The Future Was When? is an awesome video by Patricia Esquivias currently screening at Alex Zachary Gallery as part of Case Histories. In it, in her casual, stream-of-consciousness style, Esquivias explains her fascination with mosaic tiling while recounting the story of Susan Brown, an artist who repairs broken mosaics in the NYC subway stations. It is about 20 minutes long, and it’s just one of many great pieces on view in Case Histories. I hope you have some time to stay and watch!
At Leo Castelli Gallery, the experience of getting buzzed into the gorgeous old Brownstone that is 18 E 77th and riding the tiny elevator is reason enough to visit. It’s so old New York! Their current group show, Middle Age, offers the likes of Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein and Ed Ruscha. These art stars may not be “young and fresh,” but they are certainly not past their prime. The show is a celebration of how seasoned masters have informed art and design throughout history. Ludwig Schwarz’s sculpture of pawned diamond rings drives the message home: life gets complicated, scrap the knickknacks and keep making beautiful art!
On a more conventional note, Michael Werner Gallery down the block invites you to Flowers for Summer, a look at the “historical motif of the flower.” It’s summer. It’s hot outside. I’m happy to look at some pretty blooms, whatever the motives may be.
Now, choose your own adventure: A) walk a few blocks north to the Met Museum’s south steps and treat yourself to Sigmund Pretzelshop’s hot dog on a pretzel bun with homemade kraut. B) walk east toward Madison and satisfy your sweet tooth with L’Arte del Gelato, which has a cart outside the Carlyle Hotel. C) indulge yourself to the summer restaurant week lunch menu at the Carlyle Restaurant (fancy pants!).
Bonus: Stop in the Gagosian Shop and follow the instructional footprints down to the basement for Damien Hirst’s butterflies, pills and polka dots. On your way out, pick up an art book or a deck chair.
Ingredients:
Venues: Alex Zachary; Leo Castelli; Michael Werner; Gagosian Shop
Artists: Barbara Bloom, Patricia Esquivias, Harun Farocki, John Miller, Rosalind Nashashibi, Alexander Kluge, Steve Reinke and James Richards; John Baldessari, Jasper Johns, Diana Kingsley, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Pettibone, Ed Ruscha, Ludwig Schwarz, Oona Stern, Lawrence Weiner, Erwin Wurm; Hurvin Anderson, Georg Baselitz, James Lee Byars, Lovis Corinth, Aaron Curry, Enrico David, Peter Doig, Thomas Houseago, Jörg Immendorff, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Per Kirkeby, Jean Fautrier, Lucio Fontana, Fernand Léger, Eugène Leroy, Markus Lüpertz, A.R. Penck, Francis Picabia, Pablo Picasso, Sigmar Polke, Kurt Schwitters, Félix Vallotton, Don Van Vliet; Damien Hirst
Streets: E 77th Street, 5th & Madison Aves
Eats: Sigmund Pretzel Cart; L’Arte del Gelatol Carlyle Restaurant
Map:
I've been wanting to see the Flowers for Summer show at Michael Werner! I love when galleries put on group shows with an obvious theme, it helps make the art more accessible! Also, the Picasso book at Gagosian is wonderfully designed, if I do say so myself! There is even a small flip book inside!
ReplyDeleteIt's up through Sept 10th. Definitely, check it out! There's even a little canvas by Picasso called "Vase de fleurs," though it doesn't hold a candle to the Marie-Thérèsa works. That show was so good! (and, you're right, the book is great, too!)
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