In the Rearview Mirror: 2021

Obligatory selfie in the super shiny Airstream at MOMA’s Automania in August.

2021 wasn’t exactly the year many of us hoped it would be. But I have so many things to be grateful for! Here’s a look in the rearview mirror at the year that was.

This year I dove into projects of all shapes and sizes with topics as varied as John F. Kennedy, dinosaurs, cotton, and active design, from New York City’s history, to its recent past, and its plans for the future. I’ve visited more than a few exhibitions here in New York, and took my first trip to Memphis, a city on the verge of a renaissance. I built websites for amazing curators including Jeannine Falino, Jacqueline P. Hudson, and Steven H. Jaffe — not to mention a new website for the East Harlem Holiday Tree Committee!

I would like to thank all of my clients, collaborators, and supporters for making 2021 a great year for SGJ Consulting. Thank you for all of the projects, zooms, coffees, phone calls, lunches, and museum field trips!

Here’s what I’ll remember most:

It was nice when #WFH wasn’t always from home…

Bell Works (designed by Eero Saarinen), Holmdel, New Jersey

Ok, it's my back deck, but still.

At the renovated NYPL branch on 42nd St.

I was lucky to see the resilience of New York’s museums first hand.

Pandemic MOMA was almost empty.

But it gave me a chance to think about one work of art in the context of the building itself. Read the blog here.

Pandemic MET was very quiet.

So I got to thinking about sounds and crowds, and how a place like the Met just isn’t the same without them. Click to read the blog here.

Grief and Grievance at the New Museum was powerful and sad.

Automania at MOMA was a bit of a mess.

Not a Ford in sight.

Bound for Versailles at the Morgan was beautiful.

NYPL's Treasures show was wonderful.

Exactly what you hope a treasures show would be, some obscure things, some stunning things, some big, some tiny, some objects, some books, some manuscripts. All beautifully installed.

AMNH's reinstalled minerals and gemstones gallery was jaw dropping.

And pulled off a neat trick of being informative, too.

PS - AMNH should really think about doing a little dusting.

Friends and colleagues shared photos of An Almanac of New York City for the Year 2022 found in bookstores all around the city! Read more about the project here.

Found at McNally Jackson, Seaport

Found at Books are Magic, Brooklyn

Found at the Morgan Library

Found at Barnes & Nobel, Manhattan

Found at Kinokuniya, Bryant Park

Found at Museum of the City of New York, East Harlem

I visited Memphis, a city on the verge of something big. Full of museums and ripe for cultural & heritage tourism.

Music is at the heart of Memphis history.

But so is segregation.

The National Civil Rights Museum was very dramatic.

The museum creates an immersive, emotional experience through theatrical props and lighting.

But I wondered about King's motel room.

Did the theatricality of the rest of the museum contribute to, or take away from the visitor’s experience of authenticity?

The mighty Mississippi.

The Ornamental Metal Museum is a delightful surprise.

Even the hotel was part museum.

Finally, I want to say how deeply I enjoyed working with my clients and connecting with colleagues during this unpredictable year.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to chat about new projects for 2022, I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you again and cheers to the New Year!