Events &amp; Things To Do

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. Ahead Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer shares her top event picks for 6sqft readers! The work of the wonderful Pipillotti Rist has won over New Yorkers at both the New Museum and in Times Square, and now a new event invites guests to hear from the artist herself as she closes out her much-lauded “Pixel Forest.” Also this week, Albertine at the French Embassy invites guests to their beautiful space for a talk between Frédéric Beigbeder and American novelist Jay McInerney on his new book. If you're searching for affordable art, you can grab a work for $120 while also supporting Planned Parenthood and the ACLU at the MF GALLERY in Gowanus. Finally, head to sister galleries Last Rites and Booth Gallery, to discover new photography, and a realist group show, respectively.
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Events & Things To Do

January 19, 2017

Gain free admission to these NYC cultural institutions on Inauguration Day

A couple weeks ago, a long list of artists, including Cindy Sherman and Richard Serra, started a petition calling for cultural institutions to close on Inauguration Day as "an act of noncompliance" against "Trumpism." That list has grown to 740 artists and critics, and many galleries, museums, and academic spaces will shut their doors tomorrow according to the J20 Art Strike. But there's also a long list of museums and cultural institutions across the city that have decided to take an alternate approach and remain open, offering free admission and/or special programming. From a marathon reading of Langston Hughes’s"Let America Be America Again" at the Brooklyn Museum to special gallery tours at the Rubin, these are all the (free!) ways to use the arts as an outlet on Inauguration Day.
See the full list here

Events & Things To Do

January 13, 2017

Pieces of Thomas Heatherwick’s massive, climbable ‘Vessel’ arrive at Hudson Yards site

Back in September, Related Companies chairman Stephen Ross finally unveiled the large-scale artwork that would anchor the central public space within Hudson Yards. As Ross revealed, Thomas Heatherwick was chosen to design the piece, and it would cost an incredible $150 million to build. Dubbed "The Vessel,” the climbable sculpture would rise 16-stories—150 feet tall, 50 feet wide at its base and 150 feet wide at the top—and consist of a web of 154 concrete and steel staircases with 2,500 steps, 80 landings and an elevator; the piece, in fact, so massive that it could comfortably accommodate 1,000 visitors at a time. The sculpture was to be constructed in Monfalcone, Italy before being shipped to its home on the Hudson River. And now CityRealty reports that parts of what Ross once called "New York's Eiffel Tower" have officially arrived at the site and await assembly.
More photos this way

January 12, 2017

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week — 1/12-1/18

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. Ahead Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer shares her top event picks for 6sqft readers! Get nasty this week with not only one, but two powerful group exhibitions featuring female artists who are biting back at The Untitled Space and The Knockdown Center in Queens. Get a curator’s insight on art history at The Met, then step into the future of art with a talk on virtual reality at The New Museum. David Zwirner welcomes the work of famed illustrators R. Crumb and his wife, and Canada Gallery discusses the work of Elizabeth Murray with Linda Yablonsky. Finally, educate yourself on New York history, first with an incredible photography show about New Yorkers in protest at the Bronx Documentary Center, then at UnionDocs for a film on the Lower East Side of yesteryear when squatters ruled the streets—and abandoned buildings.
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Events & Things To Do

January 11, 2017

Iconic ‘Miss Manhattan’ and ‘Miss Brooklyn’ statues return to the Manhattan Bridge

“Miss Manhattan” by Daniel Chester French. It was originally alongside the Manhattan Bridge, but was moved to the entrance of the Brooklyn Museum. Courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum. In the early 1900s, renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French was asked to create "two allegorical figures," a Miss Manhattan and a Miss Brooklyn, to stand at the Brooklyn entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. The granite women were removed, however, in the 1960s when Robert Moses decided to move them. They were then relocated to their current home at the Brooklyn Museum's entrance, but after a 10-year, $450,000 project, a resin replica of the original has returned to the bridge. As the Times tells us, sculptor and installation artist Brian Tolle (he's also responsible for the Irish Hunger Memorial) designed the new version to glow at night with interior LED lights and rotate "on two lamppost-like arms."
See the ladies in action

Events & Things To Do

January 9, 2017

Built in Poland and shipped in pieces, NYC’s biggest modular hotel project is 55 percent complete

The 20-story, 300-room project at 185 Bowery was constructed in Poland and shipped to New York in 210 pieces. Owned by Dutch hotel developer/operator Citizen M with Brack Capital Real Estate, the high-rise hotel at 185 Bowery is more than half done, reports the Wall Street Journal. It will be the largest permanent modular hotel project ever in NYC. Modular construction is more common in Europe; the developer already has nine hotels up and running and 14 in the works. They’ve used the technique of stacking sealed, factory-made units containing finished hotel rooms on the majority of those projects.
Check out photos of the sealed hotel pods arriving

