Richard Serra at Gagosian Chelsea
For the exhibition entitled “Junction/Cycle,” one of the reigning macho man artists presents two of his newest massive “weatherproof steel” sculptures. Serra says that he considers “space to be a material” and attempts “to use sculptural form to make space distinct.” Walking through the freestanding, torqued monoliths is indeed a singular experience. Watching a Serra work being installed, complete with the entire blocked closed off to accommodate their size, is a welcome break from the quotidian.
Through November 26th
www.gagosian.com
Lisa Yuskavage at David Zwirner
Sure, Yuskavage has been making her cartoony sort of (almost) Lesbiana for nearly twenty years. But it is nearly impossible not to be wowed by her endlessly inventive color palates and contemplative, sexual scenarios—not to mention her painterly chops. Using large scale to further impress, in Edge of Towners (2011) an elfin female in a lettuce-like wrap rests her impossibly large breasts on a table that is also a country landscape. The sexy green apple she clutches seems to be absorbing the brunt of her frustration.
Through November 5th
www.davidzwirner.com
Nicola Tyson at Friedrich Petzel
One of the true underappreciated masters of figure painting, Tyson is showing her newest Leigh Bowery-inspired characters in large scale. They’re like Grand Guignol characters in contemporary dress, and are as charming as they are bizarre. Tyson has recently been making small bronze sculptures, which are also on display, but it’s the oil paintings that make the most lasting impressions.
Through November 5th
www.petzel.com
Tabaimo at James Cohan
Entitled “DANDAN,” the installation consists of memorable video projections by the Japanese artist. The central work in the main gallery, BLOW, 2009, is projected onto a curved half-pipe ramp. The viewer is invited to walk through the seamless, multi-channel projection in which human bones, organs and blood vessels surface from a watery world and morph into forms that recall the origins of life emerging from the primordial soup. Not to be missed.
Through October 29th
www.jamescohan.com
Nick Cave at Jack Shainman
The artist creates installations of costumes that he refers to as “sound-suits,” named for the rubbing or clicking or hum his art couture makes when worn. His suits often evoke elaborate, fashionable burkas, designed to cloak the race and gender of anyone who willing to disappear by venturing inside them. For the current exhibition at Jack Shainman, “Ever-After,” Cave has created a tableau of seven figures, meant to represent one being, all draped in a single long shawl constructed of shiny black buttons. Tuba-like, beaded bells reside where the heads should be, and although we can’t see any facial features, emotions—such as optimism, disappointment, pride, shame and hope—somehow manage to make themselves known.
Closes October 8th.
www.jackshainman.com
Lari Pittman at Barbara Gladstone
Whether he’s painting faces, numerals, vegetables, teacups or eyeballs, Pittman makes each bit seem like his own creation. His large, busy, musical and allegorical works here are made from acrylic, Cel-vinyl, aerosol lacquer on gessoed canvas over panel. A Lari Pittman painting refuses to conform and never ages. The exhibition is a welcome treat for New York’s art calendar. Through October 22nd
www.gladstonegallery.com
William Anastasi/N. Dash at Nicole Klagsbrun
A smart two-person show that pairs N.Dash’s Commuter works with Anastasi’s ongoing series of subway and pocket drawings. Anastasi creates his art with surrealist flair, scratching out his subconscious on paper in his pocket while walking. Titles often refer to the destination or distance traveled while the drawing was made, adding a cheeky conceptual layer to these charming works. Often the drawings resemble the antiquated computer output of an earthquake measuring device or lie detector. His secretive practice is unpocketed for the exhibition, and the results are brooding but melodic.
Through October 22nd
www.nicoleklagsbrun.com
Paul Henry Ramirez at Galerie Richard
Paris’s Galerie Richard has just opened a Chelsea space, and we’re told its program will be devoted to emerging and mid-career artists. Paul Henry Ramirez, despite being in several important private and public collections, remains less known than he should be. For “Playconics” the painter is exhibiting new work forged from his colorful biomorphic vocabulary. The artist’s playfully sexual balloons and appendages constantly appear to change in both form and function. His interactive TIPSY paintings can be rotated by the viewer to make several variations of the paintings, effectively a witty comment on abstraction and art’s tacit “no-touch” policies.
Through October 15th
www.galerierichard.com
DOUBLE CRESCENT-Curated by Dan Cameron at C24
Certainly one of our most relevant curators, Dan Cameron has dedicated himself of late to increasing our awareness of art and artists from Turkey and New Orleans. In his own words, the current exhibition “examines the art of two great port cities that have channeled European culture into unexpected colors and shapes. Both Istanbul and New Orleans have existed as exotic relics of a colonial past, and both have undergone extraordinary transformations over the past 100 years.” Painting, drawing and multimedia works have been brought together for this essential gallery stop.
Through October 22nd.
www.chelsea24.com
Carrie Moyer at CANADA
Moyer has honed a distinct language in her painterly practice, one in which the impulsive is rendered careful and important. Shapes in her abstract world can evoke fingers and holes or deep-sea landscapes. The current exhibition is entitled “Canonical” and is a nuanced and entertaining assemblage. You’ll be surprised what acrylic can convey.
Through October 16th
www.canadanewyork.com
Beautiful classical selection. Esp. love the traditional element at Tyson/Petzel. Pleasant contrast to the boring ,,Contemporary Art” provocations.