The Best Art Exhibitions to See This Month

As any New Yorker will tell you, there are serious downsides to living in the concrete jungle. Sure, it's home to some of the world's best street art, but its winters are brutal enough to send even the most enduring New Yorker on a plane headed somewhere warmer—say, Miami, where Alchemist, Snarkitecture, Marina Abramovic, and Andre 3000 showcased works forArt Basel Miami Beach this December.

Sadly, not everyone can afford a spur-of-the-moment flight. Fortunately for those forced to stay in New York, several exhibitions just opened up across the city. While you'll still have to do some traveling, these shows offer a way for you to check out art while remaining indoors.

If you enjoy conceptual art, check out Claude Rutault's exhibition of paintings at Galerie Perrotin. Those who want something less abstract should head to Salon 94 Freemans, where Jessica Rankin is currently exhibiting her text-based art, an assemblage of cut-out words and phrases that form a poem and star map. There's also George Condo's "action paintings" on view at Skarstedt Gallery.

Finally, for those out in sunny California, we've included some shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco, too. Slide down to see all of the Best Art Exhibitions to See This Month.

Location: Hauser & Wirth, 511 W. 18th St., New York 10011

Dates: Nov. 10, 2014 - Jan. 17, 2015

Thomas Houseago is usually known for his larger-than-life sculptures of creatures. His latest creation MOUN ROOM, however, is a departure from his past work. Described by Houseago as “a visual maze with a spiritual dimension,” the work of art is a 37-feet by 45-feet-wide structure, composed of three chambers. Inside MOUN ROOM, the artist has cut various-sized openings, some large enough for people to walk through. For the first time ever, his viewers become active participants, encouraged to explore the immersive environment.

Location: Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, 6 Heddon St., London W1B 4BT

Dates: Nov. 22, 2014 - Jan. 7, 2015

Daniel Arsham is all about altering existing structures and creating something new out of the familiar. His Special Project, on view at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, is a perfect example. For his latest creation, Arsham has distorted the architecture of the exhibition space by physically changing the gallery's infrastructure. Instead of a room of white walls framing a work of art, Arsham's piece is bound inside one of the walls. It's up to the viewer to decide if this concealed person is trapped or hiding beneath the fabric.

Location: Gavin Brown's enterprise, 620 Greenwich St., New York 10014

Dates: Nov. 8 - Dec. 20, 2014

Swiss-born artist Urs Fischer and gallerist Gavin Brown go way back. In 2007, Fischer famously took a jackhammer to Gavin Brown's enterprise, smashing up its floor, filling it with dirt and rubble, and transforming it into a space that resembled the site of a nuclear explosion. Now he's back at the West Village gallery with an admittedly much more peaceful exhibition. Instead of decaying sculptures or any kind of representational art, his latest show consists entirely of vibrant paintings that look textured but are actually flat.

Location: Salon 94 Freemans, 1 Freeman Alley, New York 10002
Dates: Nov. 5 - Dec. 20, 2014

The stars, poetry, art, and all things wonderful come together in “Dear Another,” Jessica Rankin's ongoing show at Salon 94 Freemans. Known for her text-based art, Rankin characteristically cuts and rearranges individual words and phrases in new orders according to something she calls “guided chance.” Using words from her stream of consciousness, found texts, stories, memories, and everyday thoughts, she has pieced together both celestial maps and thought-provoking poems for viewers to ponder.

Location: Salon 94 Bowery, 243 Bowery, New York 10002

Dates: Nov. 5 - Dec. 21, 2014

The highlight of Takeshi Murata's “OM Rider” exhibition is a video, from which the show got its name. OM Rider is an 11-minute-long masterpiece that combines the artist's hand-drawn animations with computer generated images. Set in a trippy, nightmarish world (a typical attribute of Murata's productions), the video tells the tale of a moped-riding wolf, who also smokes a pipe and plays the keyboard. The other central character in this short film is a creepy-looking white-haired man who plays with a pocketknife and slices a banana throughout much of the video. While it may sound whacky and even childish, the production is not exactly the most suitable for kids. Driven by suspense, OM Rider feels more like a horror movie than a fun animation. Watch the trailer, and see for yourself.

Location: Skarstedt Gallery, 550 W. 21st St., New York 10011

Dates: Nov. 8 - Dec. 20, 2014

George Condo's most recent works consist of a bit of de Kooning and Pollock. They are a continuation of his exploration of portraiture. This time, however, he takes on Harold Rosenberg's concept of “action painting,” blending spontaneity, performance, and portrait painting to create something Condo calls “action portraits.” While working on these large-scale works, Condo was “forced to work 'inside' his paintings,” according to the press release of his latest show at Skarstedt Gallery. He never strayed too far from his canvas, as to avoid seeing the full image. This way, the art becomes more about the process than the final product.

