Category Archives: NYC

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Marc Fornes & THEVERYMANY

Marc Fornes & THEVERYMANY, non-lin/lin pavilion, carbon fiber shell, digitally sculptedMarc Fornes & THEVERYMANY, non-lin/lin pavilion, carbon fiber shell, digitally sculptedMarc Fornes & THEVERYMANY, non-lin/lin pavilion, carbon fiber shell, digitally sculptedClick to enlarge

It’s hard to be in the vicinity of Parsons School of Design this summer and not be lured toward its exhibit window. The expression on the person’s face in the second photo is probably similar to the one I had when I crossed the street a couple of weeks ago, catching a glimpse of these striking floating structures from the corner of my eye. Turns out, these digitally sculpted dancers, titled Les Danseurs du Tailor, are the work of one of this year’s Architectural League Prize winners, Brooklyn-based Marc Fornes & THEVERYMANY. Fornes is a leader in the development of computation applied to design and digital fabrication. He realizes geometrically complex and self-supporting structures for both artistic and commercial purposes, from pop-up stores (such as the Louis Vuitton Pop-up Store in London with Yayoi Kusama- 6th photo from top) to gallery installations and park pavilions. I don’t exactly understand the process, but Fornes digitally designs these skins—which are then produced either in carbon fiber, hand-riveted aluminum, or plastic—by analyzing and evaluating the algorithms and rules encoded in computational systems against the explicit forms, resulting in precise but unpredictable operations. Whatever the process, the results are show-stoppingly stunning.

Photos: Francois Lauginie; Guillaume Blanc; Stephane Muratet; and Moss Bureau
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Llyn Foulkes: One-Man Band

Llyn Foulkes, Collage, multimedia portraits, anti-corporate, political art, New Museum exhibitLlyn Foulkes, Collage, multimedia portraits, anti-corporate, political art, New Museum exhibitLlyn Foulkes, Collage, multimedia portraits, anti-corporate, political art, New Museum exhibitClick to enlarge

Not only did we enjoy Hollie Chastain‘s collages on Saturday, but right before that we went to the New Museum and saw Llyn Foulke’s collage-like work. I was not familiar with Foulke’s art and was surprised to find out that the Los Angeles based artist is a contemporary of John Baldessari, Robert Irwin and Ed Ruscha. Though his work is quite varied in style, there’s a consistency in his portraits (our favorites) that makes it hard to differentiate between the ones created in the 1970s and those completed just a couple of years ago. Foulkes’ portraits are fabulous. Some are a little gruesome à la Francis Bacon, but feel more like anti-corporate commentary (it’s funny that Foulkes is LA-based and much of his work gives it to Disney hard) than tortured souls. Many of these works have a wonderful 3D quality, with arms or ties protruding from the frames. Foulkes has always been a bit eclectic ranging in style from Pop to Dadaist as well as being a performance artist with his own one-man band playing “The Machine” which he created himself.

You can see Llyn Foulkes’ work at the New Museum through September 1, 2013.

Photos courtesy of the artist and the New Museum.
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Gus Petro: Merge

Gus Petro, contemporary photography, imagining NYC in Grand Canyon, Empty, Dense combined.Gus Petro, contemporary photography, imagining NYC in Grand Canyon, Empty, Dense combined.Gus Petro, contemporary photography, imagining NYC in Grand Canyon, Empty, Dense combined.Click to enlarge

Swiss photographer Gus Petro was impressed by NYC’s density and popularity as well as by the extreme emptiness and uninhabitable space of the Grand Canyon and Death Valley on his travels to the U.S. He took a series of photographs of New York titled Dense, another series titled Empty of the Grand Canyon, and then, to complete the trilogy, Petro merged the two in his aptly named series Merge. Exploring the polar opposites was interesting enough, but seeing what NYC would look like placed in the Grand Canyon is a surreal experience.

via mug

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Philip Haas: Four Seasons

Philip Haas, Four Seasons at New York Botanical Gardens, Sculpture. arcimboldoPhilip Haas, Four Seasons at New York Botanical Gardens, Sculpture. arcimboldoPhilip Haas, Four Seasons at New York Botanical Gardens, Sculpture. arcimboldoClick to enlarge

If you’ve ever been intrigued by Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s monstrous portraits of composite heads made entirely of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other objects, then American artist/director Philip Haas’ Four Seasons is for you. Haas has reimagined the 16th century painter’s series Four Seasons as four large-scale sculptures standing over 15 feet high, one representing Spring, another Summer, Autumn, and lastly, Winter. The three-dimensional interpretations are created with intricately detailed fiberglass made to look like flowers, bark, vegetables and leaves.

