Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian at James Cohan Gallery

Geometric forms offered endless opportunity for experimentation in late artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian’s painted glass and mirror sculptures, meticulously created with craftspeople in Iran.  Now on view at James Cohan Gallery’s Tribeca location, pieces such as ‘Hexagon Maze’ were inspired by geometric principles in Islamic art and design, the ways in which a maze can alter everyday reality, and the possibilities of creating artwork within a framework of rules.  (On view through March 6th. Masks and social distancing are required).

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Hexagon Maze, Mirror and reverse glass painting on plaster and wood, 47 1/4 x 47 1/4 in, 2014.

Jeppe Hein at 303 Gallery

Though Berlin-based Danish artist Jeppe Hein has installed his trademark polished stainless steel panels in large outdoor spaces (notably at Brooklyn Bridge Park in 2015), 303 Gallery’s tiny back space seems uniquely suited to host an intense experience of reality for visitors who see themselves and Hein’s striped paintings cut together in thin strips.  Hein has explained that his stripe paintings represent breathing in and out which sounds meditative, but in this installation is geared to quicken the senses.  (On view in Chelsea through Oct 19th).

Jeppe Hein, Intersecting Circles, high polished stainless steel, 87 3/8 x 85 x 70 inches, 2019.

Ellen Harvey at Danese Corey

Did you capture the perfect eclipse picture as the moon passed in front of the sun in parts of the U.S. last August? For the many whose cameras let them down, Ellen Harvey’s sculpture – a hand-engraved on rear-lit Plexiglas mirror rendition of an iPhone – not only yields a picture of the pivotal moment but also recalls the frustrated efforts of unprepared cell phone photographers last summer. (On view at Danese Corey Gallery in Chelsea through Dec 23rd).

Ellen Harvey, iPhone Eclipse, laser and hand-engraved rear-lit Plexiglas mirror, 6.125 x 3 x .625 inches, 2017.

Robert Longo in ‘A New Ballardian Vision’ at Metro Pictures

From huge charcoal drawings to weighty bronzes, Robert Longo has returned to images of the U.S. flag throughout his career in an on-going exploration of power and politics. Here, the mirrored surface of this flag makes viewers part of an object and a symbol.   (At Metro Pictures Gallery in Chelsea through August 4th).

Robert Longo, Untitled (Mirror Flag), silver oxide, clear coated aluminum bonded polyester resin, 42 x 56 x 14 inches, 2015.

Olafur Eliasson at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

Olafur Eliasson introduces his latest exhibition at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery as political commentary with ‘The listening dimension,’ an installation of mirrored surfaces that invite personal reflection on the complexities of life. By creating an environment that gives viewers pause to consider an unusual space, Eliasson hopes to combat ‘oversimplification’ in the political realm and beyond. (In Chelsea through April 22nd).

Olafur Eliasson, installation view of ‘The listening dimension’ at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, March 2017.