Sarah Charlesworth at the New Museum

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For her last series, late Pictures Generation photographer Sarah Charlesworth used available light coming from her studio window to illuminate carefully chosen objects. Here, a glass holding a sphere has the meticulous quality of product photography, but it sells nothing, instead it turns everyday objects into something serenely magical. (At the New Museum through Sept 20th).

Sarah Charlesworth, Carnival Ball, from the ‘Available Light’ series, Fuji Crystal Archive prints with lacquered wood frames, 2012.

Amilcar de Castro in ‘Empty House/Casa Vazia’ at Luhring Augustine Gallery

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Like sketchbook pages mounted to the wall, Brazilian Neoconcretist sculptor Amilcar de Castro’s model-like Corten steel sculptures resemble drawings for future pieces as well as typography, recalling the artist’s graphic design background. (At Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery through Aug 28th).

Amilcar de Castro, Untitled, 140 sculptures of Corten steel, 9 inches – approx. size, c. 1990. (background) Paulo Monteiro, Untitled, bronze, 28 11/16 x 35 3/8 x 35 3/8 inches, bronze.

Santiago Calatrava on the Park Avenue Malls

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Seven striking new aluminum sculptures by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava are a bold contrast in color and form to the buildings lining Park Ave (even elegant Lever House in the background). They’re reminiscent of Calatrava’s evolving transportation hub downtown, designed in a similarly organic form to suggest the wings and flight of a bird. (On view on the Park Avenue Mall between 52nd and 55th Streets through early November.)

Santiago Calatrava, S4, painted plate aluminum, 2015.

Agnes Denes at Socrates Sculpture Park

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With its view of Manhattan just across the East River, Long Island City’s tranquil Socrates Sculpture Park plays perfect host to Agnes Denes’ ‘Living Pyramid.’ Created from wood and soil, flowers and grasses in the form of some of the world’s earliest monumental architecture, it’s a provocative foil to the city’s skyscrapers. (Though August 30th).

Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid, flowers, grasses, soil, wood, paint, 30 x 30 x 30 feet, 2015.

Jacob Aue Sobol at Yossi Milo Gallery

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Gritty doesn’t begin to describe Danish artist Jacob Aue Sobol’s photographs taken along the Trans-Siberian Railway, now on view at Yossi Milo Gallery in Chelsea. This man’s face and the wall behind him are marked with use; the alarmed person in the line drawing begs the question of the man’s psychological state. (Through Aug 28th).

Jacob Aue Sobol, from the series Arrivals and Departures, Untitled #16, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches, 2012.