this week in art

FRIEZE ART FAIR WEEK 2015

The art world will descend on Randall’s Island for the Frieze Art Fair this week (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

FRIEZE ART FAIR
Randall’s Island Park
May 14-17, $28-$109
friezenewyork.com

The giant white tents of the Frieze Art Fair will cover Randall’s Island once again for four days in May, promising crowds of eager patrons and onlookers both provocative, astonishing, world-class, expensive art and a group of often delightful, sometimes mystifying, occasionally participatory projects, as well as superlative people-watching and classy eats. Those looking to acquire museum-level works can check out the booths of Marian Goodman, which features the work of Giuseppe Penone, a member of the Italian Arte Povera group; or Paul Kasmin, who has works by Sigmar Polke, Iván Navarro, Jules Olitski, and Laylah Ali on its temporary walls. Matthew Marks will show lots of Nan Goldin and Paul Sietsema; Cheim & Read has Ghada Amer, Louise Bourgeois, and Lynda Benglis; Yoko Ono is at Galerie Lelong; and fans of German painting can choose from Martin Eder, David Schnell, and Melora Kuhn at Eigen + Art. With more than two hundred galleries, Frieze can be overwhelming, but there’s an app to download here and sustenance provided by high-end dining-scene stalwarts Frankie’s Sputino, Milk Bar, Prime Meats, and Roberta’s, among others.

Performance art and an outdoor sculpture garden are part of annual Frieze fair (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Performance projects and an outdoor sculpture garden are part of annual Frieze Art Fair (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

We enjoy the Frieze projects immensely; you can see our video with Marie Lorenz here, as we exited the fair in a rather unique way. This year, there seems to be a theme; two projects boast mazelike layouts and a third is highlighted by a hidden subterranean chamber. Japanese-born Aki Sasamoto makes his maze into a sort of personality test and multiple-choice questionnaire via a series of rooms and doors (shades of Door Number Two and Let’s Make a Deal, perhaps?) while the Flux-Labyrinth reconceives George Maciunas’s 1975 Fluxus work as a participatory set of narrow corridors and mysterious door handles. Korakrit Arunanondchai’s massage chairs and Pia Camil’s free fabric giveaways add to fairgoers’ fun. Los Angeles-based artist Samara Golden’s secret room beneath the fair reveals the working underbelly of pillars, electric cables, and air-conditioning vents — vents that we fervently hope work very well as the enormous crowds descend on this, one of twi-ny’s all-time favorite New York art fairs. Below are some of the special programs at Frieze, as well as information about the other fairs in town this week.

Thursday, May 14
Frieze Talks: ‘Some may like a soft Brazilian singer,’ with Christian Jankowski, featuring the music of Caetano Veloso, 4:00

Friday, May 15
‘Aesthetics’ of ‘Female’ ‘Attractiveness,’ with Casey Jane Ellison, Grace Dunham, Reina Gossett, Karley Sciortino, and Leilah Weinraub, 12 noon

Saturday, May 16
‘Ask Jerry,’ with Jerry Saltz, 12 noon

Sunday, May 17
Paul McCarthy & Leigh Ledare in conversation with Chrissie Iles, 12 midday

COLLECTIVE DESIGN FAIR
Skylight Clarkson Sq.
550 Washington St.
May 13-17, $15-$25
collectivedesignfair.com

Saturday, May 16
“Witness to the Future: Vladimir Kagan and Michael Boodro in Conversation,” 2:30

Sunday, May 17
“Among Friends: The Collaborative Practice and Ongoing Influence of Isamu Noguchi,” 1:00

NADA NEW YORK 2015
Basketball City, 299 South St. at the East River
May 14-17, free
newartdealers.org

Thursday, May 14
“Tachyon Path,” a musical piece composed by Jay Israelson, 6:00

Friday, May 15
Regina Rex presents “Selections from Sports Closet,” a performance by Alina Tenser, 1:00 & 5:00

Sunday, May 17
“On Connectivity,” a discussion with artists from the New Museum’s 2015 Triennial: “Surround Audience,” 3:00

ART MIAMI NEW YORK
Pier 94, 12th Ave. at 55th St.
May 14-17, $15-$25 (multiday pass $55)
www.artmiaminewyork.com

Friday, May 15
Artist Spotlight: “The Diamond,” with Iftah Geva and Gal Goldner, 1:00

Saturday, May 16
“Bad Collector — A Primer on What Not to Do,” with Karen Boyer, Albina De Meio, James Kober, and Samuel Pugatch, 2:00

Book Signing with Acclaimed Photographer & Stylist Marisol, Post-Modern Booth #B19, 3:00 – 6:00

Sunday, May 17
Artist Spotlight: Alexander Zakharov — Exploring New Media Art,” 1:00

SELECT
Center 548, 548 West 22nd St. St.
May 14-17, $10-$20 (multiday pass $25)
www.select-fair.com

