Each week, we search New York City for the most exciting and thought-provoking shows, screenings, and events. Along with other selections, this edition of Editors’ Picks focuses on Asia Week New York, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week and sees 48 international dealers touch down in galleries across the Upper East Side.
Monday, March 18–Sunday, June 23
Statuette of a goddess (1st century BC–1st century AD), Babylon. Photo courtesy of the Musée du Louvre, Paris © RMN-Grand Palais/Art Resource, New York.
1. “The World Between Empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Between 100 BC and 250 AD, the Roman and Parthian Empires ruled the Middle East. The Met takes a look at the many cultures that flourished in the region during that time, and at the thriving trade routes that sprang up between regions as far afield as Mesopotamia, southwestern Arabia, Judaea, and Syria.
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, 1000 Fifth Avenue
Price: $25 general admission
Time: Sunday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Thursday, March 21
Scenocosme: Gregory Lasserre an Anaïs met den Ancxt, detail of Metamorphy (2014). Photo courtesy of the artist.
2. “Asia Week Celebration: An Elegant Night of Art and Conversation” at the Rubin Museum
Asia Week’s biggest party features plenty of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, plus a chance to see the Rubin’s collection of Himalayan art and current exhibitions, including “Faith and Empire: Art and Politics in Tibetan Buddhism” (through July 15).
Location: Rubin Museum, 150 West 17th Street
Price: $125
Time: 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Thursday, March 21–Saturday, April 20
A work by Anton van Dalen. Courtesy of P.P.O.W. Gallery.
3. “Anton van Dalen: Junk Kulture” at P.P.O.W.
Anton van Dalen gets personal for his second show at P.P.O.W., offering visitors a look at his roots in graphic design, as well as furniture and objects from his East Village home.
Location: P.P.O.W., 535 West 22nd Street
Price: Free
Time: Opening reception, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.; Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Cristina Cruz
Through Saturday, March 23
4. “The Cosmos Within: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork and Ceramics” at Onishi Gallery
This group exhibition brings together 26 contemporary artists specializing in crafting kōgei, or objects that express the small, intimate wonders of everyday life rather than universal truths. The show promises to deliver some of the very best examples of this fascinating niche: 10 of the artists featured here have been named “Living National Treasures” by the Japanese government for their work in safeguarding and celebrating the nation’s millennia-old cultural traditions.
Location: Onishi Gallery, 521 West 26th Street
Price: Free
Time: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Tim Schneider
Myōchin Kiyoharu, An articulated figure of a dragon (18th–19th century).
5. “The Japanese Aesthetic” at Giuseppe Piva Japanese Art
Highlights of this exhibition include a complete Edo period purple-laced suit of samurai armor and a russet-iron articulated dragon figure.
Location: Adam Williams Fine Art, 24 East 80th Street
Price: Free
Time: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Tucker West
Through Sunday, March 24
Matsyavatāra (The Fish Incarnation of Vishnu) (1730). Courtesy of Navin Kumar Gallery
6. “Technologies of Self” at Navin Kumar Gallery
To coincide with Asia Week, Navin Kumar has curated an exhibition that centers on the connection between Modern meditation and Buddhist philosophy. The works range from 15th-century Buddhist sculptures to 20th-century paintings by Indian masters depicting historical and mythological scenes from the life of Buddha and Indian lore.
Location: 24 E. 73rd Street, Suite 4F
Price: Free
Time: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
—Neha Jambhekar
Through Friday, March 29
Liu Dan (2018). Image courtesy of INK Studio.
7. “Four Accomplishments in Ink” at INK Studio
At 65 years old, Zeng Xiaojun is one of the most important Chinese ink artists working today. He is inspired by the tradition of Chinese literary scholars.
Location: J.J. Lally & Co., 41 East 57th Street, Suite 1400
Price: Free
Time: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Nan Stewert
Through Saturday, March 30
Jeff Donaldson, Paternal Homage (1971). Courtesy Kravets Wehby Gallery.
8. “Jeff Donaldson, Revolutionary Vision: Work from 1963–2004” at Kravats|Wehby
Kravats|Wehby presents works by Jeff Donaldson (1932–2004), some of which have never before been shown in New York. One of the founders of the Chicago artists collective AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), Donaldson collages corrugated cardboard and different colored foils to create uniquely beautiful paintings that aimed to counteract negative and racist stereotypes about black people.
Location: Kravats|Wehby, 521 West 21st Street
Price: Free
Time: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Through Friday, April 26
Tomimoto Kenkichi, Round White Vessel (1937). Photo by Richard Goodbody.
9. “Tomimoto Kenkichi and His Enduring Legacy” at Joan Mirviss, Ltd.
Ceramicist Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886–1963) was named Japan’s first Living National Treasure for porcelain in 1955. This show presents his celebrated glaze patterning as well as a wide variety of works inspired by his style.
Location: Joan Mirviss, 39 East 78th Street, Suite 401
Price: Free
Time: Monday–Friday,11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Keiji Uematsu, Stone/Rope/Man II (1974). Courtesy of Simon Lee.
10. “Keiji Uematsu: Invisible Force” at Simon Lee Gallery
“Invisible Force” brings together playful conceptual works by Keiji Uematsu from across five decades and is the first ever solo exhibition dedicated to the Japanese artist in the United States. The show traces the evolution of the little-known artist, from his one-man performance pieces of the early 1970s through to his post-Minimal, sculptural arrangements of today.
Location: Simon Lee Gallery, 26 East 64th Street, Second Floor
Price: Free
Time: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Taylor Dafoe
Through Sunday, June 16
Tosa Mitsuoki, Murasaki Shikibu Composing The Tale of Genji [detail], 17th century. Photo: Courtesy Ishiyamadera.
The Tale of Genji, written in the 11th century by imperial lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu, is considered Japan’s most celebrated work of literature. It has inspired countless works of art over the centuries, a wide selection of which are on view here. The show includes contemporary manga as well as two works that have been designated National Treasures by the Japanese government and rare artifacts from Ishiyamadera Temple—where Shikibu is believed to have written the work—that have never left the island nation.
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, 1000 Fifth Avenue
Price: $25 general admission
Time: Sunday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
—Caroline Goldstein