Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 1/14-1/20

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers!

This week, we’ve chosen a well-rounded experience that will get you out of the house and into varying genres within the art world. Start the weekend early by experiencing Julia Sinelnikova’s hand-cut light sculptures, which can often be found at the Bushwick art raves you’re too afraid to go to. Castor Gallery explores the diversity of contemporary artists working in the Middle East, and Fort Gansevoort brings its savory BBQ with a side of art, this time by Isabelle Fein. Celebrate the book release of “The Art of Ballpoint” while experiencing original works by artists featured in the book, or head to the Bronx to Wall Works Gallery, which specializes in new and old school graffiti. Bushwick’s boutique hotel, BKLYN House, welcomes you to check out their 11 commissioned Brooklyn murals, and CHERYL begs you to get crazy with them at their all encompassing art dance party. And finally, hear some of the city’s top starchitects discuss the ever-changing skyline.

Wallplay Presents: Julia Sinelnikova “Black Fairy Egg Nest” ↑
Wallplay, 118 Orchard Street
January 14, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Julia Sinelnikova’s ethereal hand-cut resin light sculptures are fusions of two very different narratives–the super-fast technological world and the vast expanse of the universe. Her latest sculpture can be gazed into tonight, accompanied by a DJ set by CULTTASTIC and a video of the artist’s “Conjuring Rebirth” performance.

Spectrum ↑
Castor Gallery, 254 Broome Street
January 14, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Castor Gallery’s curatorial assistant, Zen Alnuweiri, has curated a strong show of established Middle Eastern artists that shows the diversity of those working in the region. New works by Saad Ali, Sabah Arbilli, Waseem Marzouki, and Edward Shahda change the conversation of the Middle East from war and destruction to creativity and art.

“The Art of Ballpoint” Book Release/ “Ballpoint: A Group Show” ↑
Sugarlift Bushwick, 200 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn
January 15, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
“The Art of Ballpoint” is a new book out by my friend Matt Rota, also with the same publishing company as my book. Tonight, check out the work of ten of the featured artists and grab a signed copy.

“Thick As Paper Thin” Group Exhibition ↑
Brilliant Champions Gallery, 5 Central Avenue, Brooklyn
January 15, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Newcomers to the Brooklyn Gallery scene, the couple behind Brilliant Champions is bringing their extensive art world experience to this quirky mixed-use space. This week’s exhibition features the paper work of Morgan Blair, Ryan Travis Christian, Claire Colette, Randy Colosky, Langdon Graves and Casey Gray.

BR163 – “Chow Down With Mr. Wonderful” solo exhibition ↑
Wall Works New York, 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx
January 16, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Remember when the Bronx seemed far? Wall Works Gallery is kicking off 2016 with the quirky work of BR163 in a solo exhibition of his Mr. Wonderful character.

BKLYN House Mural Project reception ↑
BKLYN House, 9 Beaver Street, Bushwick
January 16, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
A boutique hotel was inevitable in Bushwick, and the spiffy BKLYN House has commissioned 11 local artists to create murals in the hotel that represent the various neighborhoods of the coolest borough. Stop in tonight to check them out and toast the artists.

CHERYL: Superstar Funhouse ↑
C’mon Everybody, 325 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn
January 16, 11:00 p.m.
My favorite art collective, CHERYL (will ruin your life) are back stateside to welcome us uncreative folk into their art-fantasy world. (While dancing and partying). Saturday’s all encompassing art-party experience, SUPERSTAR FUNHOUSE, is a dance party where money, success, fame and glamour all await you. Enjoy a meteoric rise to stardom, greet your public, and then burn out in a blaze of desperate glory all under the watchful eye of the greedy, bloodthirsty press. Dress up, get weird and head to C’mon Everybody on Franklin.

Isabelle Fein – “Illusions and Ideas” ↑
Fort Gansevoort, 5 Ninth Avenue
January 20, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Meatpacking’s Fort Gansevoort is a combination of three epic vices–barbecue, retail and art–in a beautiful Greek Revival shell. The space celebrates its next opening with beautifully delicate works on paper by Isabelle Fein.

The Future of New York’s Skyline ↑
The 92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd St
January 20, 7:30 p.m.
An interesting night of discussion with architectural leaders Richard Meier, Bjarke Ingels, Annabelle Selldorf, and Rick Cook. Learn about the ever-evolving New York Skyline and the projects that have become the city’s new icons.

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Lori Zimmer is a writer, curator and founder of Art Nerd New York, an off-beat art history guide to the city. Lori also recently released her first book through Rockport Publishers, The Art of Cardboard: Big Ideas for Creativity, Collaboration, Storytelling, and Reuse. Follow her on Twitter @LoriZimmer.