Saturday, May 16
“Freedom of Press?” with Lori Cole, Christopher Howard, Aruna D’Souza, and Colleen Asper, moderated by Dushko Petrovich, Select Lounge, third floor, 2:00

Sunday, May 17
“Digital Objects,” with Zoë Salditch, Greg Borenstein, Andrea Wolf, Marco Antonini, and Siebren Versteeg, moderated by Yin Ho, Select Lounge, third floor, 2:00

FRIDGE ART FAIR
Retro Bar & Grill at the Holiday Inn
150 Delancey St.
May 14-17, free
www.fridgeartfair.com

1:54 CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART FAIR
Pioneer Works
159 Pioneer St., Red Hook
May 15-17, $5-$10 ($25 with catalog)
1-54.com/new-york

Friday, May 15
Keynote Address: “Black Aesthetics Unbound,” Margo Natalie Crawford, 1:30

Saturday, May 16
“Breaking the Ice,” with Christian Haye and Melvin Edwards, moderated by Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, 3:00

TICKET ALERT: NEW YORK COMIC CON 2015

The mad rush for New York Comic Con begins on May 13, when tickets go on sale for the October event (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Who: Spotlight Guests Jewel Staite, John Rhys-Davies, Adam Hughes, Chris Claremont, Greg Capullo, Masashi Kishimoto, Scott Snyder, Todd McFarlane, and John Rhys-Davies, Featured Guests Allison Sohn, Amy Reeder, Charles Soule, Terry Dodson, and many, many more to be announced
What: New York Comic Con
Where: Javits Center, 655 W 34th St. at 12th Ave.
When: October 8-11, single day $40-$50, three-day pass $75, four-day pass $105, tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 13, at 12 noon
Why: New York Comic Con continues its exponential growth as it reaches its tenth anniversary, making it harder and harder to get tickets, so there’s no time to waste if you want to go to the annual celebration of pop culture, with particular focuses on gaming, science fiction and fantasy books and films, anime, and all things comic-book-related. The four days, part of New York Super Week, are chock full of panel discussions, sneak-peek screenings, photo and autograph opportunities, book signings, and tons and tons of costumed fans. It’s getting so that those who come dressed in regular clothes are the minority. Tickets will go very quickly, so get yours now; don’t wait around until the big-time celebrity attendees are announced, as there will be plenty of major stars there to promote their latest work and smile for the camera with you.

EVEREST AWAKENING: A GATHERING FOR NEPAL AND BEYOND

Who: Patti Smith, Loudon Wainwright, Kaki King, Jesse Paris Smith, Martha Mooke, Shyam Nepali, Nicole Atkins, Tara Lobsang, Karanjit Singh, Pema Kunsang, and more to be announced
What: An afternoon of live music and art to raise funds and awareness about the plight of Nepal (and Tibet, India, and Bangladesh) following the devastating earthquake, through Everest Awakening
Where: City Winery, 155 Varick St. at Spring St., 212-608-0555
When: Sunday, May 17, $40-$55, 1:00
Why: More than seven thousand people have died as a result of the April 25 earthquake, so Jesse Paris Smith was inspired to found Everest Awakening. Given that appellation by Tenzin Choegyal, the group’s mission statement explains, “The name represents a symbol of the issues faced today in the Himalaya. We think of Everest as so firm, untouchable, and almighty, and yet it was fragile, not spared in the face of this disaster. Mother Earth no longer accepts our presence with silence, so we need to rise up to awaken our hearts.” On May 17, a group of musicians and artists will perform at a benefit at City Winery, including Smith, her mother, Patti, folk troubadour Loudon Wainwright III, guitarist and composer Kaki King, electro-violist and composer Martha Mooke, sarangi player Shyam Nepali, singer-songwriter and painter Nicole Atkins, photographer Karanjit Singh, master calligrapher Tara Lobsang, Buddhist translator Pema Kunsang, and others. You can also contribute to the relief effort by purchasing a copy of Everest Awakening: Prayer for Nepal and Beyond, a collection of seventy-eight songs by such artists as Patti Smith, Flea, Krishna Das, Shilpa Ray, Philip Glass, Anne Waldman, Larkin Grimm, Holly Miranda, Lenny Kaye, and dozens more.

INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL SCREENING AND PARTY

Japan Society
333 East 47th St. at First Ave.
Wednesday, May 20, $20, 7:30 (twenty-one and older only)
212-715-1258
www.japansociety.org

We are extremely frustrated that none of our absolutely adorable and outrageously funny photos and videos of our cats have become internet memes. But on May 20, you can see the past, present, and future of international online superstar felines at the Internet Cat Video Festival Screening & Party at Japan Society, being held in conjunction with the current exhibition, “Life of Cats: Selections from the Hiraki Ukiyo-E Collection.” The Internet Cat Video Festival premiered at the prestigious Walker Art Center in August 2012, then made its New York City debut in October 2013 at Warsaw in Brooklyn. The Japan Society evening, which includes admission to the seventy-minute screening and the exhibition (which continues through June 7), one drink, and light refreshments, is the festival’s Manhattan bow (wow-wow). The video is curated by Will Braden, the krazy kat behind the Henri, le Chat Noir sensation and winner of the festival’s first Golden Kitty Award. Although no live animals are permitted in the building, human guests are encouraged to dress up in their feline finest that will make others go, “Meow!” Among the other upcoming “Life of Cats” programs are Caturday Craft Day on May 16 and a Japan Cuts screening of Neko Samurai on May 30, followed by an Edo Cat Party.

