Felix Gonzalez-Torres at David Zwirner Gallery

Long strands of clear and white plastic beads by late artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres are an austere version of the usually colorful plastic beading hung in homes. Here in the huge, Spartan spaces of David Zwirner Gallery (which marks joint representation of the artist with Andrea Rosen Gallery with this show), the curtain has the sobering effect intended, heightening our awareness of passing from one state to another. (On 20th Street in Chelsea through June 24th).

Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (Chemo), strands of beads and hanging device, dimensions vary with installation, 1991. Glenstone Museum, Potomac, Maryland.

Elliott Hundley at Andrea Rosen Gallery

A woman calmly looks out from a storm of activity in this detail from a new collage by Elliott Hundley at Andrea Rosen Gallery, suggesting that she is uniquely adapted to life in an environment of overload.   Countless masks, eyes and assorted circular shapes – from lotus slices to flowers – are equal parts portal to another world and big brother. (In Chelsea through March 11th).

Elliott Hundley, (detail of )Until the end, paper, oil, pins, glass, lotus, plastic, foam and linen over panel, 96 ½ x 80 ¼ x 8 ½ inches, 2017.

Jose Lerma at Andrea Rosen Gallery

Based on an 18th century print of Paris society at a Salon exhibition, Chicago-based Jose Lerma’s huge painting (seen here in detail), features a sardine-packed assortment of onlookers whose doubled features suggests a jittery, half-mad art audience. (At Chelsea’s Andrea Rosen Gallery through June 14th).

Jose Lerma, Parterre, acrylic on canvas, 108 x 192 inches, 2013-14.

Michael St. John at Andrea Rosen Gallery II

Having moved from New York City to Massachusetts, Michael St John titles the paintings in his latest solo show at Andrea Rosen Gallery ‘Country Life.’  The resulting images, which employ collage and trompe l’oeil, are cheeky ruminations on what the differences between city and country life may be. (Through October 5th).  

Michael St.  John, ‘Country Life,’ acrylic, collage/assemblage, polymers, 2013.

Olivier Mosset, Jacob Kassay & Lawrence Weiner at Andrea Rosen Gallery

Veteran minimalist Olivier Mosset’s arresting yellow wall, up-and-comer Jacob Kassay’s geometric shape created from leftover canvas scraps, and conceptual pioneer Lawrence Weiner’s artwork consisting of an instruction to remove a 36” x 36” square from the drywall offer three strategies for saying a lot with a little.  The three converse amongst themselves at Andrea Rosen’s intimate new 544 W. 24th St location. (Through March 23rd).  

Jacob Kassy, Olivier Mosset, Lawrence Weiner, Installation view at Andrea Rosen Gallery, March, 2013.