Walid Raad at Paula Cooper Gallery

In Walid Raad’s tongue in cheek narratives about the emergence of a booming new Arab art world, he’s hunted for refugee color and fonts that have gone into hiding and reflections that are missing; here at Paula Cooper Gallery, a wall text explains that the shadows normally cast by the artwork have run away, no longer interested in being part of the art infrastructure. The artist hopefully builds a series of walls with fake shadows to entice the real ones to return, all the while ostensibly failing to notice that the art itself is missing. (In Chelsea through March 26th).

Walid Raad, installation view of ‘Letters to the Reader,’ at Paula Cooper Gallery, March 2016.
Walid Raad, installation view of ‘Letters to the Reader,’ at Paula Cooper Gallery, March 2016.

Alfredo Jaar at Galerie Lelong

Calling it ‘the strongest expression of grief he has ever seen,’ Alfredo Jaar is showcasing an image by the late Dutch photojournalist Koen Wessing as part of his latest NY solo show. Wessing’s image depicts the reaction of two Nicaraguan women to news that their father has been killed in the revolution in 1978. Gradually, their images disappear in an increasingly bright blast of light, often used by Jaar as a metaphor for blindness. (At Galerie Lelong through March 28th).

Alfredo Jaar, Shadows, installation with LED lights, aluminum, video projection and six lightboxes with black and white transparencies, 2014.

‘Calder Shadows’ at Venus over Manhattan

Famed creator of the mobile and stabile, Alexander Calder, used light and shadow to envision scaled up versions of his sculpture.   In an inspired display technique, Upper East Side gallery Venus Over Manhattan does the same, keeping the gallery dark so that maquettes cast dramatic shadows and the pieces take a step beyond Calder.  (Through Dec 21st).  

Alexander Calder, Morning Cobweb (intermediate maquette), sheet metal, bolts and paint, 1967.