Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 5/19-5/25
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!
There’s a new Martin Puryear sculpture to enjoy during your lunch hour outside at Madison Square Park, debuting this week through January. Also this week, check out the Surrealist paintings of Eric Helvie at the High Line Loft, Ian Strange’s takeover of suburban Ohio homes on the Bowery, or the late Kirk Magnus’ epic sculpture at James Cohan. Head to the Bronx on Saturday for the graffiti-meets-Scandinavian sensibility of Rubin415, or join the art crowd in Soho for a photoshoot that will become a massive mural by stencil artist Logan Hicks. Cap it all off by treating yourself to the Spring Fling at the beautiful Bowery Hotel, which will benefit the Lower East Side Girls Club.
Martin Puryear- Big Bling ↑
Madison Square Park, 2 Madison Avenue
Through January 8, 2017
The latest public art installation by Mad. Sq. Art. debuts this week, with Martin Puryear’s roller-coaster-esque Big Bling that you’ll be eating your lunch next to all summer.
Reception for Jared Flaming / Eric Helvie: One Or The Other ↑
High Line Loft, 508 West 26th Street, 5th Floor
Thursday, May 19, 6:00-8:00pm
Curated by Natalie Kates and Anne Huntington, this beautiful two-person exhibition compares and contrasts the colorful, juicy painted collage works of Jared Flaming with the black and white, Surrealist-inspired paintings of Eric Helvie.
Hartney TV ↑
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 307 W. 26th Street
Friday, May 20, 6:00pm
If you can’t afford a ticket to School of Rock on Broadway, you can still check out the comedic genius of performer Michael Hartney tonight for just $5.
Ian Strange : SUBURBAN ↑
136 Bowery
Friday, May 20th, 6:00-9:00pm
A massive three-channel immersive film installation, and nine large scale photographs, show the Australian artist Ian Strange’s examination of the American suburban dream. With this project, the artist painted, cut and took over abandoned homes in middle America.
Kirk Mangus-A pot, a joke, a rhythm, a theory ↑
James Cohan Gallery, 291 Grand Street
Friday, May 20, 6:00-8:00pm
Following a major career retrospective at MOCA Cleveland, James Cohan presents the late Kirk Mangus’s first exhibition in New York showcasing a selection of ceramics and drawings that represent 30 years of the artist’s prolific output. Plus, these creepy ceramic heads are pretty cool.
Rubin415 New York / Scandinavia ↑
Wall Works New York, 39 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx
Saturday, May 21, 5:00-8:00pm
Brooklyn-based Scandinavian artist Rubin415 has long entranced me with his fusion of graffiti and sensible Scandinavian design. Tonight, he opens a solo show of new works and a site specific installation in the iconic Bronx gallery.
Be a part of a Logan Hicks mural ↑
Corner of Greene Street and Prince Street, Soho
Sunday, May 22, 11:00am-2:00pm
Become part of an iconic, giant art piece. Join the crowd on Sunday for an epic photo shoot that will become a 100 x 20 foot stencil mural in New York City this summer by the incredible Logan Hicks. Email [email protected] to claim your spot.
Spring Fling benefitting the Lower East Side Girls Club ↑
The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery
Wednesday, May 25, 7:00pm
Spend the night partying for a cause. Tonight’s prom-style shindig honors Patricia Field, while raising funds for the incredible Lower East Side Girls Club that has been transforming lives since the late 90s. I’m also on the committee, so see you there or at the dance party which starts at 9pm.
+++
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.
