Those who live in New York City know that there's no shortage of cultural events to attend. The month of May brings beautiful weather with it, and the sunshine motivates a lot of people to get out and try new things. One of those new things should be experiencing art in and out of the gallery or museum setting. Here are 15 Must-See May 2013 Art Exhibitions in NYC that can guide you throughout your month's adventures.
RELATED: 20 Must-See Art Events in April 2013
RELATED: 15 Must-See Art Exhibitions in 2013
RELATED: Green Label - 10 Art Exhibits You Should See in June
Those who live in New York City know that there's no shortage of cultural events to attend. The month of May brings beautiful weather with it, and the sunshine motivates a lot of people to get out and try new things. One of those new things should be experiencing art in and out of the gallery or museum setting. Here are 15 Must-See May 2013 Art Exhibitions in NYC that can guide you throughout your month's adventures.
RELATED: 20 Must-See Art Events in April 2013
RELATED: 15 Must-See Art Exhibitions in 2013
RELATED: Green Label - 10 Art Exhibits You Should See in June
Red, Yellow, and Blue
Red, Yellow, and Blue
Location: Madison Square Park, New York
Dates: May 2 - September 8, 2013
A new outdoor installation commissioned by the Madison Square Park Conservancy features extensive sculptures by New York-based artist, Orly Genger. The undulating figures are created from the artist's trademark use of hand-knotted nautical rope, painted in "Red, Yellow, and Blue" to highlight the lawn spaces in the park. The entire display is made from 1.4 million feet of rope and 3,000 gallons of paint.
Above: Installation view of Orly Genger's "Red, Yellow, and Blue" (2013) in Madison Square Park. Photo by James Ewing / Courtesy of Madison Square Park Conservancy.
A Different Kind of Order: The ICP Triennial
A Different Kind of Order: The ICP Triennial
Location: 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York
Dates: May 17 - September 8, 2013
The International Center of Photography launches its 2013 triennial with a series of contemporary works that express the present state of political, economic, and social instability. The multimedia exhibition will feature works in photography, film, video, and interactive platforms, which address issues of the growing relevance of digital and networking technologies.
First Image: Sam Falls, "Untitled (House, Red and Yellow, Joshua Tree, CA)," 2012
Second Image: Mishka Henner, "Unknown Site, Noordwijk aan Zee, South Holland," 2011
Endless Bummer II / Still Bummin'
Endless Bummer II / Still Bummin'
Location: 545 West 25th Street, New York
Dates: May 11 - June 29, 2013
Marlborough Chelsea presents a group exhibition curated by Drew Heitzler and Jan Tumlir, based around the theme of inherent vice. Broadening the scope of the concept, the selected works express the intrinsic quality of art that always carries the possibility of decline and ruin. By showcasing the ephemeral aspects of creative works, the exhibition allows viewers to appreciate and recognize the "now" in art.
First Image: Kotting, "Untitled (after Courbet) #3," 2012
Second Image: Ajemian, "Laundered Painting 50 x 17," 2012
The Lost Album
The Lost Album
Location: 980 Madison Avenue, New York
Dates: May 7 - June 22, 2013
Gagosian Gallery presents a series of images by Dennis Hopper, which have not been displayed in the U.S. since 1970. The filmmaker, actor, and artist produced the set of black and white photographs from 1961 to 1967, featuring celebrated subjects including Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Jane Fonda, John Wayne, James Brown, and The Byrds, in intimately casual settings. Hopper's documentation also includes scenes from the Civil Rights Movement, hippie gatherings, and the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
Above: Dennis Hopper, "Irving Blum and Peggy Moffitt," 1964
EXPO 1: New York
EXPO 1: New York
Location: MoMA PS1: 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City; VW Dome 2: Rockaway Beach between Beach 94th and Beach 95th Street, Queens
Dates: May 12 - September 2, 2013
MoMA PS1 presents a series of projects and exhibitions that investigate issues presented by climate change within a context of socio-political and economic instability. The present state is expressed in artworks and also through technical efforts such as sustainable renovations for the MoMA PS1 building. As a response to the disastrous effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Rockaway Peninsula, with the support of Volkswagen, the VW Dome 2 was built as a temporary space for culture and education. Selections of open call proposals for planning waterfront construction will be displayed and evaluated at the site, as urban planners and designers continue to work to find ways to live with "dark optimism" in a century of ecological, economic, and political unrest.
Above: VW Dome 2, Photos by Charles Roussel & Carolina Sandretto
Comic Books, Inverted Stamps, Paranoid Literature
Comic Books, Inverted Stamps, Paranoid Literature
Location: 545 West 25th Street, New York
Dates: May 11 - June 29, 2013
Marlborough Chelsea presents works by Drew Heitzler, including 37 works on paper and a 16mm film featuring Gumby, which explores elements of the Hollywood industry. Using replicated images of rare comic book covers, stamps, and other delicately antique images from publications, Heitzler reassesses their value by exposing them to sprays of water. The modified covers are given new meaning and character that make them truly unique, while in their original states they would have been considered damaged and destroyed.
