The 12 New Art Shows to See This Week

Jonathan LeVine Gallery (557 West 23rd Street) presents their fifth solo show, "All My Bones," with SoCal artist Josh Agle, aka SHAG, opening on May 14, 6 to 8 p.m. The paintings -- in his distinct mid-century modern style -- were inspired by a children's book of Old Testament stories. Up until June 13. LeVine also opens solo exhibitions by Scott Musgrove and Eloy Morales on May 16th, 6 to 8 p.m., over at his 529 West 20th Street space, and also up until June 13.


Swoon celebrates the debut of her non-profit organization, The Heliotrope Foundation, with a pop-up exhibition called "The Road By Walking" opening on Thursday, May 14th, 6 to 9 p.m. at 287 Gallery (287 10th Avenue) and running thru Saturday.  The foundation supports projects that "use art to make lasting social change" and the exhibition (and auction) looks at the people and places that inspired the artist to get involved.  Swizz Beatz & The Dean Collection co-host.


The first NYC show, "Topography of a Daydream," by the Tel Aviv-based artist KLONE opens on May 14, 6 to 8 p.m. at Garis & Hahn (263 Bowery).  Though born in the Ukraine, KLONE says he doesn't identify himself as either Israeli or Russian, and the works in this show address his diaspora and "outsider" status.  Look for several new sculptures, drawings, animations and a sight-specific mural.  Check out FATCAP's 2010 Q&A with the artist HERE.
 


Creative Time launches their big spring exhibition, "Drifting in Daylight," ) on Friday, May 15, noon to 6 p.m. outdoors in the north end of NYC's Central Park.  Look for works by Spencer Finch, Marc Bamuthi, Karyn Olivier, Lauri Stallings and four other artists as you wander through the park starting at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (enter at 110th Street and Malcolm X Blvd.).  The works are "performative, participatory or perceptual" and they'll be on view for six weekends only, from noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.


Black & White Gallery (56 Bogart Street, Brooklyn) has a show by two Brooklyn artists, Raul de Nieves and Erik Zajaceskowski called "Thank You" opening on Friday, May 15, 6 to 9 p.m.  They've constructed a large installation out of plastic and other refuse from their neighborhood, and hope to "engulf the viewer."  They're also doing a live performance during Bushwick Open Studios, June 5 to 7.

Since the weather is finally getting better, the outdoor art season is gearing-up. Storm King Art Center (Mountainville, NY) presents an exhibition called "Water Sources" by Lynda Benglis opening on May 16th and running through November 8th. Over a dozen outdoor sculptures will be on view, including several that haven't been shown before.

"Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life" opens on May 16th at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx with a re-creation of the artist's garden and studio, plus more than a dozen works.  It's up until November. 

Though it's not outdoors, Jack Shainman's Kinderhook, NY, gallery celebrates its first anniversary on Sunday, May 17th from 1 to 4 p.m., with a solo show by El Anatsui and a musical performance by Imani Uzuri. Check it out before the end of August.


If you can't sleep on Friday night, May 16th, head over to Richard Taittinger Gallery (154 Ludlow Street) 11:59 p.m. for the opening of a solo show by Turkish artist Haluk Akakce called "Come Midnight."  The reception runs until Saturday morning at 8 a.m.  Plan to "investigate the delicate balance between the earth and the spirit world."  The exhibition of new video, paintings, drawings and sculptures runs until June 21st.

Sandra Schulman will sign copies of her new book, "Spiritual America: The Catalog 1983 - 1984," about the early East Village art scene on May 14th, 6 to 8 p.m., at Dorian Grey Gallery (437 East 9th Street).  More book action at Other Criteria (458 Broome Street) with the release party for Damien Hirst's "The Complete Psalm Paintings" on May 15th, 4 to 7 p.m.

The annual New York Academy of Art MFA Thesis Exhibition (Wilkinson Gallery, 111 Franklin Street) opens on Tuesday, May 19th, 6 to 8 p.m. and will be up until May 25th.  Works by 57 artists will be shown.

Art in General (79 Walker Street) opens three new shows on Saturday, May 16, 6 to 8 p.m.: Andrea Galvani "The End," Halmos "INCUBATORACCELERATOR" and Katie Torn "Myopia's Toil."  Halmos' work co-opts the Silicon Valley "incubator" as a mode of art production.  Collaborations/contributions will be displayed in the gallery's storefront.

BENEFIT ART AUCTIONS:


There are benefit auctions galore all week including "Choice Works" hosted by Marilyn Minter, Cindy Sherman and Laurie Simmons for Planned Parenthood on May 15th, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Sotheby's (1334 York Avenue).  VIP preview party tickets are HERE and the auction via Artsy closes on May 15th at 9 p.m.

BOFFO's spring benefit, aka The Narcissists Ball, happens next Monday, May 18th, 6 to 9 p.m., in the Elizabeth Street Garden (209 Elizabeth Street).  This year's theme, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," promises " a self-love affair of epic proportions" and honors Larry Clark, Karim Rashid and SHoP Architecture. Tickets (if available) are HERE.

The Tenth Visual AIDS Vanguard Awards are also on May 18, 6 to 9 p.m., in the Prince George Ballroom (15 East 27th Street) , hosted by Mike Albo with  a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and music by DJ Aaron Tilford and special performance by Justin Vivian Bond.  This year's honorees are Jim Hodges, Julie Ault and Luna Luis Ortiz.  Tickets for this one (if they're still available) are HERE.


White Columns 2015 Benefit Auction is on Wednesday, May 20th, 7 to 10 p.m. in their gallery at 320 West 13th Street (enter on Horatio).  You can check out the works on offer -- by artists including Joshua Abelow, Alain Biltereyst, Elizabeth Jaeger, Meredith James and Margaret Lee and over 100 more -- by stopping by the gallery Monday through Friday before the auction.  Tickets for the party and auction are $150.

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