Exhibitions at Contemporary Art galleries that champion dynamic new work by artists, whether emerging or established, never disappoint—the galleries we are visiting this week in New York City and Istanbul are perfect examples of why this is true. Viewers will find that the artwork in these exhibitions challenge vivid realities and visual boundaries.

Justin Bower: Panic Room will be on view on October 24 at 532 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10011.

Justin Bower, Internal Dialectic, 2013, oil on canvas, Unix Gallery, New York, NY

Unix Gallery, a Contemporary Art gallery that recently opened a New York City location earlier this year, invites viewers to look at a selection of recently completed large-scale paintings by artist Justin Bower (American). Bower’s enigmatic idol faces convey the complex realities of technology and the blurred lines of the virtual world. His magnified subjects are painted with erratic and inflated features that seem to drift between dimensions. The artist, who has an academic background in both Fine Art and philosophy, imbues his paintings with visual effects that delve into illusion, facades, and the inconsistency of man-made codes.

Karin Kneffel will be on view on October 24 at Abdi Ipekçi Caddesi No: 7/4 Nisantasi 34367, Istanbul, Turkey.

Karin Kneffel, Untitled, 2013, oil on canvas, Dirimart, Istanbul, Turkey

At her first exhibition in Turkey, artist Karin Kneffel (German, b.1967) will present a series of paintings that showcase her ability to render the effects of finger-drawn words on frosted windows. Kneffel, who studied under Gerhard Richter (German, b.1932), takes mundane subjects and experiments with the visual impressions of light and shadows, as well as with overlooked spatial relationships. In her latest endeavor, the role of the viewer-as-spectator is employed to highlight the palpable qualities of each composition. Present in many of the works is a quote by Bauhaus pioneer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (German, 1886–1969) that reads, “I need a wall behind me” in either English or Turkish, which further emphasizes the existence of a world or space beyond the confines of the canvas.

Browse openings by city to see where art can be found in your town!

Lugano, Switzerland
MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO ‘The Mirror of Enigmas‘ at De Primi Fine Art SA
October 24, 2013
Piazza Cioccaro 2 6900 Lugano, Switzerland

London, UK
YE HONGXING at Scream at Scream
October 24–December 7, 2013
27-28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DH UK

New York, NY
Jennifer Williams: The Highline Effect at Robert Mann Gallery
October 24–December 7, 2013
525 W. 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

Jay Heikes: Walkabout at Marianne Boesky Gallery
October 24–November 30, 2013
509 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10011

Gregory Amenoff: New Paintings at Alexandre Gallery
October 24–November 23, 2013
41 E. 57th Street, New York, NY 10022

Emi Anrakuji: O Mapa at MIYAKO YOSHINAGA
October 24–November 23, 2013
547 W. 27th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001

Antonio Murado: Terras at Von Lintel Gallery
October 24–December 7, 2013
520 W. 23rd Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10011

Paris, France
PARIS: PETER ROGIERS: Ectoplasmic at Galerie Richard
October 24–December 21, 2013
3, impasse Saint-Claude, 75003 Paris, France

David Claerbout ‘Interfuit’ at Yvon Lambert
October 24–November 22, 2013
108, rue Vielle du Temple, 75003 Paris, France

Abraham Cruzvillegas at Galerie Chantal Crousel
October 24–November 23, 2013
10, rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

Todd&Fitch at Galerie Agnès Monplaisir
October 24–November 30, 2013
8 bis, rue Jacques Callot, 75006 Paris, France

San Francisco, CA
Water at Rena Bransten Gallery
October 24–December 14, 2013
77 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94108