Fischli and Weiss at Houston Street with Public Art Fund

Since lifting it from the bulletin board of a Thai ceramic factory 30 years ago, Swiss artists Fischli and Weiss have reproduced this motivational list in different locations and formats over the years, most recently installing it on Houston Street in Manhattan. From the simple instruction to ‘do one thing at a time’ to the more profound challenge to ‘distinguish sense from nonsense,’ the advice encapsulates the artists’ credo to ask questions and embrace the absurd. (On Houston St at Mott Street through May 1st. For more info, see Public Art Fund or visit the artists’ retrospective at the Guggenheim.)

Fischli and Weiss, ‘How to Work Better’ installation view on Houston St at Mott St, March 2016.
Fischli and Weiss, ‘How to Work Better’ installation view on Houston St at Mott St, March 2016.

William Wegman at Sperone Westwater Gallery

A moody beach scene by Norwegian expressionist icon Edvard Munch inspires this painting by William Wegman at Sperone Westwater Gallery, which incorporates and builds on a postcard at center. Wegman both adds psychological intensity and humor to Munch’s angsty scene by making the main character a creative type alone in his Spartan room. Come see this painting and more on Saturday’s Lower East Side Gallery Tour, 1 – 3pm. (Click here for tickets. On view through April 23rd).

William Wegman, Inside Outside, oil and postcard on wood panel, 30 x 40 inches, 2014.
William Wegman, Inside Outside, oil and postcard on wood panel, 30 x 40 inches, 2014.

Anna Ostoya at Bortolami Gallery

Inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi’s famous early 17th century painting of the Biblical heroine Judith slaying the Assyrian army general Holofernes, Anna Ostoya’s quasi-cubist rendition of the scene pits Judith against herself. Now that beheadings have become current events, Ostoya asks to what extent this is self-definition and self-harm. (At Bortolami Gallery in Chelsea through April 23rd.)

Anna Ostoya, Judith Slaying Judith, 78 ½ x 62 inches, oil on canvas, 2016 and Judith, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, 2016.
Anna Ostoya, Judith Slaying Judith, 78 ½ x 62 inches, oil on canvas, 2016 and Judith, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, 2016.

Carrie Moyer at DC Moore Gallery

“It’s not about being a commodity, it’s about the pleasurable experience of looking,” explained Carrie Moyer to an interviewer recently, elaborating on how her once overtly political art practice has morphed into a subtle advocacy for enjoyment. (At DC Moore Gallery through March 26th).

Carrie Moyer, Candy Cap, acrylic, glitter and Flashe on canvas, 72 x 96 inches, 2016.
Carrie Moyer, Candy Cap, acrylic, glitter and Flashe on canvas, 72 x 96 inches, 2016.

Jeremy Deprez at Feuer/Mesler Gallery

Colorful lumps of squeezed clay, or the pattern on a checked shirt are inspiration to Houston-based artist Jeremy Deprez; here, he presents visitors to Feuer/Mesler Gallery with a five foot high bar of hotel soap. Unlike pop predecessors who supersized everything from hamburgers (Oldenberg) to soup cans (Warhol), Deprez pays painterly attention to his flecked monochrome. (On the Lower East Side through March 27th).

Jeremy Deprez, WINDEL, acrylic, modeling paste and canvas on panel, styrofoam, 65 ½ x 38 ¼ inches, 2016.
Jeremy Deprez, WINDEL, acrylic, modeling paste and canvas on panel, styrofoam, 65 ½ x 38 ¼ inches, 2016.