Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 7/21-7/27

July 21, 2016

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!

The wall made famous by Keith Haring, now known as the Bowery Wall, gets a fresh coat of paint this week- head down to check out the process of photorealist stencil artist Logan Hicks. The Gallery@Spring opens its doors for a rare look at New York Fashion from the Time LIFE archives, and the irrepressible No Wave performance artists host a night of seedy New York storytelling at the Django. The High Line finally lets visitors stay late to experience a night of illuminated art works, and do-gooders Beauty For Freedom are hosting an art party to benefit young women in India. Be sure to catch a pop up exhibition and book release by Iranian brothers and stencil artists Icy & Sot, and take in a powerful show by female artists at the Untitled Space.

Annual Alumni Exhibition ↑
New York Studio School, 8 West 8th Street, New York
Thursday, July 21, 5:00pm
Curated by Lesley Heller of Lesley Heller Workspace, Andrew Arnot of Tibor de Nagy Gallery, Miles Manning of Elizabeth Harris Gallery and Larry Greenberg of Studio 10, this exhibition celebrates the talented alumni of NYSS, one of whom will be chosen Matter/ Ambassador Middendorf Purchase Award will be chosen by a panel of judges comprised of Phong Bui (The Brooklyn Rail), Hrag Vartanian (Hyperallergic), Paul Laster (Time Out New York) and Paddy Johnson (Art F City).

Beauty for Freedom Block Party ↑
WeWork SoHo West (entrance on 69 Charlton Street)
Thursday, July 21, 7:00-11:00pm
Beauty for Freedom has long battled sex trafficking by bringing together activism and art. Tonight’s party will benefit a workshop series created for the survivors of sex trafficking and at-risk youth of New Light Kolkata. Tickets include art, music, open bar, snacks and do-gooding.

Up Late on the High Line ↑
The High Line, from Gansevoort to West 18th Streets
Thursday, July 21, 10:00pm to Midnight
A special treat to roam the elevated park after dark, tonight dancers, musicians, and visual artists illuminate the park with participatory performances, installations, and a world of hidden surprises, including work by Jordan Eagles, Merche Blasco and Rob Roth.

New York Fashions from the LIFE Archives ↑
Gallery@Spring, 6 St. Johns Lane
Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24, 10:00am-6:00pm
This weekend and next, Gallery@Spring opens its doors to the public for a first-hand look at original photographs from the iconic collection of Time Inc.’s LIFE Archives- featuring photos of New York fashion from the days of glamour to the days of glitz- the 1940s to the 1970s.

ICY and SOT Pop up exhibition and an exclusive New York book signing of Let Her Be Free ↑
51 Orchard Street
Saturday, July 23, 5:00-11:00pm
Iranian brothers and stencil duo Icy & Sot celebrate 10 years of work in a pop-up exhibition and book release outlining images of their art-making world travels.

Logan Hicks- The Story of my Life in progress ↑
Bowery Wall, corner of Houston and Bowery
July 26
Owners Goldman Properties have chosen photo-realist stencil artist Logan Hicks to paint the legendary Bowery wall (made famous by Keith Haring in the ’80s). See Hicks’ complicated process for yourself for a week starting July 26. The mural will remain for several months.

LIFEFORCE Group Show ↑
The Untitled Space, 45 Lispenard Street, Unit 1W
Tuesday, July 26, 6:00-9:00pm
Curated by Kelsey and Rémy Bennett, LIFE-FORCE brings together 24 fantastic female artists whose work explores the feminine in the context of a genderless future, inspired by Donna Haraway’s revolutionary essay “A Cyborg Manifesto.”

Lydia Lunch’s Underground Salon ↑
The Django at the Roxy Hotel, 2 Avenue of the Americas
Tuesday, July 26, 8:00-11:00pm
No Wave story teller is back in New York to host a series of sexy events featuring stories from New York’s seedy past, as well as special guests from the downtown New York art scene of the 1980s. Be sure to make a reservation; the first installment was standing room only!

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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.