Polaroid has launched a new collaboration that merges art, design, and technology: introducing the Polaroid Now Generation 3 MoMA Edition, a limited-edition instant camera created in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art in New York. And what better occasion to revisit the historic connection between Polaroid, the art world, and MoMA?
Since the 1960s and ’70s, artists like Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, and Robert Frank have embraced Polaroid as a tool for artistic expression, thanks to its immediacy, spontaneity, and the uniqueness of each shot. Some of these works are now part of MoMA’s permanent collection, as the museum has long recognized the cultural value of instant photography. Betye Saar, also referenced in the camera’s frame designs, used photography as a means to explore identity and memory—recurring themes in her visual work.
Polaroids in the MoMA Collection
Among the most notable Polaroid works in MoMA’s collection is Blue Head (1982) by William Wegman, a color print showcasing his distinctive style, often centered around his iconic Weimaraners posed in conceptual settings. From Robert Frank, the museum holds Boston, March 20, 1985, a series of color Polaroids combined with painted interventions that reflect his exploration of mixed media. Walker Evans, a master of documentary photography, used the Polaroid to capture everyday scenes in a direct and instantaneous way, as seen in his small untitled color print from 1974.
In 1967, William Anastasi created Nine Polaroid Photographs of a Mirror, a collection of black-and-white Polaroids that reflect on themes of perception and reflection. Nancy Burson, on the other hand, with Untitled (Mr. Buggs) from 1994, explores ideas of identity and transformation through instant photography. Lastly, Marie Cosindas, a pioneer in using Polaroid color film, had a solo exhibition at MoMA as early as 1966, featuring a series of portraits and still lifes that fully reveal the medium’s chromatic potential.
Polaroid x MoMA
Now, back to the new camera created in collaboration with MoMA. The design of the camera is minimalist yet striking: a monochromatic blue body with the MoMA logo prominently displayed, accompanied by three wrist straps with graphic patterns that add a contemporary flair.
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Based on the Now Generation 3, the camera retains all the features beloved by fans: dual-lens autofocus, a double exposure mode for more experimental shots, and a smart flash for naturally toned images. The set also includes a limited-edition pack of i-Type film, featuring 12 frames decorated with original graphics, quotes from artists like Van Gogh, Betye Saar, and Milton Glaser, and of course, the MoMA logo.
The Polaroid Now Generation 3 MoMA Edition is available for $130 on Polaroid’s official website, at MoMA Design Stores, and select retailers. A collectible item that’s more than just a camera—it’s a living tribute to the history of instant photography and its enduring connection to contemporary art.
