June 26, 2014

Koons at The Whitney

It was the last day of Member Previews for the Jeff Koons Retrospective at The Whitney so I forced myself out of the house and drove down to the East Side, found nearby parking and spent a few hours soaking in Koons. It was worth the trip and I highly suggest a visit to everyone who has any interest in contemporary art. Too often we’re getting caught up in the horror of the art marketplace and holding some artists responsible for their ridiculously high prices. Koon’s is high on that list but his work is then not paid the attention it deserves. The Whitney has made it possible to really get to see what he has accomplished over the last forty years. It is an experience worth having.
It being only six o’clock and me being still awake and thirsty, I decided to take in a couple of local art gallery openings. My app told me about something happening at Enrique Faria Fine Art and something at Houser and Wirth, neither too far from the Whitney. The proseco was chilled and plentiful at Enrique Faria and the work—two artists, an Argentine, Eduardo Santierre and a Venezuelan, Mercedes Elena Gonzalez–while not life-changing was pleasant enough. The three-flight climb to the gallery is a bit daunting though and first-time visitors should be aware of what they will be expected to endure for the sake of art (or proseco.)
Hauser and Wirth is presenting an historical show, a revisiting of the MoMA exhibition of 1970 entitled “The Photographic Object.” Two floors, dozens of pieces, some really “classic” works. Very interesting, worth a visit, but not on opening night. If you go, give yourself some time.
And then, out of loyalty to my friends at the Y Gallery and in full knowledge that whatever the new show it’s going to be “interesting”—I drove down to Orchard Street for a exhibition they are calling, “What Goes There?” with work by Alejandro Almanza Pereda, Shay Arick and Bryan Zanisnik. Three young conceptual artists—a Mexican, an Israeli and a New Jerseyite—with three very unique “takes” on the use of space. Worth having a look when you’re in the neighborhood.