Transitional Object (PsychoBarn)

When I heard that the new rooftop exhibition at the Met was inspired by one of my favorite Edward Hopper paintings, classic red barns and the house from Psycho, I knew I had see it. I had been to the Met many times but I'd never made it to the rooftop garden, so Psychobarn was the perfect excuse to go check it out.

Cornelia Parker's Transitional Object (Psychobarn) is built from a deconstructed red barn and scaled in such a way that feels both realistic and slightly unnerving. Edward Hopper's "House By the Railroad" has always been one of my very favorite paintings and I dream of living in my very own rambling, haunted house one day. Even if it's an odd scale, I would move into Psychobarn in a second—coupled with the city views, it's pretty much my dream house.

Of course no one can actually go into Psychobarn, because the back of the house reveals that the facades are propped up by scaffolding. It's an interesting touch, and very fitting in the ripe-for-Instagram setting. It was nearly impossible to take a photo of the entire house without getting a person in the shot, and I lost count of the number of selfies I witnessed. I love Instagram as much as anyone, but it kills me to see people walk up to a piece of art, snap a photo and walk away without taking any time to view the art with their actual eyeballs—or worse yet, stand obliviously in the way of someone else who came to the museum to do just that.

Even if Psychobarn isn't your jam (but really, it's pretty awesome), go for the picture-perfect skyline and Central Park views. It seems silly that I've waited so long to see the rooftop, but it's thrilling to still find places that make me feel as if I'm seeing this city for the very first time. It's such a privilege to be able to pay a dollar (my go-to "suggested donation") and spend my lunch break in awe of this city and its endless delights.