Adding nothing to the narrative or to the conversation about art is what they are doing when they bring up the «fact» that a painting by Piet Mondrian was hung, supposedly «upside down» in a German museum. And I say that this narrative/conversation means nothing because abstract art does not necessarily have to be hung «right side up» for it to be valid or for it to make sense. And in any event, to not risk damaging the painting, it will remain «upside down».
Abstract art removes itself from the metaphor of life, therefore it does not require the same rules as figurative art, which is making a realistic statement of life. Therefore, it makes no difference which way it is hung. Think of Jackson Pollock, he painted on the floor without caring, one way or another, where the top is and where the bottom is. Many times I have hung my abstract paintings in different ways just to bring out a different feel or emotion. Changing the perspective does not detract anything from the value of abstract art.
«New York City I 1941» was exhibited for the first time at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in Manhattan in 1945. Since 1980 it hangs in the art collection of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf. Susanne Meyer-Büser, curator for a new Mondrian exhibition, investigated and discovered the error. Her research led her to a photograph of Mondrian’s studio that was taken before his death and which was published in Town and Country magazine in June 1944. The photo shows the painting on the easel the right way. The painting is not signed and has no indication as to where the top is. Mondrian died without finishing this piece.
I wonder, if this is all a way to generate propaganda for the exhibition.
I invite you to delve deeper into abstract art… This video features, among others, work by Piet Mondrian.
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
You’re probably right. They’re trying to drum up tourism and business.
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That’s what it seems to me because really, who cares, and better yet, what difference does it make? Mondrian used to mark the back of his geometrical (formula-made) abstracts so he would know where the top was, but this one was not marked or signed, signifying he did not finish it, so what difference does it make? Abstract art is not subject to the same rules as figurative, so looking at the work from another perspective or position should only add to the painting, not detract. Thank you so much and all the best.
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