Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 7/2-7/8

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 which start tonight!

Of course, July 4th is on everyone’s mind this weekend. If you’re not into battling the crowds along the East River to see the fireworks (of if you’re not lucky enough to have east-side roof access!), we’ve rounded up some patriotic alternatives for festive Independence Day fun, including the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, a ride aboard a replica 1780 sailboat, and music and fireworks at the Seaport. If you’re going to be out on the Island, be sure to check out the ArtHamptons fair. And before we celebrate our own independence, let’s not forget about our neighbors to the north; an exhibit at Westbeth marks Canada Day with pieces from Canadian artists. Next, shift gears to Copenhagen, as this month’s #MidnightMoment in Times Square will transport New Yorkers to the Danish city. There’s also the “Summer Show” with Jorge Pardo, Jon Pylypchuk, and Dirk Skreber at the Petzel Gallery, free public hours at the Judd Foundation and a giant installation art exhibit at the Knockdown Center.

‘Oh Canada/New York’ – A Cultural Art Exchange ↑
Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune Street
July 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm
Just before we celebrate our independence, check out our neighbors to the north with this exhibition of the work of 11 Canadians and 1 American reflecting on land, myth, and the natural environment, held at the gallery of the city’s oldest artists’ housing.

‘Summer Show’ with Jorge Pardo, Jon Pylypchuk, Dirk Skreber ↑
Petzel Gallery, 456 W 18th Street
July 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm
One of my favorite galleries, Petzel’s summer show isn’t another run-of-the-mill “throw a bunch of artists into a group show” kind of show. Instead, the well-thought-out three-person show will take advantage of the freedom of summer, with three large scale installations by three very different artists, all of whose work captures a feeling of controlled chaos and dynamic movement in their stoic pieces.

ArtHamptons ↑
Private estate grounds Lumber Lane Reserve (at Scuttlehole Road and Lumber Lane), Bridgehampton, NY
July 2nd-5th
The original art fair of the Hamptons is back with a new date (and a new location), so you can combine your art-loving with your beach-loving July 4th celebrations. Artrageous Fourth will couple art with Texas BBQ and American crafted cocktails all day to get you in the mood to buy art.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest ↑
Coney Island Boardwalk (enter at Surf Avenue and West 19th Street)
July 4th, 10:00am-1:00pm
Eating 61 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes is definitely an art form in its own right. See if eight-time champion Joey Chestnut can defend his title this year against challenger Matt Stonie, who’s beaten Chestnut this year at two gyro-eating contests, a burger-eating contest, and a taco contest. And once all the hoopla is over, grab your own dog and head onto the Coney Island beach.

Hermione July 4th Parade of Ships Aboard the Shearwater ↑
North Cove Yacht Harbor, at Brookfield Place
July 4th, 9:30am-2:00pm
The Hermione was a three-masted frigate that brought Marquis de Lafayette to America from France in 1780. Lafayette became the youngest general in George Washington’s army and brought “French power, prestige and resources to the spunky American’s Revolution of Independence.” This replica ship was built by hand using plans of the original ship, and on July 4th it will join the Lafayette Parade of Ships on a journey from the Verrazano past the Statue of Liberty. Guests can enjoy sandwiches and cocktails during the ride.

South Street Seaport Fourth of July Festival ↑
South Street Seaport
July 4th, 1:00-10:00pm
Head on down to the historic South Street Seaport for the Festival of Independence, which will offer live music, food, drinks, and a perfect spot to catch those fireworks. There will be two stages, featuring a puppet show for the kids, bluegrass, rock and roll, and much more. When you get hungry from all that dancing, walk right on over to Smorgasburg’s Seaport outpost.

‘Anxious Spaces: Installation as Catalyst’  ↑
Knockdown Center, 52-19 Flushing Ave, Maspeth
July 5th, 5:00-10:00pm
This giant exhibition of site specific and installation art will sprawl across the massive industrial halls of the knockdown center. The opening itself sounds insane- “featuring a special set by Aurora Halal in ‘The Ruin,’ Lucas Abela playing glass with his face, and Prince Rama activating their zen waterpark in the outdoor patio. The evening will culminate in a 24-person improvisation with Abela’s IV drip drum machines.” WHAT?! Must. See.

Eric Dyer’s ‘Copenhagen Cycles Journey,’ #MidnightMoment ↑
Times Square
All of July, 11:57pm-12:00am
This month’s #MidnightMoment transports viewers to the Danish capital of Copenhagen, one of the most biked cities in the world! The short film, which takes over the screens in Times Square every night, unfurls like a pop-up book, with dizzying scenes of Copenhagen, filmed from the seat of Dyer’s bicycle. I love that art wins over advertising every month–even if it’s for only three minutes a day.

‘Dan Flavin, 2 Works‘ ↑
The Judd Foundation, 101 Spring Street
Through September 19th
The former studio of artist Donald Judd opened to the public in 2013, offering appointment-only tours for $25. Penny pinchers can rejoice, the foundation has just announced free public hours for the ground floor and second floor on Friday and Saturday afternoons! This includes the recently-installed exhibition of illuminated neon works by Dan Flavin.

+++

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.