‘Tis the season for overbooked schedules and 4-hour-long meals, but don’t forget to go see art! Not only will you keep your creative juices flowing and walk off some of that pumpkin cheesecake, but you’ll gain invaluable fodder for holiday party small talk. CRG Gallery presents eyes for voice, a show of giant layered paintings and extraordinary sculptures by LA-based artist Tom LaDuke. The paintings are a compelling mash-up of movie stills, home photos and colorful bursts of thickly layered oils and acrylics. My favorite piece is a sculpture of a handkerchief made of salt and superglue. The detail is simply incredible and photos cannot do it justice. You must go see it!
In the spirit of family gatherings, check out Claire Fontaine’s Working Together at Metro Pictures. It is a collection of work that turns a critical (and cheeky) eye on the networkers and collaborators of the world. Giant clear plastic bags of empty aluminum cans hang from the ceiling and paintings are installed behind scaffolding bars. One video, The Assistants, is so still and meek it is barely comprehensible and easily dismissed, which is exactly the point. This is undoubtedly a “love it” or “hate it” kind of show, and I’m on the fence. What’s your feeling?
Stop by Bryce Wolkowitz for a very different feeling altogether. For Dryland Farming photographer Edward Burtynsky expertly captures the bold colors and textures of the beautiful farmland in northeastern Spain. Step back and take in the patterns of the whole terrain, then get closer to pick out the electrical wires and olive trees.
For lunch, take a decided detour from traditional holiday fare with a little take-out Chinese. Make your way across 24th and call ahead (212-620-5200) to Grand Sichuan International for the $5.95 lunch special. Ask if they have the sautéed pea shoots. They’re not always on the menu, but they are fantastic!
Ingredients:
Venues: CRG, Metro Pictures, Bryce Wolkowitz
Artists: Tom LaDuke, Claire Fontaine, Edward Burtynsky
Streets: W 24th St between 10th & 11th Aves
Eats: Grand Sichuan International
Map:
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