January 5, 2017

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 1/5-1/11

Happy New Year! New year, new month, new #Midnightmoment film in Times Square. This month Pipilotti Rist flattens and squishes her face each night across the screens in conjunction with her solo show at the New Museum. SF’s Spoke Art also opens a new show curated at Supersonic at their LES outpost, and Japanese artist Ayakamay examines media perception at The Lodge Gallery. But if you're looking for a throwback or something more low-key, hear from old school graffiti writers at Eric Firestone Gallery, or treat yourself to new and exciting film at the Museum of the Moving Image. Lastly, head to The City Reliquary to catch a screening about Philip Johnson’s iconic World’s Fair pavilion in Flushing Meadow, bring your ideas to The Center for Architecture, and then visit the Brooklyn Museum for free courtesy of Target.
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Events & Things To Do

January 5, 2017

Get 2-for-1 tickets at 74 museums, venues, tours during NYC Attractions Week

If you hate flying solo, this deal is for you. Starting January 17th, the city will kick off its first ever NYC Attractions Week, a 20-day (not 7!) extravaganza that will offer two-for-one admission at more than 70 New York destinations and experiences, including museums like the Guggenheim and Cooper Hewitt, rides to the top of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center, access to Lincoln Center and The Metropolitan Opera House, and much more.
find out more and #seeyourcity

Ride Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel for free on New Year’s Eve

Image via Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

December 29, 2016

Ride Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel for free on New Year’s Eve

Since it opened on the Coney Island boardwalk in 1920, the landmarked Wonder Wheel has given more than 35 million rides. If you want to add to this number, a press release from Deno's Wonder Wheel tells us that it will offer free rides from 6 to 10pm on New Year's Eve. They'll also charge only $5 from 11am to 2pm on New Year's Day to coincide with the annual Polar Bear Plunge (50 percent of January 1st's profits will go to the Plunge's charity Camp Sunshine).
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Events & Things To Do

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for New Year’s Eve 2017

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! With most of us ready to kick 2016 to the curb, there’s never been a better reason to get out and do something big for New Year’s Eve. This Saturday, put on something fancy/freaky/celebratory and get yourself to one of these amazing experiential parties. Take a cue from Dali at the Second Annual Surrealist Ball at the Roxy Hotel, or go Black Tie with Soho Grand’s Masquerade Ball. Expand your Sleep No More experience with their super fancy Bohemian Ball, or get a table at Mission Chinese for Luke Neocamp’s takeover. Hang all night at an art opening by Rae BK, or go the tourist way for the 112th New Year’s celebration in Times Square. Or if you’re in Brooklyn, head to The Well for a massive Tiki Disco, or to the immersive House of Yes for a party looking to the future. Whatever path you choose, happy New Year to all!
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Events & Things To Do

December 23, 2016

New Yorkers love ‘It’s a Wonderful Life:’ Mapping every state’s favorite holiday movie

New Yorkers tend to be a distinct mix of cynicism and optimism, so it's not surprising that our favorite holiday movie is "It's a Wonderful Life," the classic Christmas tale of George Bailey being saved from his suicidal state by a guardian angel who helps him see the positive impact he's had in his life. This data comes from CableTV's fun map of every state's favorite holiday movie, which they arrived at by cross referencing AMC's top-rated holiday movies with state data over the past decade from Google Trends.
See the full map and find out the country's top pick

Events & Things To Do

December 23, 2016

Did you know ‘The Night Before Christmas’ was written in New York’s Chelsea?

This may be hard to imagine, but one of the holiday's most iconic stories was written in none other than Manhattan's Chelsea. Ephemeral NY recounts the origins of Clement Clarke Moore's quintessential Christmas tale, "The Night Before Christmas," and points to early 19th century life in New York as the inspiration for the classic. As the story goes, the year was 1822, and Moore was said to have come up with the poem on a snowy day while riding around Chelsea in a sleigh, on his way to pick up a turkey from the market.
find out more here

December 21, 2016

The Urban Lens: Visiting Gramercy’s Pete’s Tavern, where O. Henry penned ‘The Gift of the Magi’

By James and Karla Murray

6sqft’s ongoing series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, award-winning photographers James and Karla Murray return with a look inside Pete's Tavern, a Gramercy favorite with beautiful holiday decorations and an interesting historical connection to Christmas. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Pete's Tavern lays claim to being NYC's oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant. Established in 1864, it's become famous for the fact that O. Henry is said to have written the classic short Christmas story "The Gift of the Magi" while dining and drinking here. We recently visited Pete's to photograph its lovely holiday decorations and to chat with restaurateur Gary Egan and manager A.C. about the establishment's unique history, connection to O. Henry, and time as a speakeasy during Prohibition.
All the photos and the interview

December 20, 2016

6sqft Designer Gift Guide: 85 ideas curated by NYC creatives

Your holiday shopping companion has arrived! For the second year in a row, 6sqft has asked a handful of New York City designers, architects and artists to share five things they plan of gifting this season (and maybe one they hope to receive). Ahead find 85 truly unique and unexpected items curated by the city's most talented creatives. We promise that there is something for every budget and taste—and plenty of ideas to choose from if you happen to find yourself scrambling for a present at the last minute.
See all their gift picks here

