W 36th St – Natural Selection & Contemporary Slavery

Any way you look at it, getting over to 10^th Avenue in Midtown is a schlep. Grab some outstanding arepas (Venezuelan sandwiches) at Shachis Arepas To Go on 35th & 8th (or order online for delivery!) and keep hoofing it westward. Once you get there, you’ll find some pretty incredible things. First, there is Christopher Adams’ Natural Selection at Hosfelt Gallery. It’s like visiting the Hall of Biodiversity without all the taxidermy. To me, Adams' work suggests those cool microorganism replicas on display in the Spectrum of Life section, and it turns out there is good reason for that. He studied evolutionary biology at Harvard, and his ceramic sculptures are meant to represent what happens when a common structure evolves in unique, varied ways. They are awesome even if you’re not into science.

While you’re at Hosfelt, with thoughts drifting to the Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side, Jeremy Stenger’s work reminds you that you’re in New York’s Historic Garment District. Stenger's gorgeous acrylic canvases are inspired by antique textiles, contemporary bedding and cloisonné (aka multi-step enamel metalworking), among other things, and they are bursting with rich colors, patterns and textures. Still, the way these patterns seem to flow and meld and undulate might keep you mindful of Mother Nature.   

By the way, if you ever find yourself obligated to frequent the Javits Center, break free for a few minutes and check out what’s new at Hosfelt. There is almost always something worth seeing there… 

Down the block at Exit Art is a far more somber and highly alarming show called Contemporary Slavery. Did you know, according to the UN, “It is estimated that more than 27 million people are enslaved worldwide?” That is simply mind-blowing to think about! In an effort to raise awareness, Contemporary Slavery, organized by the Social Environmental Aesthetics program, presents a collection of images from photojournalists documenting the horrific reality of the various forms of slavery worldwide. It is down right baffling. 

By Jodi Cobb

Hopefully, this exhibition is a step towards prevention. Kudos to the photographers for helping document this gross tragedy. Their images are haunting and provocative, and they are not easy to take. At least you'll have that hefty walk back from 10th Ave to digest and recover...

 

Ingredients:

Venues: Hosfelt Gallery, Exit Art

Artists: Christopher Adams; Jeremy Stenger

Streets: 36^th St & 10^th Ave

Eats: Sachis Arepas To Go

Map: