Review of New Museum : "New Humans: Memories of the Future," Anicka Yi’s “In Love with the World”

 

Review of New Museum : "New Humans: Memories of the Future," Anicka Yi’s “In Love with the World”

By Evan Wu

The reopening of the New Museum in 2026 stands out as one of the most anticipated events in New York—not just because of its new building, but because of what the institution represents for contemporary art today. Unlike institutions such as the MET or MOMA, the New Museum is often described as the only museum solely devoted to contemporary art in Manhattan. The museum has built its reputation on showing artists early in their careers, often before they gain global recognition. The museum debuts with a large show featuring 150 artists to discuss and speculate on the world right now, especially in relation to AI and humanity.

I would explain the show as a strong demonstration of Masahiro Mori’s idea of the uncanny valley. The art in the show evokes a sense of uncanniness in the viewer. Uncanniness relies on our internalized understanding of norms and expectations; even a small disruption in a familiar object can expose the invisible structures that shape our behavior. Anicka Yi presents “aerobes,” machines that float in the air, inspired by ocean creatures and mushrooms. These machines blur the line between machine, biology, and atmosphere, reimagining how robots (AI) might exist in the modern world.

Yi’s work makes the space feel alive, with automated moving machines floating throughout the space, breaking boundaries and the typical museum approach to space and confinement. These machines float on their own. The museum staff explained that “these machines are running on their own, almost like cyborgs, with cameras set within the roof of the room to give boundaries to the ‘aerobes’; other than that, they are running by themselves.” Yi’s work represents the reopening of the New Museum and its dedication to another era. The work represents the future and gives viewers a chance to imagine what our future might look like, and the merging of humanity and robots.