Meredith James at Jack Hanley Gallery

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

The experience of curling up with a good book in a comfy chair isn’t what you might expect in Meredith James’ ‘Library,’ a standout in her show of delightfully strange sculpture at Jack Hanley Gallery.  Stocked with blandly-colored, identical volumes, the miniature library set in a chair, feels more ominous than wonderful.  A gallery handout suggests that James’ new work explores ‘things in various stages of disappearance or obsolescence,’ offering an uncertain future for the written word.  (On view on the Lower East Side through Nov 10th).

Meredith James, Library, armchair, wood, acrylic paint, paper, 44 x 31.5 x 30 inches, 2019.

Ruby Rumie and Justine Graham at Nohra Haime Gallery

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

Can you guess who is the housekeeper in each of these photos and who is the employer?  Columbian artist Ruby Rumie and French-American photographer Justine Graham teamed up to question the perceived and real differences between one hundred women in photographs and accompanying interviews at Nohra Haime Gallery.  As the uniform white shirts worn by the women suggest, Rumie and Graham emphasize the women’s shared hopes, fears and more in questionnaires and videos that foreground their similarities.   (On view in Chelsea through Nov 16th).

Ruby Rumie, installation view of ‘Common Place’ at Nohra Haime Gallery, Oct 2019.

Vik Muniz at Sikkema, Jenkins & Co

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

After the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro was ravaged by fire in Sept 2018, renowned Rio and NY based artist Vik Muniz reached out to offer help.  The resulting series ‘Museum of Ashes,’ now on view at Sikkema Jenkins & Co in Chelsea, mourns the loss of artifacts that range from dinosaur fossils to Egyptian artifacts by recreating images of the objects created from their own ashes.  (On view through Nov 16th).

Vik Muniz, Sarcophagus of Sha-amun-en-su, 750 BC, Museum of Ashes, archival inkjet print, 40 x 30 inches, 2019.

Marco Maggi at Josee Bienvenu Gallery

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

It took a good part of the summer for Uruguayan artist Marco Maggi to install his immersive installation at Josee Bienvenu Gallery in Chelsea, yet it’s possible to visit the gallery and not even notice the artwork.  Maggi employed his signature technique of cutting tiny geometric shapes and strips from adhesive paper and adhering them to the wall in his latest show, but he keeps the gallery lights off, forcing viewers to employ flashlights to hunt for the work.  As the show’s subtitle, ‘From Obscurantism to Enlightenment’ suggests, Maggi wants viewers to enjoy the process of looking, slowing down and letting enlightenment unfold.  (On view through Nov 11th).

Marco Maggi, installation view of ‘Initialism (From Obscurantism to Enlightenment)’ at Josee Bienvenu Gallery, Oct, 2019.

Aliza Nisenbaum at Anton Kern Gallery

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

Mexican born, Harlem-based activist and artist Aliza Nisenbaum’s new paintings at Anton Kern Gallery’s midtown gallery celebrate group activities in kaleidoscopic form and brilliant color.  From teaching English to immigrants in Queens in 2012 to various residences and projects, Nisenbaum has engaged individuals who become subjects for paintings that celebrate togetherness and diversity.  (On view through Nov 2nd).

Aliza Nisenbaum, Jenna and Moises, oil on linen, 64 x 57 inches, 2018.