Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 2/11-2/17
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!
Even if you’re not into Valentine’s Day, it’s no excuse not to celebrate a love-filled weekend of art and design. For the next month, you can take your lover or best friend to play in the glittering “Heart of Hearts” installation in Times Square or experience true beauty at the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial. Check out private arts club the Norwood without becoming a member for the Sweetheart Ball or try the Out to See arts and film celebrations happening down at the South Street Seaport. On the actual day, check out a tech-savvy sculpture show at Lyles & King, and then have the main event at House of Yes for LUST, an immersive and sexy arty dinner soiree. Then, wash off all the saccharin sweetness of Valentine’s Day with a good old nerdy film fest about infrastructures at the Van Alen Institute.
“Heart of Hearts” ↑
Times Square
Every day until March 16
The Times Square Arts’ Valentine Installation is here and ready for you lovers to play. This year’s winner of the Center for Architecture-curated project is Collective-LOK’s “Heart of Hearts,” a glittering sculptural installation of gold mirrored hearts that reflect your love for your friends and significant others, as well as New York City. Stop by and try it 24 hours a day.
Beauty – Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial ↑
Copper Hewitt Design Museum, 2 East 91st Street
Friday, February 12 through Sunday, August 21
Since its last triennial, the Cooper-Hewitt has undergone an extreme makeover, transforming into a cutting edge museum that is still seated in Andrew Carnegie’s former mansion. This year’s theme of Beauty promises a multi-sensory experience of eye candy, featuring over 250 design objects.
Night Diviner – A Video and Sound Installation by Dirty Churches ↑
Seaport District, 192 Front Street
Friday, February 12, 8:00 p.m. – Midnight
The Seaport District’s Out to See arts, music and film festival kicks off with a party of music and art installations of Jesse Gelaznik- a.k.a. Dirty Churches.
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra’s Sweetheart Soiree ↑
The Norwood, 241 West 14th Street
Saturday, February 13, 9:00 p.m.
Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to check out the private arts club Norwood, especially if you haven’t been invited by a member already. For tonight only, the club opens its doors in the name of love–and in the name of old timey band Michael Arenella and his orchestra. Be sure to check out the private collection and curated works on the club walls.
Emoji – a solo exhibition by Shinji Murakami ↑
Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, 250 Broome Street
Through February 21
Nothing says love in this day and age like hearts, flowers, and rainbows–emojis, that is. Take a swirl through Murakami’s emoji wonderland at Catinca Tabacaru, complete with digital-inspired emoji paintings and sculptures, and even a giant horse!
Low ↑
Lyles and King, 106 Forsyth Street
Sunday, February 14, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Get your day date on at this early opening, featuring sculptural artists who stray from the traditional, using 3D printing, CNC milling, and digital reproduction to make their work, transferring 2D ideas into the 3D using technology.
LUST: Immersive Dinner Party + Art Installations ↑
House of YES, 2 Wyckoff Avenue
Sunday, February 14, 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
The ultimate in Valentine decadence, Abby Hertz (you’ve probably seen her dancing or performing with fire somewhere) has conceived of LUST, a night of feasting and experience. Expect a full catered dinner, served by man servants on naked bodies, live Cuban jazz, and a bevy of art installations to play in. The immersive night is not for the faint of heart.
Van Alen Screening Sessions One: Tunnel Vision ↑
Van Alen Institute, 30 West 22nd Street
Wednesday, February 17, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Okay, the lovey dovey stuff is now over, and you can get back to embracing your inner nerd. Architecture buffs, the Van Alen Institute is screening three docs tonight about infrastructure in different cities. Stop by, have a drink, and meet some of the members.
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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.