December 19, 2016

First look at the Second Avenue Subway’s $4.5M public art installation

If a sparkling new line isn't cause enough to celebrate, once the Second Avenue Subway opens on January 1st, 2017, millions of New Yorkers will also be treated to several stretches of world-class art while navigating the 96th, 86th, 72nd, and 63rd Street stations. As the Times first reports, the MTA has poured $4.5 million into beautifying the stations with contemporary tile artworks by famed names Chuck Close, Sarah Sze, Vik Muniz, and Jean Shin.
see more here

Gramercy Park will open to the public for one hour on Christmas Eve

Photo via Bosc d’Anjou/Flickr

December 19, 2016

Gramercy Park will open to the public for one hour on Christmas Eve

For one precious hour, mere mortals will have the chance to walk through Gramercys Park's iron gates sans key. Curbed reports that on Christmas Eve the Gramercy Park Block Association will host its annual holiday caroling hour with the local Parish of Calvary-St. George's, and from 6:00 to 7:00pm all will be welcome.
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Events & Things To Do

December 16, 2016

New-York Historical Society opens new exhibit featuring rare artwork of boxer Muhammad Ali

By Metro New York

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” is how boxing icon Muhammad Ali described his fighting style. If that sounds more poetic than you’d think of boxing or the famed heavyweight champion’s technique, prepare to see them in a new way at the New-York Historical Society’s latest exhibit. “Muhammad Ali, LeRoy Neiman and the […]

Events & Things To Do

December 16, 2016

Governor Cuomo announces ‘Subway Therapy’ Post-Its will be preserved

Among the more positive things to emerge from the 2016 election was the very visible outpour of love and solidarity by New Yorkers, who not only took to the streets together to stand up for what they believe in, but without inhibition expressed their anger, fears, hopes and words of comfort for one another on colorful Post-Its stretched along the 14th Street-6th/7th Avenue subway corridor. Recognizing the historic nature of this spontaneous art movement, Governor Cuomo announced this morning that the New-York Historical Society will partner with the MTA to preserve some of the thousands of "Subway Therapy" sticky notes that have materialized over the last weeks.
more details here

December 16, 2016

JFK’s TWA Hotel breaks ground, gets new renderings

The shovels were out at JFK's TWA Flight Terminal yesterday, as MCR Development and JetBlue broke ground on their project to turn Eero Saarinen‘s mid-century modern masterpiece into the high-end, 505-room TWA Hotel. According to a press release, Governor Cuomo attended the festivities, noting that the conversion "will preserve this iconic landmark while cementing JFK’s status as a crown jewel of aviation." The news also came with two renderings that show the two, six-story, crescent shaped hotel buildings that will rise on either side of the existing structure.
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December 15, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 12/15-12/21

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! Fit some arty fun in between your holiday parties this week. Start out with a performance by David Louis Zuckerman at On Stellar Rays Gallery or get your opera on in a sampling of new works at Merkin Concert Hall. Grab an artist-designed host gift for your next party at Life:Curated’s holiday party, then enjoy the festivities yourself as MoMA PS1 transforms their VW dome into a huge snow globe. Pick up some affordable art for yourself and your loved ones while supporting the Standing Rock effort on Saturday, and get political at the #Pussypower group show. Check out Hyon Gyon’s fusion of hard and soft at SHIN Gallery, then ring in the holiday weekend with the stylings of the lovely Anna Copacabanna.
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Events & Things To Do

December 13, 2016

Rare modernist pieces by Prouvé, Le Corbusier, Gaudí and more up for auction today

If your idea of a perfect stocking stuffer is a classic Serge Mouille three-armed ceiling light, the auction of items from the private collection of architect Lee Mindel, which begins today, is just what your gift list ordered. "Light & Aerie: The Collection of Lee F. Mindel, FAIA" includes dozens of rare modernist pieces from the architect's personal collection. Mindel is moving from his Chelsea loft in a former hat factory to a new aerie in Tribeca's rare and collectible Herzog & de Meuron-designed "Jenga tower" at 56 Leonard Street; Mindel's loft is available, too, if you've got a really big stocking to fill. Auction house Phillips is handling the sale, which includes stunning pieces ranging from art to furniture, lighting and decorative items by the likes of Jean Prouvé, Antoni Gaudí, Georges Braque, Hans J. Wegner, Ettore Sottsass, Jr. and many, many more.
Check out some of the iconic pieces headed for auction

December 13, 2016

Historic districts and landmarking: What they mean and how they could affect you

In New York City, where buying and selling real estate is a high-stakes endeavor, the topic of historic and landmark designation is frequently raised. There are heated discussions on the subject of listing neighborhoods or buildings on the State and National Register of Historic Places or having them designated by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. It's important to know what those organizations do and the distinctions between them. You could even be eligible for significant financial aid for your renovations if you own property in an historic district.
Find out what these designations mean, how you could benefit from them and why they're sometimes controversial.

December 12, 2016

Westbeth Artists Housing starts its own post-it therapy project, ‘Write Now’

By Metro New York

A West Village exhibit is taking a page from the fluttering layers of post-it notes scrawled with messages of hope and frustration that have cropped up in underground passageways around the city since the election. The “Write Now” exhibit is adopting the zeitgeist—this apparent need among New Yorkers to both purposefully express their feelings and […]

Events & Things To Do

December 10, 2016

12 alternative holiday events, exhibits, and outings in NYC