Nevet Yitzhak at Yossi Milo Gallery

Inspired by Afghan women who modified traditional rug patterns to include weapons and war vehicles after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Israeli artist Nevet Yitzhak creates digital war rugs featuring tanks, airplanes, and helicopters. Here (seen in detail), helicopters direct missiles at each other, causing explosions and devastation that belies any idea of weaving (even digitally) as a peaceful art. (At Yossi Milo Gallery through July 10th).

Nevet Yitzhak, detail from the series WarCraft, War Rug #2, projection of FHD video and animation, 8:00 min loop, stereo sound, 2014.

Jessica Jackson Hutchins at Marianne Boesky Gallery

Jessica Jackson Hutchins’ newspaper-covered sofa scattered with rough ceramic forms was a standout of the 2008 Whitney Biennial. Here, her first show at Chelsea’s Marianne Boesky Gallery opens with another couch more boldly occupied by a huge ceramic shape that the Portland, OR based artist refers to as a whale. (On view through June 6th).

Jessica Jackson Hutchins, installation view of ‘I Do Choose,’ with ‘Ultrasuede Wave,’ in foreground, sofa, oil stick, glazed ceramic, 2015.

Matthew Jensen at Yancey Richardson Gallery

Artists don’t make road trips like they used to…Brooklyn-based photographer Matthew Jensen left his car parked and instead turned to Google Street View to make this 2009 piece in which he chose an image from each state (apart from Hawaii, which had not yet been mapped). The artists states, ‘The sun used to be the only thing to touch the entire earth and now Google does as well.’ (At Chelsea’s Yancey Richardson Gallery through June 20th.)

Matthew Jensen, The 49 States, 49 chromogenic prints, each 16 x 16 inches, 2009.

Leidy Churchman at Murray Guy Gallery

New York artist Leidy Churchman considers what it means to be above it all, replicating a promotional picture for 432 Park Ave, the hemisphere’s tallest residential building (for now). Known for more its exclusivity than its architectural merit, Churchman turns the tower’s top floors into a glowing Olympian retreat. (At Chelsea’s Murray Guy through June 6th).

Leidy Churchman, Tallest Residential Tower in the Western Hemisphere, oil on linen, 72 x 60 inches, 2015.

Keith Edmier at Petzel Gallery

Grace Kelly, Venus and U.S. First Ladies are the elevated subjects of NY sculptor Keith Edmier’s enticing if eclectically-themed solo show at Chelsea’s Petzel Gallery. Here, an orchid developed for former first lady Laura Bush and replicated in dental acrylic is equally attractive and creepy, its waxy appearance and unnatural color suggesting embalmed beauty. (Through June 20th).

Keith Edmier, The Pink Orchid c. 1875-90 (Blc. Laura Bush ‘First Lady’ AM/AOS), dental acrylic and acrylic paint on Tennessee marble base, 15 x 11.5 x 8 inches, 2015.