David Pappaceno, Psychic Birth (Installation view,2013), at English Kills Gallery.
This past weekend, locals, gallerists, collectors and other art enthusiasts flocked to Bushwick, Brooklyn for the seventh-annual Bushwick Open Studios, organized by nonprofit community group Arts in Bushwick. With over 550 spaces participating, many with more artists than one, it was impossible to see everything, even for the most dogged observer. Art turned out at every corner—in galleries, art studios, apartments, bars/restaurants, shops and event spaces— in this rapidly-developing district with a concentration of studios and gallery spaces that rivals Chelsea.
M. Henry Jones, Jim Jarmusch (2013) at Microscope Gallery
Lisa Levy, Thoughts in My Head (2011-2013), at 56 Bogart
The work on view ranged from high-brow (the first-floor galleries at 56 Bogart Street put on a fine showing of beautiful work) to low-brow (a street-corner juggler near the Morgan L stop), and brought the community out in force — defying 90+ degree temperatures, glaring sun and oppressive humidity to support, celebrate and enjoy all that the Bushwick art scene has to offer. ArtObserved was on-site over the course of the weekend, and has compiled these highlights:
At Microscope Gallery on Charles Place, 3-D lightbox portraits of Jim Jarmusch and Robert Frank by M. Henry Jones stood out, even as locals worked outside on a new mural for the wall shared by the gallery and Little Skips, the coffee shop next door.
Felix Morelo’s rooftop performance at The Jeffersonian
The Jeffersonian, at 148 Jefferson Street, offered several floors of work by artists including painter Gustavo Riziero, (who seems to share more than just a first name with Klimt), Shery Aliberti (sculpture, installation), Felix Morelo (performance), Lorraine D. Glover (installation), and an array of others. The rooftop played host to ongoing performances and evening projections, as the Manhattan skyline glittered through the hot summer haze.
At Storefront Gallery, two columns by Jack Henry dominated the main space in a show that opened May 30, while next door, Collections, a new vintage shop whose debut coincided (quite purposefully) with open studio weekend, offered small works on paper by friends of the owner.
Jack Henry, Untitled (Core Sample 17) (2013) at Storefront Gallery
Across Flushing Avenue, Rock Street hosted a fantastic pop-up sculpture park, featuring some of the most intriguing work of the expansive event, including live music Saturday night and works by 19 Brooklyn artists including Rico Gatson, Kevin Curran, Liz Atzberger, Jack Henry, JR Larson and Kris Scheifele. Often pulling from the imagery and environments of their native Bushwick, the artists’ pieces felt strangely at home next to the adjacent Boar’s Head Deli Meats factory, combining images of urban decay and renewal into a compelling and cohesive exhibition.
Down the street, the massive loft building at 56 Bogart had the feeling of a full-on art fair: busy, exciting, and overwhelming. Reflective shows by Chloe Bass (Bureau of Self Recognition, on view through June 30 at Momenta Art,) and Lisa Levy (across the hall) asked viewers to pause and review our daily banalities.
Chloe Bass, Bureau of Self Recognition (2013) at Momenta Art
Other noteworthy showings included Paul McLean’s “Dim Tim” paintings at Slag Contemporary, Young Min Choi’s beautifully-installed studio, and layered paintings by Juan Miguel Palacios. Seungmo Park’s “Yueon Gi,” a delicate screen made from layered stainless-steel wire mesh, was a real show-stopper.
Young Min Choi Identity Research (2010-2012), at 56 Bogart
At another big loft building at 41 Varick Avenue, Dennis McNett’s woodblock print sculptures kept eyes moving, while around the corner at 513 Johnson Avenue, Gwyneth Scally’s paintings were a dark and dramatic delight. At nearby Interstate Projects, Anna K.E.’s solo show, I Suppose My Doctor is Dead posed a vague but delightful expression of “non-graspable charm,” (according to the press release) toeing the line between literal and subjective experience. Next door, Kurt Steger’s wooden found-object sculptures were a structural evaluation of the causes and effects of debris.
Sculpture by Dennis McNett at 41 Varick
Nearby at studios adjoining English Kills Gallery at 114 Forest Street, (which on Saturday opened “Psychic Birth,” a stunning sculpture show by David Pappaceno on view through June 23), visitors were treated to a true open-studio experience. Artists including Markus Alkire, Darren Goins, Todd Bienvenu and Mary Martin opened their spaces and were on-hand to chat about the work over drinks and snacks.
Darren Goins, Yet-to-be-titled Sculpture (2013) at 114 Forest
Smaller spaces on side-streets, like Kelly Fondry’s apartment at 64 Troutman and Rebecca Zlouf’s home at 37 Troutman, offered intimate insights into the life and work of artists who make do with modest home studio spaces. Christina Chobot’s paintings at 37 Troutman stood out. Across the block, an ongoing house-party at 64 Jefferson kept it lively with a rotating cast of more than 25 artists (paintings, drawings, films, installation) and live music from several local bands.
Chloe Bass, Bureau of Self Recognition (2013) at Momenta Art
Between stops, art-hoppers sought reprieve from the heat in air-conditioned bars and restaurants, as local kids played in water gushing from the unlocked fire hydrants on many blocks—all of which contributed to the sense of community Arts in Bushwick may have hoped to foster since opening the inaugural open studios seven years ago.
Grace Exhibition Space’s Jill McDermid (in angel getup) at 56 Bogart
Seungmo Park, Yueon Gi (2013), at 56 Bogart
Juan Miguel Palacios at 56 Bogart
Gwyneth Scally poses with Endurance on the I-10 (2013).
Kurt Steger, Sandy (2012), in his studio.
Anna K.E., I Suppose my Doctor is Dead (2013) at Interstate Projects
Anna K.E., I Suppose my Doctor is Dead (2013) at Interstate Projects
Todd Bienvenu, Tribute to an Erased iPod (2013) at 114 Forest
Todd Bienvenu, (right, on couch) with friends and guests at 114 Forest
Mike Olin’s Studio at 114 Forest
Mary Martin, various works-in-progress (2013) at 114 Forest
Sam Graff performs near Morgan L during Bushwick Open Studios
Street Art near Morgan L, Bushwick Open Studios
Kelly Fondry, A Boring Model Party (2013) at 64 Troutman
Markus Alkire- 4 Works (2001-2012) from his Poptones Series at 114 Forest
David Pappaceno, Psychic Birth (2013) at English Kills
Blythe Cain, 3 Works (all 2013) at 114 Forest
Fun in the hydrant on Wilson Avenue during Bushwick Open Studios.
All photos courtesy of Hannah Palmer Egan
—H.P. Egan
