MoMA Poll

Hans Haacke (America; 1936-Present)
MoMA Poll (c. 1970)
The Museum of Modern Art (New York City, U.S.)

Accompanying Song: Another Brink in the Wall by Pink Floyd










This unique form of art behaves like a monument while introducing public interaction. The piece consists of a big poster board with the question "Would the fact that Governor Rockefeller has not denounced President Nixon's Indochina Policy be a reason for you not voting for him in November?" and two ballot boxes made of plexi-glass. The results yielded twice as many “yes” ballots than “no” ballots. The interactive aspect of t his work fuses it with plenty of power. It is no longer the sole creation of one person but is the resulting masterpiece of a collection of people. The public's involvement in this piece strengthens its statement and validity. Governor Rockefeller was a member MoMA's board of trustees at the time. This is the first work of Institutional Critique (critique of art institutions)(“Hans Haacke”). MoMA poll rebels against the structure of art institutions and refuses to conform to the institution's mandates. The issue may not be a huge movement, but Haacke's work represents art's ability to instigate change and to rally public favor.