Above: Drew Heitzler
IDEAS CITY
"Change of State" at IDEAS CITY
Location: 235 Bowery, New York
Date: May 4, 2013
This year's IDEAS CITY festival (it began on May 1 and ends tomorrow) is built around the theme of "Untapped Capital," exploring the unsung resources available in cities for creating art and culture. The collaborative biennial features conferences, workshops, and a StreetFest around the Bowery near the New Museum, the original founder of the event. Key happenings include "Change of State," a public outdoor projection onto the museum building's facade featuring works of animation, painting, and video by various artists. The display is a follow-up to a previous projection project by NBNY in 2011 and will be begin at 8pm on May 4 to last until midnight.
First Image: Diller Scofido + Renfro, Krysztof Wodiczko, E Roon Kang & Ahrong Han, "Change of State," 2011
Second Image: Jimenez Lai and Grayson Cox, "The Speechbuster"
Jack Goldstein X 10,000
Jack Goldstein X 10,000
Location: 1109 5th Avenue, New York
Dates: May 10 - September 29, 2013
The Jewish Museum presents the first American retrospective of Canadian-born artist Jack Goldstein, highlighting the artist's role and impact on the Pictures Generation of the 1970s and '80s. Displaying various works in paintings and films, including Goldstein's interpretation of the MGM lion against a red backdrop, the show is an expression of the various visual elements of pop culture that constructed the language of the era's artists.
First Image: Jack Goldstein, "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer," 1975
Second Image: Jack Goldstein, "Some Butterflies," 1975
PUNK: Chaos to Couture
PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Location: 1000 5th Avenue, New York
Dates: May 9 - August 14, 2013
The spring 2013 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art will address the influences of punk on high fashion since its emergence in the 1970s. Showing both the "do-it-yourself" and "made-to-measure" aspects of punk fashion, the display includes multimedia installations that appropriately place key designs for men and women within a context of audio and music videos.
First Image: Karl Lagerfeld for House of Chanel, 2011
Second Image: Sid Vicious, 1977
Nobuyoshi Araki
Nobuyoshi Araki
Location: 888 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
Dates: May 4 - August 16, 2013
Mana Contemporary will display over 100 works by the prominent, controversial Japanese photographer, Nobuyoshi Araki, making this his largest show in the United States to date. The show presents clashing themes seen in Tokyo's society such as love, sex, industry, nature, chaos, and emptiness, through a series of provocative but relevant shots. Araki's subjects include women participating in Kinbaku, a form of Japanese erotic bondage through ropes.
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Above: Nobuyoshi Araki, from "Araki"
Life Cast
Life Cast
Location: 32 East 69th Street, New York
Dates: May 10 - July 26, 2013
A series of sculptural works by Paul McCarthy will be showcased at a new exhibition at Hauser & Wirth. Presenting silicone, life-sized replicas of the artist himself and "That Girl" Elyse Poppers, the show will introduce the artist's idea of life in lifeless figures.
First Image: Paul McCarthy, "Horizontal," 2013
Second Image: Paul McCarthy, "T.G. Elyse (stills)," 2011
New Paintings and Sculpture
New Paintings and Sculpture
Location: 555 West 24th Street, New York
Dates: May 9 - June 29, 2013
Gagosian New York presents a solo show by Jeff Koons following recent exhibitions of his in London and Los Angeles. Displaying paintings and sculptures that draw inspiration from a variety of cultural artifacts, including children's art and those from antiquity, the collection of works reflects Koons' combination and assessment of themes from throughout history. Many of the artist's iconic animal balloon-themed sculptures will be shown, including interpretations of the Venus of Willendorf.
Above: Jeff Koons, "Balloon Venus (Magenta)," 2008
Contemporary Dancing at NADA New York
Contemporary Dancing
Location: 299 South Street, New York
Dates: May 10 - 12, 2013
New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) presents a series of contemporary dance performances for the second edition of NADA NYC, taking place at Pier 36's Basketball City on the East River. Organizers Sam Gordon and Cafe Dancer have started a Kickstarter campaign collecting money for the dancers, who are currently only being compensated with exposure to a larger audience. Cafe Dancer was founded by a group of dancers and musicians, many of whom work within the art world.
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Frieze Art Fair New York
Frieze Art Fair New York
Location: Randall's Island Park, New York
Dates: May 10 - 13, 2013
Frieze New York gathers over 180 contemporary art galleries and a range of 1,000 emerging and leading artists from around the world to an art fair featuring commissioned projects, panel discussions, lectures, and exhibitions. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase works on display by new and established artists, while an international collective of galleries makes a wide range of works available. The outdoor event will take place on the East River's waterfront and includes a free Sculpture Park that's open to the public.
First Image: Birgit Brenner, "Fliegen"
Second Image: Mircea Cantor, "Watermelon on snow"
from Neue Welt
from Neue Welt
Location: 525 West 24th Street, New York
Dates: May 4 - June 22, 2013
Wolfgang Tillman will be having his 11th solo exhibition at Andrea Rosen Gallery. Selected works from his 2012 Taschen publication Neue Welt, as well as those from his newest book FESPA Digital / FRUIT LOGISTICA, will be displayed, showcasing new images presented in never-before-seen sizes and techniques.
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Above: Wolfgang Tillmans, "Kilimanjaro II," 2012
