Broome St - Despaña, China-ism II: Democracy or Economy, Vertical Neck

The bocadillos (sandwiches) at Despaña, with their imported ingredients and artisanal bread, are pretty much little works of art, so start there. If you can’t decide between the scrumptious-sounding options, they offer flautas and pintxos (aka mini-‘wiches), which are perfect for tasting a few.

After you’ve savored your last tasty morsel at Despaña, head over to White Box for a heavy dose of China-ism. This show, China-ism II: Democracy or Economy, features work by Anton S. Kandinsky (a non-Asian artist) and Ai Weiwei (a Chinese artist who was recently detained by the government.) “China-ism” is Kandinsky’s term for “artistic interpretation of contemporary China,” and this confrontational show begs the question, “If China is already changing the world, will the world change China?" Shake your Magic 8 Ball, and let me know what it says! 

Down the block at Simon Preston, Michelle Lopez’s Vertical Neck is like a study of what happens to minimalism over time. With Blue Angel, her aluminum monoliths look more like flimsy, sagging sheets of Mylar. So, is the conclusion of this experiment that minimalism behaves like all natural bodies over time? Gravity kicks in and things go south? I hope not!

Ingredients:

Venues: Simon Preston; White Box

Artists: Michelle Lopez; Anton S. Kandinsky; Ai Weiwei

Streets: Broome St, Eldridge –Lafayette Sts

Eats: Despaña

Map:

UES - Ai Weiwei's NY Photographs at Asia Society

It usually takes 15-20 minutes to see a gallery show, but museum shows are a different beast. The Ai Weiwei show at Asia Society is enough to fill your whole lunch hour, and it is well worth it!

Outside Tompkins Square Park. 1986

Ai has been all over the news for the past few months. In April, the Chinese government mysteriously detained him. Then, in May, amid protestors and demonstrators, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled Ai’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads installation at 59^th St and 5^th Ave. Just last week he was finally released, but he is prohibited from sharing any information about his arrest. So, it is against this backdrop that Asia Society presents, Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs 1983–1993. 

Battery Park. 1988

During the ten years he lived in New York City, Ai took tens of thousands of pictures. Here, he has chosen 227 that encapsulate his unique New York experience. Each and every one is a gripping, poignant, whole story. They document protests in Washington Square, Wigstock, various apartments in the East Village and Lower East Side, riots in Tompkins Square Park, poetry readings, shoes, friends who were and/or became prominent artists and intellectuals… There are many self-portraits, too.

Mirror. 1987.

This is a simple presentation of one man’s photographs, and it is also so much more. It is a glimpse into a crucial time in New York’s history. It’s a lesson in political consciousness. It is a collection of striking artwork.

Lorimer Avenue Apartment, Brooklyn. 1987

After this, if you have the time, have lunch at the Garden Court Café. If you’re in a hurry, seek nourishment at Corrado Bread & Pastry. There are tons of good sandwiches, quiches and salads, but I like to get a few of their freshly baked rolls and a side of brie. So good!

Ingredients:

Venue: Asia Society

Artist: Ai Weiwei

Streets: Park Ave & 70th St

Eats: Garden Court Café; Corrado Bread & Pastry

Map: