Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 4/16-4/22

This week, I suggest rediscovering Times Square, by participating in an incredible installation by Justin Bettman, and experiencing a screen-takeover with a short film by Peggy Ahwesh. Then observe and educate with a visit the Jewish Museum, or hit up Lincoln Center for a special art film program, an art exhibition that deconstructs notions of beauty, or an epic art fair catered toward photography. But if you’re looking to shake it up and strike up a conversation with someone new, visit Salon Demimonde, a resurrection of the 17th century salons of the past where creatives and intellectuals can mix and mingle. You can also get your dance on at Aperture’s Spring Party!

Justin Bettman #SetInTheStreets
Times Square, Duffy Square
Through April 19
Do not miss Justin Bettman‘s #SetInTheStreets, which takes over Times Square through the weekend. The artist has juxtaposed a domestic living room right in the middle of the bright lights of the city’s most touristy area, creating a totally surreal scene that visitors can interact with. Selfie and Instagram moments will abound, folks.

The AIPAD Photography Show New York
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue
April 16-19
AIPAD is the photography event of the year, bringing together over 80 international photography galleries at the gorgeous Park Avenue Armory. The art fair features modern photography but also historical gems like daguerreotypes and original silver gelatin masterpieces.

Art of the Reel Film Series
Lincoln Center, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza
Through April 26
There are so many amazing films in this annual documentary-as-art film festival put on by the Film Society at Lincoln Center, including a film on painter Edvard Munch by Peter Watkins and a tribute to Agnès Varda, who is known for her documentaries of the Black Panthers in the late ’60s.

Peggy Awhwesh, City Thermogram
Times Square screens
Through April 30, 11:57pm-Midnight.
Every night, Peggy Awhwesh’s film of everyday life shot with a heat sensitive camera take over the advertising screens on Times Square. Celebrate art winning over advertising, even if just for three minutes, then pop into the Algonquin Hotel to celebrate a bit of New York history.

Salon Demimonde
The Velvet Lounge, 174 Broadway, Williamsburg
April 16, 6:30-8:30pm
The once-a-month event revives the 17th century salon talks, when people used to actually talk to each other instead of hiding behind their computers. This week the conversation is lead by writer John Keegan. Expect an evening of exchanging ideas on the arts, culture, philosophy and esoterica, coupled with tasty cocktails.

de·con·struct Art Exhibition
NOoSPHERE, 251 E. Houston Street
April 17, 6:00-9:00pm
This group exhibition curated by the graduate students in the Art Market program at F.I.T. and features works that examine contemporary social standards and artistic norms. The catalog also features an essay on the theme written by yours truly.

Moving Mountains, Aperture’s Spring Party
Aperture Foundation, 547 West 27th Street, 4th floor
April 17, 8pm-midnight
The respected photography foundation, gallery and magazine is hosting their annual party which includes drinking, dancing and mingling with artists, curators and arts professionals. The ticket is also tax-deductible, and the party is always a lot of fun.

Art Focus: Keren Cytter
The Jewish Museum, Scheuer Auditorium, 1109 5th Ave at 92nd St
April 20, 6:30-8pm
The New York Jewish Film Festival presents a collection of films by Israeli artist Keren Cytter, followed by a conversation between the artist and the museum’s world renowned curator, Jens Hoffmann. It is totally free with RSVP!

Lori Zimmer is a writer, curator and founder of Art Nerd New York, an off-beat art history guide to the city. Follow her on Twitter @LoriZimmer.