Step into the captivating world of the Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a living testament to a life. A life dedicated to art. A life lived in this very building. The foundation is housed within Chaim Gross’s historic four-story home. He lived and worked here. This townhouse on LaGuardia Place in Greenwich Village. It’s been a creative hub since the 1830s. First an industrial loft. Then the Gross family’s home in 1963.
Imagine Chaim Gross himself. A pioneering sculptor. He transformed this space into his studio. The dramatic skylight floods the first floor with light. Tools and materials remain. A testament to his direct carving technique. A method he introduced to America. This unique approach is showcased through a permanent installation of his sculptures. Pieces from the 1920s to the 1980s. They tell his story. A journey through his artistic evolution.
Venture upstairs. The second floor pulses with changing exhibits. Explore themes in modern American art. Past exhibitions have delved into the photography of sculpture. Others explored American surrealism. The foundation also hosts talks. Poetry readings are another regular occurrence. Joint programs with the SoHo Arts Network are also common.
On the third floor. The Gross family’s living and dining space. Time stands still. The space remains exactly as it was during the artist’s lifetime. It’s a Salon-style installation. A curated collection reflecting Gross’s wide-ranging tastes. Pre-Columbian art. European pieces. African art. American works. Thousands of objects fill this space. They are part of his personal collection. He had a large personal collection of art from around the world.
The Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation isn’t just a museum. It’s a journey. A journey through the life and work of a remarkable artist. A journey through the history of 20th-century American art. It’s a journey that welcomes students and artists. They come from New York Studio School. New York University. CUNY Staten Island. They study and create here. They continue his legacy. A legacy that started in this building. In this very place. It’s a legacy that continues to inspire.