MAPPING BROOKLYN

Joyce Kozloff’s walk-in “Targets” is highlight of “Mapping Brooklyn” show at BRIC (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Who: Works by Aaron Beebe, Francisca Benitez, Justin Blinder, Christine Gedeon, Katarnia Jerinic, Joyce Kozloff, Laura Kurgan, Peter Lapsley, Jennifer Maravillas, Simonetta Moro, Bundith Phunsombatlert, Jan Rothuizen, Patricia Smith, and Sarah Williams
What: “Mapping Brooklyn”
Where: BRIC House, 647 Fulton St., 718-683-5600
When: Sunday, May 3, free, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Why: The BRIC half of the “Mapping Brooklyn” exhibition, which examines the greatest borough in the world from a socio-geographical point of view, comes to a close on May 3 (while the Brooklyn Historical Society part of the show continues through September 6). The centerpiece at BRIC is Joyce Kozloff’s “Targets,” a walk-in globe lined on the inside with colorful aerial maps of locations around the world that have been bombed by the United States between 1945 and 2000, places both well known and not. The detailed maps are set at various angles that mimic the way airplanes swoop, disorienting visitors, as does an echo that reverberates within the structure when you speak. Kozloff’s “L’Amérique du Nord,” from her “Social Studies” series of digitally manipulated French schoolroom maps, is also at BRIC, while several other pieces by the New Jersey-born artist, including the 2015 collage “Waves,” are on view at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

WHITNEY BLOCK PARTY

The Meatpacking District welcomes the Whitney to the neighborhood at all-day block party on May 2 (photo © Nic Lehoux)

Whitney Museum of American Art
99 Gansevoort St.
Saturday, May 2, free, 11:00 – 8:00
212-570-3600
whitney.org

The Whitney is celebrating the opening of its new home on Gansevoort St. with a block party on May 2, featuring live performances, interactive installations, workshops, and free admission to the museum, where you can check out the inaugural exhibitions “America Is Hard to See” and, on the roof, “Mary Heilman: Sunset.” At the block party, you can take the mic in Trisha Baga’s “Whitney Idol Karaoke,” catch K8 Hardy and Ryan McNamara’s pop-up, site-specific The Poseurs, a Dance, trade your own smile recipes for canned smiles in Nari Ward’s “Sugar Hill Smiles,” get your groove on at My Barbarian’s “Classical Music Dance Party,” make forts, monsters, and other cool things at Friends of the High Line’s “High Line Builders,” learn about the history of the Meatpacking District from local purveyors Jobbagy Meats, help Lize Mogel construct a scale model of New York in “Crowd-Sourced City,” and hang out at Ei Arakawa and Shimon Minamikawa’s “Cyber Café.” Live performances include Gobby in Bed-Stuy Love Affair’s “Gate,” spoken-word DJ Mark Beasley, the Ethyl Eichelberger cover band the Eichelburglers, Jacolby Satterwhite’s “Ein Plein Air: Diamond Princess” with Camp & Street, Tracie Morris with Mr. Jerome Harris and Jemman, and a Tribe Called Red.

INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY

Multiple locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan
Saturday, May 2 free
bookstoredaynyc.com

More than two dozen independent bookstores in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are participating in Independent Bookstore Day on May 2, with signings, readings, lectures, film screenings, art exhibits, children’s activities, giveaways, games, food tastings, discussions, and, in several cases, free beer, to steer you clear of Amazon and B&N. Guitarist Gary Lucas will be performing live at bookbook on Bleecker St. Paul Durham, Matt Myklusch, Michael Northrop, Dianne K. Salerni, and Josh Lieb join together for a Fantastic Middle Grade panel at Books of Wonder. Amy Hest, Chris Raschka, Deborah Heligman, and Cynthia Weill are among a dozen authors and illustrators who will be at Bank Street Book Store. Housing Works will host a Kidlit Game Show emceed by C. Alexander London. Colm Tóibín, Eileen Myles, Joseph O’Neill, DJ Spooky, Said Sayrafiezadeh, and others are among the literati taking part in a marathon Langston Hughes reading at McNally Jackson. Jon Scieszka will lead a Mad Scientist Party at the Community Bookstore, followed by an evening celebration with Paul Auster, William Corbett, and Felix Harr. The powerHouse Arena will launch Luke’s Lobster’s Real Maine Food, with sample treats. And Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman will be team captains in a game of Pictionary at the Astoria Bookshop during this first-ever national Independent Bookstore Day.