wind and weather, creating a unique, ever-changing acoustic experience. This captivating exploration of minimalist traditions and Black avant-garde music is included with general admission to the museum, offering a rare opportunity for an after-dark, immersive experience with art and music.
