Each week, we search New York City for the most exciting and thought-provoking shows, screenings, and events. See them below.
Monday, March 4
Christen Clifford, INTERIORS: We Are All Pink Inside, one of the works in “CURRICULUM: Spaces of Learning and Unlearning” at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. Photo courtesy of Christen Clifford.
1. Cocktail Party at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts
The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts is hosting a cocktail party to kick off Armory Week with the opportunity to catch its current group shows “American Psyche” (through April 15) and “Curriculum: Spaces of Learning and Unlearning” (through March 16). The latter includes Christen Clifford’s Interiors: We Are All Pink Inside, a walk-in installation featuring projections of surprisingly pretty video filmed inside her subjects’ rectums.
Location: Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, 323 West 39th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, 3rd Floor
Price: Free
Time: 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Tuesday, March 5
Max Colby, Coronation (2018). Photo courtesy of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art.
2. “Queer Artist Fellowship Presentations” at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
The 2018–2019 queer artist fellows at the Leslie-Lohman will make short presentations about their work. A reception will follow, allowing guests and artists Michael Childress, Max Colby, Kristine Eudey, Carrie Hawks, Salvador Munoz, Christopher Nuñez, Seyi Odebanjo, Gwen Shockey, Caitlin Rose Sweet, Boris Torres, and Kiyan Williams, to converse informally over light refreshments.
Location: Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, 26 Wooster Street
Price: Free
Time: 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Tuesday, March 5–Wednesday, April 20
Antony Cairns, NYC03 (2013). © Antony Cairns. Courtesy of Roman Road and the artist.
3. “Expired” at Sara Kay Gallery
Organized by Maya Benton, a longtime curator at the International Center of Photography, “Expired” brings together five artists who traffic in the afterlife of photographic technology, from long-expired film to images frozen on archaic digital screens.
Location: Sara Kay Gallery, 4 East 2nd Street
Price: Free
Time: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
—Taylor Dafoe
Tuesday, March 5–Wednesday, July 31
A rendering of one of Joseph La Piana’s “Tension Sculptures.” Image courtesy of Joseph La Piana.
4. “Joseph La Piana: Tension Sculptures” on the Park Avenue Malls
Joseph La Piana had a solo show last spring at New York’s Sara Kay Gallery of his stretched latex band sculptures, which maintain their shape only under constant pressure. Now, he’s taking that work outside, stretching durable synthetic rubber between stainless steel armatures on Park Avenue, the largest of which is 22 feet long and 16 feet high.
Location: Park Avenue between East 53rd and 70th Streets
Price: Free
Time: On view 24/7
—Sarah Cascone
Wednesday, March 6
A past performance at the Museum of Modern Art Armory Party. Photo by Austin Donohue courtesy of MoMA.
5. Armory Show Party at the Museum of Modern Art
Armory Week’s biggest party is always at MoMA. This year’s edition features Anna of the North performing live, a DJ set by Heron Preston, and, of course, the chance to explore the museum after dark. Tickets also come with an open bar and access to the 25th anniversary edition of the party’s namesake art fair.
Location: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street
Price: General admission $150
Time: VIP hour 8 p.m.–9 p.m.; 9 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Wednesday, March 6–Sunday, April 14
“Fire” at Baby Company. Photo courtesy of Baby Company.
6. “Fire” at Baby Company
Photographer Ryan McNamara has curated this group exhibition inspired by Fire Island and his first visit to the Long Island summer getaway, which is particularly popular among gay men. “Every time I enter a new room I scan for other queers,” he writes in a curatorial statement of the deeply personal exhibition. “I didn’t know I did this until I didn’t have to, when I arrived in a place where ‘queer’ and its variants was the baseline.” Featured artists include Raul de Nieves, Nicole Eisenman, K8 Hardy, Devan Shimoyama, and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Location: Baby Company, 73 Wooster Street
Price: Free
Time: Opening reception, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
—Nan Stewert
The Gay Liberation Front marching on Times Square in 1970. Photo by Diana Davies/New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives.
7. “Art Talks, Stonewall 50 – Love and Resistance: Photographs from the Stonewall Era” at the New York Public Library
As part of the programming for the New York Public Library’s current exhibition, “Love and Resistance: Stonewall 50” (on view through July 14), artist Nayland Blake leads a discussion on the work of photojournalists Kay Tobin Lahusen and Diana Davies, who documented the movement for LGBTQ rights, including the historic Stonewall riots.
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Celeste Auditorium, 476 5th Avenue
Price: Free
Time: 6:30 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Wednesday March 6–Saturday, March 16
Bentley Meeker, Untitled (2019). Photo courtesy of Garvey|Simon.
8. “Bentley Meeker: Exploring Light” at Hudson Yards
Garvey|Simon has taken over a gallery space in Hudson Yards to present a new series of illuminated, sculptural works by Bentley Meeker during Armory Week. For the occasion, the artist, who also works as a commercial lighting designer, has created 40 glowing installations that invite careful contemplation.
Location: Hudson Yards, 517 West 37th Street
Price: Free
Time: Opening reception, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Thursday, March 7
Invitation image for Nina Katchadourian’s On-Hold Music Dance Party. Image courtesy of Fridman Gallery.
9. “Nina Katchadourian: On-Hold Music Dance Party” at Fridman Gallery
As part of NADA’s inaugural New York Gallery Open program, artist Nina Katchadourian cues up the most avant-garde DJ set you may hear in 2019. Armed with multiple years’ worth of on-hold music recorded during actual phone calls, as well as the sampling and mixing expertise of Julie Covello (AKA DJ Shakey) and Gabriel Willow (AKA DJ Stylus), Katchadourian knits this run-of-the-mill “phone matter” into an after-dark sonic experience that actually slaps.
Location: Fridman Gallery, 169 Bowery
Price: Free
Time: 9:30 p.m.–11 p.m.
—Tim Schneider
Aleksandra Stone, Sunflowers & Pears (2015). Photo courtesy of Pen + Brush.
10. “Furies, Fairies, Visionaries: Artist Walk and Brooklyn Rail March Issue Launch” at Pen + Brush
The women artist-focused nonprofit Pen + Brush is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the group show “Furies, Fairies, Visionaries” (through March 20). Thursday evening, artists Nancy Baker, Zoë Buckman, E.V. Day, Rachel Lee Hovnanian, Katja Loher, Paola Martínez Fiterre, and Aleksandra Stone will be on hand to host a walk-through of the exhibition. The night, which doubles as release party for the Brooklyn Rail’s new Women’s History Month issue, will also include a live performance by all-female pop rock band BETTY and beer courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery.
Location: Pen + Brush, 29 East 22nd Street
Price: Free
Time: 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Feminist Prop-making Workshop. Photo courtesy of the 8th Floor.
11. “Feminist Prop-making Workshop” at the 8th Floor
The 8th Floor gears up for International Women’s Day March on March 8 with a poster-making event led by artist Nikolay Oleynikov, a member of the collective Chto Delat. You’re encouraged to bring your own materials, but local activists, artists, and organizers, including members of the NYC Light Brigade and the campus coordinating committee of the International Women’s Strike, will be on hand to provide inspiration.
Location: The 8th Floor, 17 West Street
Price: Free with RSVP
Time: 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Arlene Shechet with her work Forward in “Full Steam Ahead” at Madison Square Park. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
12. Art Talk and Reception With Arlene Shechet at the Kohler Experience Center
For her first public art show, “Arlene Shechet: Full Steam Ahead” in New York’s Madison Square Park (through April 28), Arlene Shechet created work during an artist residency at the Kohler toilet factory. She’ll talk about that unusual experience at Kohler’s New York Experience Center.
Location: Kohler Experience Center, 6 West 22nd Street
Price: Free with RSVP, space limited
Time: 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
50 Contemporary Women Artists: Groundbreaking Contemporary Art from 1960 to Now, by John Gosslee and Heather Zises. Image courtesy of Schiffer Publishing.
13. Heather Zises on 50 Contemporary Women Artists at Montclair Art Museum
Heather Zises will talk about her new book, 50 Contemporary Women Artists: Groundbreaking Contemporary Art from 1960 to Now, as part of a special Women’s History Month program at this month’s Free First Thursday at the Montclair Art Museum. She’ll be joined by Stephanie Hirsch and Vadis Turner, two of the artists featured in the publication.
Location: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey
Price: Free
Time: 7 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Thursday, March 7–Sunday, April 7
Portia Munson, Reflecting Pool (2013). Photo courtesy of Portia Munson.