The Four Seasons sculptures have been traveling from London to Phoenix and now, since May and through October, they are at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

Photos courtesy of the artist and NY Botanical Garden

Thanks Ramon!

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Every Subway Station in Manhattan

Every Subway Station in Manhattan, photo project by james doernberg and girlfriend kai jordan, took selfie at every subway stop in manhattan in one dayEvery Subway Station in Manhattan, photo project by james doernberg and girlfriend kai jordan, took selfie at every subway stop in manhattan in one dayEvery Subway Station in Manhattan, photo project by james doernberg and girlfriend kai jordan, took selfie at every subway stop in manhattan in one dayClick to enlarge

Everything about this one-day project by college students James Doernberg and Kai Jordan is super cute and fun. A few months back Doernberg was thinking of ways to make commuting fun/useful and it occurred to him that taking photos (“selfies”) of himself and girlfriend Jordan at every subway station in Manhattan would be one solution. So, on July 10th, after mapping out their route, the two set about the task. Mostly jumping out at each stop, snapping a photo with the subway station sign, and hopping back on the train before the doors closed, Doernberg and Jordan were able to photograph themselves at all 118 stations on the island in a total of nine hours. Certain subway lines as well as rush hour proved to be a little trickier with crowded platforms, so in those cases they sometimes ended up having to wait for the next train. It’s impressive how they were able to vary the shots quite a bit, considering the time restraints. You can see all 133 photos here, and read an interview with them here.

via gothamist

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40 Days of Dating: Walsh & Goodman

Jessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman, 40 Days of Dating, Typography, Experiment, Fun, Cute, Dating, FriendshipJessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman, 40 Days of Dating, Typography, Experiment, Fun, Cute, Dating, FriendshipJessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman, 40 Days of Dating, Typography, Experiment, Fun, Cute, Dating, FriendshipClick to enlarge

Part graphic-designer-online-reality-show, part experiment, part sociological/psychological art project, part super-clever-promo-piece, or whatever else you’d like to call it, Jessica Walsh (of Sagmeister & Walsh) and Timothy Goodman’s (previously here) 40 Days of Dating has Daniela and me completely hooked. Launched a few days ago (today is Day 5, so there’s not much catching up involved) the two good friends have opposite relationship problems—one an incurable romantic, the other has commitment issues—and are growing tired of the NYC dating life. Both single, they decided to embark on an adventure/experiment wherein they date each other exclusively (complying to a list of rules) for 40 days, answering a daily questionnaire that is revealed on the website, day by day. In addition, they enlisted an impressive slew of designers from their professional and personal circles to contribute daily typographic designs, beautifully illustrating the themes of the day.

It doesn’t hurt that both Walsh and Goodman are incredibly cute, talented, and appealing (plus we’re longtime fans) making the project that much more compelling, but there’s no doubt that under all it’s designy-ness and fun, 40 Days of Dating is a voyeuristic fest, complete with some cringe-inducing moments. Nonetheless, we’ve been totally drawn in, finding ourselves in daily discussions and speculating on what direction things will take. We’ve even piqued Em’s curiosity, so I’m sure she’ll be following soon.

They’ve also made a series of related videos that you can see here, and the behind-the-scenes one is below.

via coolhunting

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James Turrell: Aten Reign in the Guggenheim Rotunda

James Turrell Guggenheim, Aten Reign, Elliptical Skyspace, Guggenheim Rotunda, cool light installationJames Turrell Guggenheim, Aten Reign, Elliptical Skyspace, Guggenheim Rotunda, cool light installationJames Turrell Guggenheim, Aten Reign, Elliptical Skyspace, Guggenheim Rotunda, cool light installationClick to enlarge

The very much anticipated James Turrell exhibit at the Guggenheim opened this evening and we were fortunate enough to attend the exciting event. The impressive skyspace installation that occupies the seemingly reduced-in-size rotunda does not disappoint. Aten Reign, as the massive installation is titled, cycles through a spectrum of colors—with varying hues of each—in approximately an hour. From white light to deep shades of reds and purples and eventually to almost complete darkness, the central atrium of the museum glows in a mystical yet soothing array of colors, changing people’s skin tones and even playing with one’s eyes and perception of color in the exterior halls lit in their natural white light that seem to take on a pink glow when the rotunda glows green, and green when pink. The rest of the museum is virtually empty except for about 5 rooms containing older works by Turrell all in white light. The trickery in these works is amazing, causing one to doubt their depth perception on a consistent basis. That which seems flat, is actually an open space, and that which seems open is actually a flat wall with projected light. Same goes for a cube of light that is so convincingly 3-dimensional, when in fact it is completely 2-dimensional. But, back to Aten Reign the exhibit’s pièce de resistance: the multi-tiered scrim creates elliptical circle within elliptical circle, working its way up from the most intense shade to five shades lighter towards to skylight. The rest of the museum looks oddly cropped and bare sans art, but it makes you appreciate the James Turrell installation-filled rooms, all the more.

James Turrell will be on exhibit at the Guggenheim through September 25, 2013.

Photos: collabcubed
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Rockaway Beach Signage: Pentagram

NYC Beaches - Signage Location: Rockaway Beach Graphics: Pentagram DesignNYC Beaches - Signage Location: Rockaway Beach Graphics: Pentagram DesignNYC Beaches - Signage Location: Rockaway Beach Graphics: Pentagram Design, Rockaway by Garrison ArchitectsClick to enlarge

A couple of weeks ago I went out to Rockaway Beach for the first time since last fall/winter when the post-Sandy ravaged beach looked like it would never quite bounce back with its boardwalk blown to bits, its playgrounds’ asphalt erupting like lava from a volcano, and the large parking lot near 105th St. practically invisible under the mounds of sand that had made its way two blocks in from the shore. But bounce back it has—though not quite 100%—clearly through an amazing amount of effort, work, and expense by countless numbers of people and organizations.

The boardwalk is still MIA but right away I noticed new, crisp signage clearly marking each beach name and street, as well as temporary concrete islands (designed by Sage and Coombe Architects) emblazoned with colorful supergraphics also displaying the corresponding beach numbers. Not surprisingly, I have since found out, perusing the Pentagram website, that the environmental graphics are the handy work of Paula Scher and her team of designers. Scher previously developed the identity and signage standards for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, which manages and maintains the city’s beaches, and the beach graphics are an extension of that program, utilizing the logo but changing the fonts and colors.

In addition, the graphics have been applied to the mod ‘pods’ designed by Garrison Architects that contain the lifeguard and comfort stations . These look a little more futuristic and slick in the renderings than in reality, but in truth, they weren’t completely finished when I was there.

Impressive work all around, from clean-up, to graphics and architecture. By July 4th weekend it should all be in full-swing again, with many concession stands opening then. New Yorkers are a pretty invincible bunch.

Photos and renderings courtesy of Pentagram & Garrison Architects.
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Sonos Playground Deconstructed

Sonos Playground Deconstructed an immersive interactive installation at the Museum of Moving Image, Red Paper HeartSonos Playground Deconstructed an immersive interactive installation at the Museum of Moving Image, Red Paper HeartSonos Playground Deconstructed an immersive interactive installation at the Museum of Moving Image, Red Paper HeartClick to enlarge

Sonos Playground Deconstructed, an immersive and interactive installation by Red Paper Heart (previously here) — currently at the Museum of Moving Image here in NYC in conjunction with Spectacle: The Music Video exhibition — brings minimalist art to life using five detached walls suspended above a reflective floor. Each of the walls has been painted with 27 1-inch wide white lines and 26 2-inch wide black lines. By mapping the white lines set between black lines the studio was able to create a more immersive and surreal environment. Visitors are able to select any song from an iPad and watch a visualization of the music projected onto the surrounding walls. Through motion-capture technology, they can interact with and manipulate the animation through movement.

Take a look at it in motion in the video below:

Sonos Playground Deconstructed (deconstructed because it was originally installed in a 250 sq. ft shed at the Sonos Studio at the 2013 SXSW festival) is on view at the Museum of Moving Image until June 16, 2013.

Photos courtesy of Red Paper Heart and MoMI
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NYC Culture on the Cheap

Culture on the Cheap, NYC, Free and Cheap things to do in NYC, New Site, AnnouncementIf you’re here looking for our regular NYC Culture on the Cheap post, we have exciting news for you. Starting today, Culture on the Cheap will be its own separate site offering links to free and cheap things to do in NYC in art, music, design, film, theater, dance, food, architecture, talks, tours, and general fun. It won’t focus specifically on weekends anymore, though most activities may still be weekend-centric. So go take a look! You can sort by Event Date, Price, Genre, or even a specific date on the calendar.

If you like what you see, please share it with you friends and lovers! Sisters and brothers! Like our page on facebook or follow us on twitter.

It’s just up today, so please bear with us if any glitches should arise.

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Liu Bolin: Hiding in New York

Liu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryLiu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryLiu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryClick to enlarge

In preparation for his 5th solo exhibit at New York’s Eli Klein Gallery titled Mask,  Liu Bolin (previously here and here) had a live performance where visitors could witness the creation of a new photograph in his Hiding in New York series. Emma and Daniela went over to check it out with some friends and took a few photos of the process. The performance started with Bolin wearing a pre-painted suit with matching images of the rifles and peg holes on the wall behind him. With assistants all around him busy at work for the whole two-hour period, Bolin’s suit was touched up and perfectly positioned to blend in with his backdrop before they moved on to his vaseline-covered (or so it appeared) face where they painted each detail for the final disappearance.

The show Mask opens today at the Eli Klein Gallery in Soho and runs through July 21, 2013. We assume the in-progress rifle photo will be included in the show along with many more of his Hiding in the City series and the JR collaboration that took place last year.

Photos of Liu Bolin by Ana Slade. All other photos courtesy of the artist and Eli Klein Fine Art.
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Penn Station: Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Proposal for new Penn Station by Diller Scofidio + Renfro for Municpal Arts Society. One of four architects asked to submit designs
Proposal for new Penn Station by Diller Scofidio + Renfro for Municpal Arts Society. One of four architects asked to submit designs
Proposal for new Penn Station by Diller Scofidio + Renfro for Municpal Arts Society. One of four architects asked to submit designsClick to enlarge

Since visiting the ICA in Boston; the redesign of Lincoln Center in NYC; and all parts of the High Line both past and future, it’s hard for me not to be excited about any project that Diller Scofidio + Renfro are involved with. So, it’s no surprise that when four architecture firms – Diller Scofidio & Renfro, SHoP Architects, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture — were asked by the Municipal Arts Society to reimagine an ideal Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, though appreciating all four proposals, the one that really won me over was theirs.

The design envisions the new Penn Station as a city within a city, a porous and light-filled civic structure filled with things to do. Apart from being downright spectacular in that multi-layered way that incorporates dramatic angles and lots of glass, the design transforms waiting into a fun event with spas, restaurants and other venues, making it more of a destination than simply a gateway to New York. In this plan, MSG will be located to the west end of the Farley building on Ninth Avenue, with access to Eighth Avenue.

Really, all four proposals are quite interesting and beautiful and definitely worth a look here, but Diller Scofidio & Renfro have my vote.

Images courtesy Diller Scofidio + Renfro

via NYTimes

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NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 5/31

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Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/31/13 to 6/2/13)
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/31/13 to 6/2/13). It’s going to be hot hot hot this weekend, but there are plenty of outdoor or indoor (if you prefer) activities in art, music, food, architecture, theater, film, design, comedy and general fun. Check out some of our picks for this weekend in NYC…
1. MUSIC/TALK: Fri 5/31 – Meet the Musicians: The Lonely Island, “The Wack Album” 7:00 p.m. FREE
2. THEATER: Fri 5/31 & Sat 6/1 – The Hotel Colors Six travelers spend one night in a rundown hostel in the outskirts of Rome. Speaking in direct translation from Italian into English the eccentric voyagers form a temporary community and unexpected friendships as they fail–and flail–in their attempts to communicate. 8pm $18.
3. MUSIC: Fri 5/31 – The Dandy Warhols: Featuring 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia In Its Entirety! $30 8pm
4. TOUR/BEACH/FUN: Sat 6/1 – Rockspot Bike Tour: Interactive tour that explores sites of environmental and historical significance along the Rockaway Peninsula. 11am to 2pm. FREE with registration
5. ART/MUSIC/DANCE/THEATER: All weekend – Howl! Festival – Presenting poetry, music, dance, theater, fine art, and intersections of popular culture, new technologies and artistic expression that defy easy categorization. Fri 4:30pm to 7pm. Sat & Sun 11am to 7pm. FREE
6. ART: All weekend: – Bushwick Open Studios – 3 days of arts and culture festival that celebrates the community’s vibrant art scene. 615 shows/studios! FREE
7. ARCHITECTURE/GARDENS: Sat 6/1 – Garden Day at the Cloisters. 10am to 4pm. Pay what you wish, suggested $25.
8. FUN: Sat 6/1 – Nametag Day! Imagine everyone in New York City wearing a nametag. On June 1st, we’ll be giving them out at sites all over the city. FREE
9. THEATER/MUSIC: Sat 6/1 – Times Square the musical at Joe’s Pub by Jill Sobule and Robin Eaton 9:30pm $20
10. ART/MUSIC/FOOD: Sat 6/1 & Sun 6/2 – EAT LABA Arts Festival: an exploration of the power of food in ancient Jewish texts. Art, music, performances, teachings and tastings. Sat 8:30pm Sun 3pm at 14th St Y. $25 to $35.
11. ART/TECH: Sat 6/1 & Sun 6/2 through 7/31 – New York Electronic Art Festival. A summer series of concerts, workshops, and exhibits centered on the cutting-edge work at the intersection of art and technology. FREE
12. DESIGN: All weekend & through 8/16 – Toy Chest: a design exhibit of furniture and objects inspired by toys. A Lincoln Logs chair, a Banana Split Bench… Jellio Design Lab. Noon to 5pm. FREE
13. MUSIC: All weekend – NYC POP Fest: Music festival various bands and venues. $10 to $20
14. COMEDY/MUSIC: All weekend – NYC Funny Songs Fest. Professional entertainers whose acts consist of jokes, songs and/or satirical sketches intended to make an audience laugh, which also incorporate the use of a musical instrument. FREE to $12. See schedule.
15. FOOD/FASHION: Sun 6/2 – DayLife – 3-block special event that covers Orchard Street in astroturf and pushcarts, and includes the best in LES food and fashion vendors. FREE
16. ART/MUSIC: All weekend & through 6/16: 88 Sing for Hope Pianos as public art pieces all over town. Play one or listen to others play. Sat & Sun only you can request a tune via twitter to Stanley the player piano at Chobani in Soho.
17.  FILM: Fri 5/31 & Sat 6/1 – Rooftop Films. “Trapped” (Short Films) on Fri and “The Dirties” on Sat. 8pm. $13.
18. DESIGN/TECH/CLASS: Sun 6/2 – Make Your Own MakerBot 3D object. They’ll have a selection of Dad-themed objects for you to make on a MakerBot® Replicator 2® Desktop 3D Printers, all made with MakerBot PLA Filament. Participation is $10, pre-paid upon registration.

MORE…
ART/PERFORMANCE: Sun 6/2 – Attend a live performance by Liu Bolin and witness the creation of a new photograph in his Hiding in New York series. 4pm to 6pm at Eli Klein Gallery, 462 West Broadway. FREE.

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Lichtenstein/Barneys Collaboration

Roy Lichtenstein, Pop art in the Windows at Barneys NY. Collaboration of Lichtenstein and product design available at Barneys. Fun window displaysRoy Lichtenstein, Pop art in the Windows at Barneys NY. Collaboration of Lichtenstein and product design available at Barneys. Fun window displaysRoy Lichtenstein, Pop art in the Windows at Barneys NY. Collaboration of Lichtenstein and product design available at Barneys. Fun window displaysClick to enlarge

Attention Roy Lichtenstein fans! The Pop Artist’s estate has collaborated with Barneys New York and the Art Production Fund creating a limited edition collection of home goods with some of the artist’s iconic images from the 60s and 70s. From beach balls to trays and tableware, paper cups and bags, it’s sure to please even the Lichtenstein-ignorant. What caught my eye, however, were the store’s windows when passing by a few nights ago. Oversized reproductions of the items hang colorfully behind the glass, as if Lichtenstein’s painting have come to life. Watch the video below if you’d like to see the installation process; an art in itself.

Definitely on the pricey side, but 25% of all the sales of the collection benefit the Art Production Fund which supports public art projects, so there’s that.

Photos courtesy of The Art Production Fund.
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NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 5/24

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.

Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/24/13 to 5/27/13)
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/24/13 to 5/27/13). It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer! Usually a quiet weekend in NYC and perfect for strolling around and enjoying a slower pace.
1. ART: Fri 5/24: Chuck Close Photo Maquettes. FREE
2. ART/TECH/PARTICIPATORY: All weekend – Karen Finley’s Sext Me if You Can – an interactive performance installation, limited edition of paintings inspired by “sexts” that she receives from participating patrons. 3 to 6pm. FREE
3. ART/PHOTOGRAPHY: All weekend & through 9/8 – ICP Triennial: A Different Kind of Order – focuses on artworks created in our current moment of widespread economic, social, and political instability. Includes 28 international artists who employ photography, film, video, and interactive media, many of which have been featured on this very blog (Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Sohei Nishino, Walid Raad, Subotzky/Waterhouse, to name a few). FREE Fridays 5 to 8pm. Other times $14
4. FOOD/DRINK: All weekend – Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club at South Street Seaport right on the water with views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
5. ART: Fri 5/24 & Sat 5/25 – Volumes for Sound by Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson. New works influenced by the geometries of sound. Funneling, folding and porting sound requires physical structures.
6. MUSIC: Fri 5/24 – David Grubbs celebrates the release of his recent collection of songs and forthcoming 75 Dollar Bill. 8pm FREE
7. ART/VIDEO: All weekend – Ende Tymes Novo Apocalyspe. A festival of noise, video, art, and experimental liberation at The Silent Barn. all events – $15/night, $35/weekend.
8. ART/MUSIC/FUN: All weekend – Opening weekend on Governor’s Island with music, performances, LMCC’s Open Studios, biking. Varying activities from 11 to 5pm. FREE.
9. MUSIC/ART: All weekend – Brian Eno: 77 Million Paintings. A constantly evolving sound and image-scape. Brian Eno brings his acclaimed audio-visual installation to the former location of Café Rouge. A generative work – making itself as you watch it – which explores a vast set of permutations of visual and sonic elements made by Eno. $5 suggested donation. 145 W. 32nd St.
10. THEATER/PUPPETS: All weekend – Labapalooza Festival of New Puppet Theater from the Lab. Times vary. $20 to $25
11. ARCHITECTURE/TOUR: Sat 5/25 – West Side Story: The Evolution of Lincoln Center from its origins as a Robert Moses urban renewal project up to its reimagining by Diller Scofidio and Renfro. AIANY Tours 10am to 11:30am $15 to $25.
12. ART: All weekend – Ellsworth Kelly’s Chatham Series at MoMA. FREE Fridays from 4 to 8pm.
13. FOOD/DRINK/FILM: All weekend – See/Change at South Street Seaport, an initiative to get people back to the Sandy-stricken area. Smorgasbar, Front Row Cinema, performances and more. This weekend is a preview of what’s to come the rest of the summer. FREE
14. TRANSPORTATION/FUN: Mon 5/27 (Memorial Day) – Citibike! Preview Week begins for Annual Members
15. MUSIC: Sat 5/27 – Mon 5/27 – NY Philharmonic Memorial Day Concert at St. John the Divine. 8pm. FREE
MORE…
All weekend: Beaches! It’s the start of the beach season and there are plenty of nice beaches just a subway or train ride away. We’re partial to the Rockaways though it’s still boardwalk-less post-Sandy and there may be a shuttle bus involved along with the subway for now, but Coney Island, Brighton, Long Beach, Sandy Hook, and Jones Beach are other options. $5 to $16 (transportation).
All weekend in Art: Ugo Rondinone’s installation Human Nature at Rockefeller Center. FREE
TV/FILM: Arrested Development Screening Marathon. 12:30 to 6pm. $8 to $10.
FILM/FUN: Fri 5/24 & Sat 5/25 – Rooftop Films. 8pm. Fri “Love Hurts”; Sat “The Kings of Summer”. $13.
Plus ongoing – Smorgasburg in Williamsburg. Hester Street Fair on the LES. Last weekend for Madison Square Eats.
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Ugo Rondinone: Stonehenge-y Sculptures

Ugo Rondinone, Soul, Gladstone Gallery, NYC, Stone Sculptures, Stone human figures, Human Nature, Public Art Fund, Rockefeller CenterUgo Rondinone, Soul, Gladstone Gallery, NYC, Stone Sculptures, Stone human figures, Human Nature, Public Art Fund, Rockefeller CenterUgo Rondinone, Soul, Gladstone Gallery, NYC, Stone Sculptures, Stone human figures, Human Nature, Public Art Fund, Rockefeller CenterClick to enlarge

I happened upon Swiss-born, NYC-based artist Ugo Rondinone’s Soul exhibit in Chelsea the other day to my great delight. Walking into the Gladstone Gallery and seeing a sort of unhinged Stonehenge in the form of human figures created by stacked bluestone lit naturally from the above skylight is really a treat. Visitors walk between the primitive-looking (and pretty cute) works, oddly blending in. At the same time, uptown, at a completely different scale, Rondinone has created Human Nature, a public art installation at Rockefeller Center consisting of nine colossal stone figures ranging in height from 16 to 20 feet and weighing up to 30,000 lbs each. A forest of mythic stone giants!

Soul will be at Gladstone Gallery at 21st Street through July 3, 2013. Human Nature will be on view at Rockefeller Center through July 7th.

Photos: collabcubed & Public Art Fund
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ALSO! Project: School of Visual Arts (SVA)

Also! Project, SVA students at Wanted Design Fair, The Tunnel, NYC 2013. Interactive carts.Also! Project, SVA students at Wanted Design Fair, The Tunnel, NYC 2013. Interactive carts.Also! Project, SVA students at Wanted Design Fair, The Tunnel, NYC 2013. Interactive carts.Click to enlarge

I stopped by Wanted Design this past weekend in NYC, a small fair showcasing product and furniture design from around the world, and one of several Design Week events going on in NYC right now. There was lots of interesting work (Design in Puerto Rico’s booth had an especially nice collection of objects) and the venue—The Tunnel—was an excellent choice with its designy atmosphere that integrates old and new NY so well. But it’s possible that, for me, the group that stole the show consisted of the SVA Product Design students and their ALSO! Project.

Hard to miss with their neon orange logos, these guys roamed the Tunnel with six interactive projects (several in carts) inviting visitors to view all the exhibits in unconventional ways. The stations included:
No. 1―BOOM -Objects would have a lot to tell us if only they could speak.
No. 2―HERE -Design moments, living unassumingly within the exhibition space.
No. 3―MASK – Ephemera into facade―catalogue to camouflage via die-cutting.
No. 4―TINY – How very different the world appears when scale is amplified.
No. 5―WARP – The show via kaleidoscope; composition through a variety of filters.
Bonus Track!―LIFT – Your telephone, on a journey, to and from a vantage point high above.

I personally only interacted with three of the projects but witnessed two others in use. The students were very engaging and enthusiastic, happy to explain their project to everyone interested and eager to get people to interact. With informative stickers at the ready to paste on your arm or leg, and kaleidoscopic interpretations of the surroundings, as well as viewfinders with images focusing on some of the unnoticed subtleties of the venue, these young designers were excited about the event and what their project brought to it. And rightly so. The Also Project showed creativity, interactivity, and focused on product design from function and form, through to branding, uniform-design, gadgetry and teamwork. Not to mention fun. Hats off to instructor and industrial designer Sinclair Smith of SVA’s Products of Design MFA program for taking his students on this great design journey.

You can read more about the Also Project here. Wanted Design is on through today 5/20 at 7pm.

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NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 5/17

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/17/13 to 5/19/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.

Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/17/13 to 5/19/13)
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/17/13 to 5/19/13) Walks, talks, music, art, architecture, theater, film,
1. ART/FILM/VIDEO: All weekend & through 5/25 Video_dumbo at Eyebeam.  8th annual festival & exhibition of contemporary moving image artwork, will include fourteen video screening programs, alongside eight installation works under the title Re-Return to Sender. Individual screenings $5; day pass $10 (access to all screenings in one day);  festival pass $20 (access to all festival screenings); Exhibition entrance is free. See schedule.
2. MUSIC/FOOD: Fri 5/17 – Great GoogaMooga Kickoff Concert featuring Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Flaming Lips & The Darkness with 85 Food Makers, Brews and Wines. Prospect Park 4pm to 10pm. $54.50 (Not exactly cheap but ticket also includes admission to either Sat or Sun entry to the festival)
3. TALK/MUSIC: Fri 5/17 – An evening with Fab 5 Freddy. 7pm FREE
4. FILM: All weekend – 3rd Annual Art of Brooklyn Film Festival $10 ($50 all-access pass)
5. THEATER: All weekend & through 6/3 – Colin Quinn’s Unconstituional, a unique comedic perspective on our national character. Use code BSTCQU for $35 tkts except Sat@8pm shows.
6. TALK/ART: Fri 5/17 – Suhail Malik presents the next installment of “On the Necessity of Art’s Exit from Contemporary Art. 7pm $5 at Artists Space Books & Talks
7. BOOKS/READINGS/FUN: Sat 5/18 – Lit Crawl NYC Brooklyn. A night of readings, sing-alongs, impromptu writing exercises, and games at various locations around Smith Street  See schedule for locations and “phases” 5pm on. FREE.
8. DESIGN: All weekend & through 5/20 – Wanted Design in The Tunnel: a lively, interactive destination for the design industry and its devotees. $15 online $25 at door.
9. ARCHITECTURE/WALK: Sat 5/18 – Modern Architecture in the West Village and Meatpacking District. 10:30am to 12:30pm. $15 to $25.
10. ART/WALK/ARCHITECTURE: All weekend & through 7/20 – Carol Bove’s seven large-scale sculptures at the Rail Yards Section of the High Line, the third and final section. Advance reservations required for walks. FREE
11. PERFORMANCE/MUSIC/FOOD: All weekend – The 37th Annual Ukrainian Festival. Three days of festivities on East 7th Street plus over 18,000 pierogi! Starting Fri at 6:30pm. FREE
12. ART: All weekend & through 9/2 – EXPO 1: New York at MoMAPS1 with works/installations by Adrian Villar Rojas, Olafur Eliasson, Meg Webster and more. $10
13. MUSIC: Sat 5/18 – Earthman Experience: Haitian-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Richard “Earthman” Laurent presides over this nine-piece fun ensemble. Fela Kuti-inspired Afrobeat meets tribal house jams. 9pm at BAMCafe. FREE
14. ART/DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY: All weekend & through 5/24 – Parsons Festival 2013. Several impressive student exhibits on view in Media, Design, Art & more. 2 West 13th St. Mostly 12pm to 6:30pm but check hours for specific events. FREE
15. FILM: Sat 5/18 – Stan Brakhage at Anthology Film Archives. Six of Brakhage’s early films from 1950s. 3:45pm $10
16. ART/CRAFTS/MUSIC: Sun 5/29 – Pop Souk. A one-day pop-up marketplace that brings together DJs, drag queens and other downtown creative folk. Noon to 6pm at the Standard High Line Biergarten. FREE.
17. ART/DESIGN: Sun 5/19 through 5/26 – reMADE Pop-up gallery project featuring work of local artists and designers. Four shows will run two nights each throughout the week of May 19–26.
18. ARCHITECTURE/COMPETITION: All Weekend & through 6/13 – Van Alen Institute’s Ground/Work Competition Call for Portfolios: an international architecture competition seeking innovative designs for a new street-level venue to house Van Alen’s work space and public programs.
MORE…
CONFERENCE: Fri 5/17 – Uncubed Meet Founders Learn Skills & Join one of NYC’s exciting StartUps plus a Party! 2pm to 7:30pm. $30
DESIGN: All weekend – Home in the Woods in Soho: featuring work by masters and progressive designers and artists with a Nordic connection. 12pm to 8pm, with daily “talks & delights” between 6pm & 7pm. FREE
ART: All weekend with cocktail party on Sat 5/18 from 9pm to 11:30pm – Gallery R’Pure presents “Off the Grid” featuring new pieces from Brooklyn based French born François Chambard and New York based Frederick McSwain
DESIGN: All weekend and through 5/21: ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) at the Javits Ctr. Open to Trade all weekend. FREE with registration.
MUSIC: All weekend – Look & Listen Festival. Vital new music presented by youthful virtuosos surrounded by contemporary art in a casual setting. FREE