Ann Temkin on MoMA’s Duchamp Retrospective and Her Curatorial Philosophy

For almost two decades, Ann Temkin has been the chief curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She recently put together a major exhibition centered on Marcel Duchamp. In a new interview, Temkin discusses the five-year process that led to this show and her dedication to connecting art with its audience. Interestingly, she draws inspiration from John Cage's 1995 exhibition “Rolywholyover A Circus,” which she oversaw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This exhibit used a computer program based on the I Ching to alter the display of artworks every day, highlighting the element of chance. Temkin also shares her curatorial philosophy and notes that swimming provides her with both energy and stability. This interview is featured in CULTURED’s 2026 CULT100 honorees collection.