Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 6/11-6/17
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 picks for 6sqft readers!
This week I invite you to enjoy a free glass of wine while getting to know my curatorial side at the Roger Smith Hotel in Midtown. A shameless self-promotion, I’m excited to bring the work of Mark John Smith before the eyes of 47th Street. If you don’t feel like meeting me, you can still catch Smith’s work along with his colleagues on Rivington Street, or sample an interactive experience at the Park Avenue Armory. This week you can also catch a sample of short films about street dancing (What time is it? IT’S SHOW TIME!), or gear up on the joys of tech and design at the Hudson 3D fest in Lower Manhattan. Saturday, get outside and celebrate street art in Astoria, or take Van Alen-led tours of Central Park.
Mark John Smith—SMIT, curated by Lori Zimmer ↑
The Window at Roger Smith Hotel, 125 47th Street
June 11th, 6:30-8:30pm
I’m very excited to be working with British artist Mark John Smith, creator of the LIVELIVE Project which brings art to the masses in unexpected ways. For SMIT, Smith will take over the Window at 125 with his soft sculptures that explore something very precious to us New Yorkers: personal space. Tonight will also include a performance during the opening. Join us after for cocktails at the hotel bar, Lily’s.
A Bowery Residence ↑
2 Rivington Street
June 11-June 15
Many artists nowadays are overstepping the whole gallery system, setting up their own events by their own rules—and thus creating some really exciting programming that isn’t motivated by a gallery’s need to pay the bills. Curated by photographer Jessie English, the space at 2 Rivington will become a new exhibition each night with works by American Artist, Andy Wentz, Jessie Sara, Shan T-c, Mark John Smith and Matt Whitman. Something different each night means something for everyone.
Hudson Square in 3D ↑
Various locations, Lower Manhattan
June 11th 8:00am-6:00pm
Channeling all tech- and design-savvy New Yorkers, this all day fest of 3D printing demonstrations in area lobbies, music making workshops, panel discussions and rapid-fire talks (think speed dating meets tech talk). The tech-fest celebrates the infusion of modern technology and 3D printing into film, fashion, art and more.
Philippe Parreno, H{N)YPN(Y}OSIS ↑
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue
June 11th-August 2nd
The summer exhibition at the Park Avenue Armory sounds absolutely epic. Each facet and detail of the armory will play a part in Parreno’s installation, from outdoor noises transmitted from microphones and translated into piano music to electronic shades opening and closing at intervals to cause flushes of light and dark. H{N)YPN(Y}OSIS will bring the building to life, with sound both recorded and live, film, light installations and collaborations.
Last Dance @The Old Gem ↑
695 Grand Street, Williamsburg
June 12th, 6:00-10:00pm
All of the beloved discount stores of Williamsburg are shutting their doors for artisanal hot sauce shops and old timey saloons. To mourn the loss of $1 generic soda, mops and flip flops, Arts@Renaissance, a program of St. Nick’s Alliance, is throwing a three day exhibition and party fundraiser. The opening will feature ’80s music, work by 50 artists, performances and a chance to party down in the cavernous former discount store. The exhibition will continue through the weekend.
Van Alen Hangouts: Play in the Past, Present and Future ↑
Dairy Visitor Center, Central Park
June 13th, 11:00am-1:00pm, 1:30-2:30pm and 4:00-5:30pm.
The folks at the Van Alen Institute have set up a week of interactive learning Hangouts. Today, explore the role of design in children’s play in a series of tours and workshops that dissect playground design. Start with a tour of Central Park’s existing playgrounds, followed by a workshop on bringing nature into play, and finish it off with a look to the future of urban play and how we will see and interact with public space.
AdHoc’s Annual Welling Court Mural Festival ↑
11-98 Welling Court (@ 30th Ave & 12th Street), Astoria
June 13th, 12:00-8:00pm
Bushwick’s seminal AdHocGallery may be gone, but the spirit lives with curatorial projects here and there, culminating in their famous block party/street art bash. Murals from the past and live painting will be meshed with cookouts, well-concealed booze, and a good time party atmosphere.
Selections and Selectors 005-Scott Carthy ↑
The Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
June 16th, 6:30pm-12:00am
The beautiful Williamsburg hotel features this monthly jam of cocktails, a film screening and an after party. This month will show short films by Scott Carthy, who explores the subculture of street dance—from the annoying “ITS SHOWTIME” dudes to the real crews with talent. Afterwards, dance it up with DJ Stephanie of Good Times International.
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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. Follow her on Twitter @LoriZimmer.