Location: Gagosian Gallery, 976 Madison Ave., New York 10075

Dates: Nov. 8 - Dec. 20, 2014

While Andy Warhol's selfies and Maripol's snapshots of Madonna are the stuff of legends, it was Carlo Mollino who created Polaroids akin to the famous Chinese terracotta warriors and ushabtis of the Egyptian pharaohs. Mollino was an Italian artist who was skilled in architecture, furniture, automobiles, aircrafts, and photography, especially instant photography. Kept a secret and published only after his death, his portraits of female models were carefully directed; they demonstrate both feminine complexity and seduction.

Location: Mitchell-Innes & Nash, 1018 Madison Ave., New York 10075

Dates: Nov. 10 - Dec. 19, 2014

“Roy Lichtenstein: The Popular Image” perfectly encapsulates the pop art movement and Lichtenstein, who helped pioneer it. Although the world has long grown acquainted with pop art, it's interesting to go back in time and see where it all started. Lichtenstein himself turned to popular imagery and incorporated it in his works to blur the lines between “high” and “low” culture. That's why he mixed comic book aesthetics and everyday material with art historical references. This show, which is the gallery's sixth exhibition dedicated to the pop artist, features 60 works from the 1950s until the artist's death in 1997.

Location: Jonathan LeVine Gallery, 557C W. 23rd St., New York 10011
Dates: Nov. 20 - Dec. 20, 2014

Back in the late '70s, Doze Green wrote graffiti on subway trains and helped form the b-boy group Rock Steady Crew. Although he's transitioned from writing on the streets to working in the studio and completing mural commissions, his roots are evident in his most recent work. Bursting with color and energy, his paintings look like a mix of hastily scrawled graffiti letters and de Kooning's action paintings—abstract yet fluid and dynamic.

Location: StolenSpace Gallery, 17 Osborn St., London E1 6TD

Dates: Nov. 14 - Dec. 21, 2014

StolenSpace Gallery always puts on some top-notch exhibitions. In the past, it has featured the works of CYRCLE., ROA, and E.L.K., all artists who “are influenced by society's prevailing subculture,” in the words of those at the gallery. Right now, it's exhibiting the works of several noteworthy artists, including Miss Van, C215, Crystal Wagner, Cyrcle, D*Face, and Maya Hayuk, just to name a few. Don't miss out.

Location: Kohn Gallery, 1227 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles 90038
Dates: Nov. 15 - Dec. 20, 2014

In 2006, Lita Albuquerque planted 99 fiberglass spheres onto a surface of ice, arranging them as if they were points on a star map, for a project now known as Stellar Axis. Even though the large-scale work received international acclaim, it's unlikely you or anyone you know were able to see these works up close and personally. That's because Stellar Axis took place in Antarctica. Albuquerque and a team of artists and scientists went to the icy continent to create a “reverse sky,” a mirror of the South Pole's night sky on ice. Now, however, four photos of Albuquerque's groundbreaking installation is on view at Kohn Gallery so viewers will have a chance to experience her project through photography.

Location: Gladstone Gallery, 515 W. 24th St., New York 10011
Dates: Nov. 14 - Dec. 20, 2014

Ahmed Alsoudani is an Iraqi-born artist who typically depicts chaos: agonized figures situated in scenes reminiscent of Middle Eastern countries stricken by war. His newest paintings, however, move away from the aftermath of war and center on the tension leading up to the violence. Some of the themes he tackles in his vibrant paintings include psychological abuse and limits on personal freedom.

Location: The Hole NYC, 312 Bowery, New York 10012

Dates: Nov. 13 - Dec. 28, 2014

No one knows how or why human beings first began making art. Take the The Venus of Willendorf, for example. Art historians and experts have interpreted it as a religious artifact, a self-portrait, and even the earliest instance of pornography. Although many speculate, there will never be definitive answer; this was the inspiration behind “Early Man,” currently on view at The Hole NYC. The show features acclaimed artists such as Barry McGee, David Shrigley, JIM JOE, and Misaki Kawai, among many others.