14. “2019 Invitational Exhibition of Visual Arts” at the American Academy of Arts and Letters
From more than 130 artists nominated by members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an honorary society of architects, artists, composers, and writers, 32 artists have been chosen to present work in this group show, including Alexi Worth, Stephen Westfall, Judith Bernstein, Portia Munson, and John Outterbridge.
Location: The American Academy of Arts and Letters, 633 West 155th Street, entrance on Audubon Terrace at Broadway between West 155th and 156th Streets
Price: Free
Time: Thursday–Sunday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Friday, March 8
Louisa Chase, Untitled (1988). Courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum, gift of Theodore and Ruth Baum.
15. “Talk: Artist to Artist by Mel Kendrick and Mary Heilmann on Louisa Chase” at the Parrish Art Museum
The Parrish’s current exhibition “The Permanent Collection: Every Picture Tells a Story,” on view through October 3, features 18 works by Louisa Chase (1951–2016), a rising star of the 1970s whose career was ultimately sabotaged by her own addiction and mental illness. Artists Mel Kendrick and Mary Heilmann will discuss her life and career.
Location: The Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
Price: $12
Time: 6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Friday March 8–Sunday, April 7
Tawny Chatmon, The Redemption/Born on the Second Day of December (2019). Photo courtesy of Dagmar van Weeghel.
16. “King Woman” at Urban Zen
Mashonda Tifrere has curated a new iteration of her feminist art show “King Woman,” on view last year at Pen + Brush and organized through her female artist advocacy nonprofit ArtLeadHer. Fashion designer Donna Karan is hosting the exhibition, which features work by emerging and mid-career artists including Swoon, Bisa Butler, and Delphine Diallo. The show’s title looks to defy expected gender roles, where women are praised as “goddess” or “queen,” but never allowed to aspire to kingliness. The opening reception on Friday is the perfect way to mark International Women’s Day.
Location: Urban Zen, 705 Greenwich Street
Price: Free
Time: Opening reception, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.; Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Friday, March 8–Sunday, June 9
GUN, Event to Change the Image of Snow. Courtesy of the Japan Society.
17. “Radicalism in the Wilderness: Japanese Artists in the Global 1960s” at the Japan Society
Japanese art of the 1950s is well-known for the Gutai movement, and the ’70s saw the rise of Mono-ha. But what of the 1960s? Curator Reiko Tomii revisits this lesser-known period of Japanese art history with this exhibition featuring the radical work of Matsuzawa Yutaka and art collectives the Play and GUN (Group Ultra Niigata). The opening weekend will include the first public talk in the US featuring GUN founding members Horikawa Michio and Tadashi Maeyama, held Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. ($15).
Location: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
Price: General admission, $12
Time: Tuesday–Thursday,12 p.m.–7 p.m.; Friday, 12 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Through Friday, March 8
Kathy Ruttenberg, In Sync Maquette. Photo courtesy of Francis M. Naumann Fine Art.
18. “Kathy Ruttenberg: Private Myths/Public Dreams” at Francis M. Naumann Fine Art, LLC
Kathy Ruttenberg’s fantastical sculptures feature delightful anthropomorphized creatures that seem to have sprung to life from the pages of an as-yet-untold fairy tale. Her current exhibition at Francis M. Naumann features new work as well as preparatory sketches and maquettes from her large-scale public sculptures, on view along Broadway between West 64th and 157th Streets in “Kathy Ruttenberg on Broadway: in dreams awake.”
Location: Francis M. Naumann Fine Art, 24 West 57th Street
Price: Free
Time: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone
Saturday, March 9–Monday, May 27
Leeroy New’s “Aliens of Manila: New York Colony” will by on view at Pintô International. Photo courtesy of Pintô International.
19. “Aliens of Manila: New York Colony” at Pintô International
In 2016, the Pintô Art Museum was an unexpected entry on the year’s list of the world’s 25 most-Instagrammed museums. Now, the museum is bringing some of that photo-ready magic to New York with a new space hosting quarterly exhibitions, starting with a site-specific installation from artist and designer Leeroy New. He’s crafting the psychedelic sculpture from unconventional materials sourced from recycling centers and dollar stores near the museum’s East Village loft space.
Location: Pintô International, 431 East 12th Street, #5B
Price: Free with RSVP
Time: Opening reception, 7 p.m.–10 p.m.; weekdays by appointment; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone