Olafur Eliasson in ‘The Return of the Real’ at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

by Merrily KerrDon't Miss, Features & Commissions, Hottest ShowPosted on Comments are Disabled

Changing light and the effect of light on architecture are two recurring themes in Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson’s work and in his new sculpture ‘Return of the Arctic light sphere,’ on view in its own gallery at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in Chelsea.  A strong LED light inside the sphere passes through blue glass and Fresnel glass, a material once used in lighthouses to increase the intensity of light.  Walk around the suspended sphere and the shadows change constantly, creating mesmerizing effects and giving viewers pause to consider the complexities of the sculpture’s geometry.  (On view Tues – Fri by appointment through August 28th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Olafur Eliasson, Return of the Arctic light sphere, stainless steel, colored glass (shades of blue), Fresnel glass, mirror, aluminum, paint (black), LED system, wire, 55 1/8 x 55 1/8 x 55 1/8 inches, 2020.

Grace Weaver at James Cohan Gallery

by Merrily KerrDon't Miss, Features & Commissions, Hottest ShowPosted on Comments are Disabled

New York painter Grace Weaver describes the sidewalk as a stage in a new body of paintings at James Cohan Gallery that showcases young people in awkward situations.  Falling down stairs, exchanging glances or crashing into each other on the street, Weaver’s characters self-consciously deal with what life serves up.  Here, Weaver humorously recreates a romantic meeting scene as two individuals round a corner and crash into each other.  Their immediate intimacy suggests that we know where this story is headed.  (On view Tues – Fri at James Cohan Gallery’s locations on the Lower East Side and in Tribeca by appointment through Sept 12th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Grace Weaver, Confrontation, oil on canvas, 71 x 69 inches, 2020.

Matt Johnson in ‘Alien Landscape’ at 303 Gallery

by Merrily KerrDon't Miss, Features & Commissions, Hottest ShowPosted on Comments are Disabled

Humor and wonder meet in Matt Johnson’s sculptures, which appear to fantastically adapt unlikely materials.  Whether it’s a t-shirt rising up of its own accord with no wearer or a garden hose twisting in the air, Johnson’s bronze and metal creations initially fool the eye, then entertain.  A standout in 303 Gallery’s summer group show ‘Alien Landscape,’ this cast bronze alien cactus is a new take on space invasion.  (On view by appointment, Tues – Fri, through August 20th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Matt Johnson, Alien Cactus, Cast bronze with oil paint, 18 1/2 x 12 x 5 3/4 inches, 2015.

Han Qin in ‘Blue’ at the Nassau County Museum of Art

by Merrily KerrDon't Miss, Features & Commissions, Hottest ShowPosted on Comments are Disabled

Created in Hangzhou, China last summer and now on display just outside of New York City at the Nassau County Museum of Art’s ‘Blue’ exhibition, Han Qin’s ‘The Direction of Migration’ was inspired by the artist’s own journeys between China and Long Island.  Using a cyanotype process that involves exposing treated paper to sunlight, Han Qin – a professional dancer who choreographed a dance to accompany this work – arranged emigrant friends in dance poses on the paper.  Ethereal and suggesting natural upward movement, the piece pictures hopeful journeys.  (On view through Nov 1st.  Tickets must be purchased in advance).

Han Qin, The Direction of Migration (Diptych), cyanotype on paper, 3307 x 94.5 cm, 2019.

Felipe Pantone at albertz benda

by Merrily KerrDon't Miss, Features & Commissions, Hottest ShowPosted on Comments are Disabled

Audience interaction is key to activating Spanish/Argentinian artist Felipe Pantone’s optically sizzling sculpture, so how will viewers engage his latest work?  Though Pantone’s current exhibition at Chelsea’s albertz benda gallery won’t involve touching the work (and is even titled ‘Contactless’), Pantone has created an online exhibition that allows manipulation of this patterned, pixelated grid and other sculptures in the show.  If not quite as satisfying as interacting with the art in person, the digital component is still a huge boost and worth checking out.  Visitors who are hooked can download Pantone’s interactive app @configurableart for more optical play.  (On view through August 28th.  Appointments are not necessary, masks are required and guests must sign a Covid release and submit contact info.)

Felipe Pantone, Chromadynamica Manipulable #7, UV paint on aluminum composite panel, 39 3/8 x 31 1/2 inches, 2020.