Location: Jonathan LeVine Gallery, 529 W. 20th St., Suite 9E, New York 10011

Dates: Nov. 22 - Dec. 20, 2014

At first glance, Kai & Sunny's works look more like nonrepresentational, decorative designs rather than depictions of nature. Inspired by natural elements, the art duo creates highly stylized images of flora and fauna through a meticulous approach, beginning with hand-drawn sketches, later a digital process, and finally printing, which involves a custom ink that's been infused with mineral powders. Their finished products are striking, and they give off the frenzied vibe of wildlife.

Location: White Walls, 886 Geary St., San Francisco 94109

Dates: Dec. 13, 2014 - Jan. 10, 2015

As you may have gathered from the name of the show, White Walls' latest exhibition features artwork by 12 artists, all of which has been done on 12-inch by 12-inch square canvases. Touted by the San Francisco gallery as a group show that comes “just in time for the holidays,” all of the works on view will be super affordable for those who want to do some gift shopping. Featured artists include Chad Hasegawa, Alex Ziv, Carl Cashman, David Soukup, and Adam Lister, whose abstract take on The Simpsons is pictured above.

Location: Seattle Art Museum's Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle 98112

Dates: Nov. 22, 2014 - April 5, 2015

For those wanting more of the anime-inspired art found in Pharrell's “It Girl” music video, head to the Seattle Art Museum. It's currently showcasing the works of Mr., a rather mysterious Japanese artist who helped create Skateboard P's video. Mr., previously an apprentice to Takashi Murakami, has made a career off his highly stylized and video game-reminiscent depictions of ordinary Japanese girls. They're vibrantly colored, striking, and instantly appealing to anyone with a fondness for anime. At the same time, there's also something much darker at work in his seemingly happy-go-lucky, wide-eyed caricatures. In the past, Mr. has described his art as a means of living in “[his] fantasy world … instead of acting it out in real life.” Now, however, he's moved onto tensions that affect not only him but all Japanese people. Give Me Your Wings - think different, a snakelike installation made entirely of trash from Japan, takes inspiration from the detritus left behind by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

Location: 1AM Gallery, 1000 Howard St., San Francisco 94103

Dates: Dec. 5, 2014 - Jan. 2, 2015

Two Florida-based artists, Bask and Tes One, come together for “Side by Side,” showcasing their latest artwork and celebrating 20 years of friendship. Bask, originally from the Czech Republic, creates highly textural, sometimes cheeky art as a response to all of iconic imagery around him. Described by 1AM Gallery as someone with an “'anti-iconic,' sometimes satirical world view,” he “builds up the surface only to break down the image.” Tes One, on the other hand, looks for beauty in the mundane, juxtaposing gritty landscapes with vibrant illustrations.

Location: Hang-Up Gallery, 56 Stoke Newington High St., London N16 7PB
Dates: Dec. 6, 2014 - Jan. 11, 2015

Hang-Up Gallery is feeling the holiday spirit, recently opening a “Xmas Exhibition” that features a collection of new, rare, or previously unseen work by those from the Hang-Up artist roster. Good news for those who have yet to buy Christmas presents: everything in the show will cost less than 500 pounds (about 789 USD). Swing by the gallery to check out limited edition prints and original works by the likes of Mark Powell, Dave White, Lauren Baker, RUN, Shepard Fairey, and many others. Pick up an affordable gift for someone in the meantime.

Location: Lisson Gallery, 29 Bell St., London NW1 5DA

Dates: Nov. 14, 2014 - Jan. 17, 2015

Brace yourselves for Art & Language's latest show. It'll either go over your head or explode your brain. Art & Language is a group of conceptual artists that first emerged during the 1960s. Their exhibition at Lisson Gallery consists of five paintings, 17 chairs, a performance piece, and several drawings, all of which challenge our notions of art. The 17 chairs, for example, are supposed to “[suggest] an inability to communicate,” according to the show's press release. At the same time, however, “they could be conversely seen as works that can be simultaneously and fluidly described as paintings, furniture, documentation, performance props, and conceptual works of art.” In other words, the works defy categorization.

Location: Galerie Perrotin, New York, 909 Madison Ave. & 73rd St., New York 10021

Dates: Nov. 20, 2014 - Jan. 3, 2015

Claude Rutault is a painter but not the most traditional kind. He neither creates his paintings himself, nor does he oversee the process of those working on it as a conceptual artist might. Instead, Rutault simply writes the rules and instructions for making a given work of art. Called “de-finition/methods,” these instructions are then provided to a gallery, collector, or institution, who agrees to produce the work. See the final results of Rutault's “de-finition/methods” at Galerie Perrotin.