The Met To Inaugurate Facade, Great Hall Exhibits In 2019

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Some of the world's most renowned and expensive works of art are kept inside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year, the Met is commissioning art to be shown on the outside of its walls.

The museum has commissioned Artist Wangechi Mutu to create sculptures that will adorn the Met's Fifth Avenue facade as part of an inaugural exhibit, museum officials announced. Artist Kent Monkman will also be tasked with creating art for another under-utilized spot in the museum, its great hall.

"These projects are a manifestation of The Met's desire and ability to collaborate with artists and current artistic production in an unusual way. The Met itself, the building, and its public spaces will become temporary platforms for presenting new work, offering powerful opportunities to display contemporary art for our broad audience to experience," Max Hollein, director of the museum, said in a statement.

Mutu's exhibit will be the first time art has ever been displayed on the Met's facade, museum officials said. The Richard Morris Hunt-designed facade opened to the public in 1902. Mutu's works will go on display starting Sept. 9 and be on view through Jan. 12, 2020.

Monkman's exhibit in the great hall will go on display from Dec. 19 to April 12, 2020.