Ai Weiwei at Carolina Nitsch

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Ai Weiwei, Kui Hua Zi (Sun Flower Seeds), 2009.
Ai Weiwei, Kui Hua Zi (Sun Flower Seeds), 2009.

One thousand hand-painted, porcelain sunflower seeds made in Jingdezhen, China are on offer at Carolina Nitsch as part of a show of work (80s NYC photos and Qing Dynasty chairs) by dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.  Once a metaphor for the Chinese populace following their leadership as the sunflower follows the sun, these remnants of Weiwei’s five ton installation at Tate Modern suggest that it’s the artist who is followed so closely as his popularity continues to rise. (At Carolina Nitsch through Nov 3rd.)

Andrea Zittel at Andrea Rosen Gallery

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Andrea Zittel, A-Z Carpet Furniture: Cabin, nylon carpet, 2012.
Andrea Zittel, A-Z Carpet Furniture: Cabin, nylon carpet, 2012.

Why is one textile hung carefully on a wall for display while others are put on the floor for everyday use?  Andrea Zittel’s latest solo show, designed by her and crafted by weavers from around the country, digs into the question of why we want both beautifully designed objects with use value and objects to rever as fine art.  Zittel created this carpet to fill the floor of her yet-to-be-built 12 x 16 foot cabin. (At Andrea Rosen Gallery, Chelsea, through October 27th).

Toba Khedoori at David Zwirner Gallery

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Toba Khedoori, Untitled (mountains 2), oil on linen, 27 1/2 x 40 7/8 inches, 2011-12.
Toba Khedoori, Untitled (mountains 2), oil on linen, 27 1/2 x 40 7/8 inches, 2011-12.

Toba Khedoori is known for her monumental paintings on paper devoid of human subjects, but in her latest show at Chelsea’s David Zwirner Gallery, she makes a major shift to small-scale oils on canvas.  The size change lessens the works’ dramatic impact but a mood of still isolation remains, prompting writer Julian Bismuth to compare each new work to, “…a puzzle piece removed from its set and held up to the light.” (Through October 27th).

Tatzu Nishi at Columbus Circle with the Public Art Fund

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Tatzu Nishi, 'Discovering Columbus' installation photo, 2012.
Tatzu Nishi, ‘Discovering Columbus’ installation photo, 2012.

Ever think Christopher Columbus would invite you over to his place?  Something like that is happening on Columbus Circle, starting tomorrow, as the Public Art Fund opens Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi’s ‘Discovering Columbus.’  After climbing six flights of stairs, visitors who’ve reserved free, timed passes can lounge in a furnished living room constructed atop a scaffolding that surrounds the 13-foot tall sculpture from 1892. (Through November 18th.  Passes available at publicartfund.org.)

Julian Hoeber at Harris Lieberman Gallery

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Julian Hoeber, DH#2, 2012.
Julian Hoeber, DH#2, 2012.

LA artist Julian Hoeber’s first NY solo show features a recreation of an old roadside attraction, a ‘gravitational mystery spot’ in which the laws of gravity were altered.  Inside a plywood and metal-framed cube, the trick is a simple sloping floor and ceiling which non-the-less demonstrates how easily our perception can be tricked. (At Harris Lieberman, Chelsea through October 20th).