Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 8/13-8/19

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 end of week picks for 6sqft readers!

This week, time travel to relive two iconic, yet very different, New York moments. Head to Times Square to recreate the 1945 sailor kiss that became famous on the cover of LIFE Magazine, or scoot up to the Bronx for the restaging of City Maze, the seminal exhibition from 1980 during the dawn of street art. Revive Marcel Duchamp at the Queens Museum, experience the exciting new present of an art-infused South Street Seaport, or get a glimpse of the future by spotting a dude walking around in an air conditioned suit (we swear it’s art). You can live in the now and see what Brooklyn’s Cotton Candy Machine is up to, or see if athletes can really cut it in contemporary art.


The Return of City Maze ↑
Wall Works New York, 37 Bruckner Blvd
Friday, August 14 to September 12
The seminal gallery Fashion Moda changed the perception of the Bronx and urban art in the 1980s. 35 years later, Jane Dickson has recreated her “City Maze” exhibition, within the walls of Wall Works, a Bronx gallery owned by graffiti legend CRASH. The gallery has been reimagined (thanks to cardboard) into an art-covered maze, with works by CRASH, Daze, Tats Cru, Judith Supine and many others.

Times Square Kiss-in ↑
43 – 44 Broadway Plaza
Friday, August 14, 11:00am
Register to remake the iconic smooch between a U.S. soldier and his nurse gal that became the symbol of the end of World War II. This Times Square event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the kiss by letting folks reenact the moment with their loves. And don’t forget a pal to snap a picture!

Satisfixation Mobile Personal Series ↑
Some where in the 10013 zip code
Friday, August 14, 12:00pm
Under the guise of a corporate company, Satisfixation LLC is visiting different zip codes throughout August to freak out passersby with a spontaneous art performance with one of their specially-made interactive sculptures. Today’s features the Mobile Personal Climatification Unit 200, or MPCU, which is a retro-futuristic air conditioned suit. Keep your eyes peeled for the performer in the space suit wheeling around his own personal air conditioner.

Dima Drjuchin, “Vision Quest” ↑
Cotton Candy Machine, 235 S 1st St, Brooklyn
Friday, August 14, 7:00-11:00pm
The adorable Cotton Candy Machine shop is always a good stopover on the weekend, especially when their gallery in the back has an opening. Tonight, Dima Drjuchin shares his drawings and, for the first-time, sculpture, for his fifth solo show. Afterwards, head to the Tiger Lounge for a special after party featuring songs from “Vision Quest.”

Athletes For Art Renaissance Tour Presents “Perception” ↑
Joseph Gross Gallery, 548 W 28th Street, #232
Saturday, August 15, 7:00pm
Athletes as artists? The artists in this exhibition at Joseph Gross Gallery will try their hand at EGOTing, while attempting to inspire their fans to get into visual art. Show runs until September 5, make sure to RSVP to attend the opening.

“Plaid Duchamp Record in Magenta,” “ROW / SEW: 3 Sundays for Robert Seydel” ↑
Queens Museum of Art, Flushing Meadow
Sunday, August 16, 3:00-5:00pm
Artists, creatives, writers and visitors are welcomed to pay homage to Marcel Duchamp and Robert Seydel with photographs, poetry and 8mm films screened for the occasion. This month examines Seydel’s alter ego, Ruth Greisman, who called Duchamp a friend (as well as his own alter ego, Rrose Selavy). Expect a Surrealist day of performers, film and sound.

“FAILE: Wishing on You” ↑
Times Square, Broadway plaza between 42nd and 43rd Streets
Starting Monday, August 17 and running through September 1
It seems Times Square has become the new venue for checking out contemporary art. Opening today is a new interactive installation by Brooklyn darlings, FAILE. Visitors are invited to play with the artist duo’s reimagined prayer wheel that coincides with their epic exhibition, “FAILE: Savage/Sacred Young Minds,” which is open at the Brooklyn Museum.

Art Start Portrait Project ↑
Cannon’s Walk / Seaport Culture District, 206 Front Street
Starting Wednesday, August 19 and running through December 30
South Street Seaport has begun transforming itself away from a tourist trap and into new design destination for locals to enjoy, starting with Seaport Studios. Their first major outdoor art installation starts today, which will transform Cannon’s Walk into a light-and-sound installation. Check it out then get a bite at Smorgasburg.

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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.