A plethora of white walls, open space, and contemporary art meet the eye in The (new) New Museum, that opened on the first of this month in the Lower East Side. With a lot of hype surrounding its opening, the “stacked rectilinear boxed structure” made news even before construction had began. Many critics highlighted how the museum was just another example of the neighborhood’s rapid transformation. The Bowery’s change has been monumental: from the dangerous days of the past, to a swanky hood complete with a new Whole Foods, expensive condos and hotels. The museum’s move from Soho to the LES, where contemporary art seems to ooze out of every street corner, was an opportunity for the museum to return to its roots. Whether the New Museum is returning home, or bringing new crowds to the neighborhood, the building and exhibitions speak for themselves.

“Unmonumental: The Object in the 21st Century” is the first sculptural exhibition to grace the three floors of spacious (column-free) galleries, and is part of the museum’s collective exhibition, “Unmonumental: An Exhibition in Four Parts.” The expansive white walls and the high ceilings with sky lights give each floor a sense of freedom that is absent from all other museums in the city. While other museums can tend to make you feel sucked in, The New Museum gives you the room to stroll. Yes, stroll. Not once did I have to push past another art voyeur to take a good look at a striking detail. This subtle yet remarkable difference was cherished during my first experience with the art and its space.

I try to maintain an open mind when I know I’m going to a contemporary art exhibition. With that single expectation in my consciousness, I found each artist’s piece whimsical and fun. I don’t deny there weren’t a few pieces that had me skeptical in regards to its difficulty or craftsmanship (the typical thoughts, “I or a five year old could have constructed that” definitely passed through my mind), but overall I found most pieces very inviting. So inviting, I wish I could have touched the art. If I were to give one adjective to the “Unmonumental” exhibition it would definitely be “tactile.” From the yarn caps, to the button collaged mattress, to the dangling key rings, each one evoked a sensory desire to go against the child’s engrained rule of “look with your eyes and not with your hands.” It’s too bad every “unmonumental” piece was “untouchable.”

I’ll admit I didn’t have a chance to take a look at the other three parts of the total exhibition. The other three parts were comprised of pieces from online art, 2-D collage, and audio work. These other unexplored parts, the snazzy open-air café, and the bookstore alone are enough motivation to head back for a second trip. I recommend going on Thursday nights from 7-10 when the art experience is free, and when the view of The Empire State Building (seen from the Bowery Street front doors) shines on in classic New York fashion. If you can’t wait until then, check out The New Museum’s other opening hours and events here. If anything, head to The (new) New Museum and Bowery to get your bearings in a neighborhood that is changing, and to see those “stacked boxes” among run-down businesses. The contrast is definitely monumental.