Report from New York

Spring in New York inspires wandering around to galleries and spending time gazing wordlessly...

Here are some shows and events In NEW YORK that I am excited about this week!
The Institute for figuring's
Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef
is on display in the NYU display windows on Broadway between 11th and 12th sts.
their project can be read about here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/arts/design/04crochet.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
This is a collaborative, long-term project exploring crochet, lace making, natural forms, the environment, global warming, and the nature of structures.
the institute for figuring is one of my personal favorites-
I was totally delighted to see this for real and in person!
I also recommend their site: http://theiff.org/exhibits/iff-e9.html
Take a look and be amazed!

Louise Despont,
The Plant Life of Saints
nicelle beauchene gallery
163 eldridge street, new york, ny 10002
t: 212.375.8043
http://www.nicellebeauchene.com/

This show features amazing Emma Kuntz-esque drawings on antique Leger books. There is also a film which is a sort of animation of the drawings, though the film was not working yet when I saw the show. The work looked better on the site than it did in person- the assemblages and the use of antique materials struck me as a bit gimmicky and strategic. That being said, her work has lots of element I just love- diagrammatic detailing that suggests the mechanical and the organic at once, and alludes to tantric drawing practice. This is beautiful, energetic and exciting work.The exhibit is in a small but thoughtfully put-together new gallery on Eldridge in the east village. They get extra points for being friendly and having lovely fresh flowers at the desk, bringing a note of spring inside.
Well worth a detour....

DARGERISM: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS AND HENRY DARGER
Featuring Amy Cutler, Henry Darger, Jefferson Friedman, Anthony Goicolea, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Yun-Fei Ji, Justine Kurland, Justin Lieberman, Robyn O'Neil, Grayson Perry, Paula Rego, and Michael St. John.
Brooke Davis Anderson, curator
and
ASA AMES: OCCUPATION SCULPTURING

American Folk Art Museum
45 West 53rd Street
New York NY 10019
T 212. 265. 1040
http://www.folkartmuseum.org

I always love the folk art museum. It is JUST the right size, has interesting, intimate spaces for viewing the work , and a world-class collection of art. They also have terrific and imaginatively curated exhibits, featuring both contemporary and older work, often juxtaposed.
When I am there, I get a sense of America as a rare and special place filled with talented people making really interesting art that reflects their background and stories, often using very humble materials. I feel a cultural pride I almost never feel anywhere else. Currently on display are two compelling exhibits: Dargerism and Asa Ames.
Dargerism posits Dargers work with that of contemporary artists who have been influenced by him. This category includes me(though not, sadly, this exhibit!), and any excuse to see his work. The most convincing successor is Greyson Perry of the UK, whose genius decorated pots tell stories of childhood trauma and abuse, alienation, sexual ambiguity and use art history, fairy tales and pop culture to create their imagery. His work is amazing, strong, visual stuff, and very much can hold it's own with Darger's work. I was sorry that they only had two of his pots on display. The show was really interesting, and thoughtfully constructed, but aside from Perry, the contemporary work looked pretty pale in comparison to the sheer inventiveness and scope of Darger's oeuvre. The museum, which has the world's largest holding of Darger's work, has an active interest in claiming his lasting importance as an artist. I do actually think that he does have the kind of impact they are claiming for him, but I am a bit unsure whether this is convincingly made clear via this exhibit.That being said, the Dargers on display are worth coming to see in thier own right, and all caveats aside, this is a really important show. The Curator, Brooke Davis Anderson has been responsible for many of my favorites over the years, including the spectacular "obsessive drawing" exhibit they had a year or two back....


Asa Ames, their second, much smaller show, has the wood portrait work of 18th c. sculptor Asa Ames. This is a small exhibit of polychromed, exquisitely , sensitively wrought portraits, mostly of children. These are quietly astonishing, and made me want to see more, much more. There may not BE many more however- Ames, who worked around 1850 or so, died at age 27, robbing the world of a truly unique talent. This show is tiny , quiet and great,. It should not be missed.

Lastly,
a public art event on Monday, That I am sure will be great!

The Public Art Fund
presents
James Yamada's
Our Starry Night
April 28, 2008
At Doris C. Freedman Plaza in
Central Park
(Fifth Avenue and 60th Street , New York )
5-6pm: Viewing at Doris C. Freedman Plaza


James' work is surprising, inventive, and always worth a gander-
go and see for yourself!