Using a restricted palette dominated by primary colors, champion of non-academic art Jean Dubuffet expressed the whirl of urban life in this 1982 work on paper now on view at Timothy Taylor Gallery. Six anonymous figures are wide-eyed and grinning but their abstract context resists interpretation, conveying only that they’re navigating their immediate surroundings in the moment. (On view in Chelsea through July 30th. Masks and social distancing required.)
Drawn to art made outside of the gallery system, the iconic late artist Jean Dubuffet pursued his own non-academic style in abstract installations meant to bring to mind scenes of busy urban life. Chelsea’s Pace Gallery explains that ‘Le Cirque,’ a 13’ high sculpture from 1970 currently installed on 25th Street, recreated the ‘visual frenzy of an urban plaza.’ In an accompanying letter from the artist to his dealer, Pace founder Arne Glimcher, Dubuffet points to ancient sources of inspiration for this towering, encompassing sculpture, including stones placed at crossroads or assembled for commemoration. (On view through Oct 24th. Appointments, masks and social distancing are required.)
