In an attempt to encourage the public to visit gallery exhibits, Casey Kaplan, David Zwirner, Friedrich Petzel, and other gallerists organized the first ever New York Gallery Week occurring this weekend from May 7-10th 2010. The event brings together fifty galleries and non profit organizations, spanning Chelsea, Midtown, SoHo, the Lower East Side, and the Upper East Side. In addition to the galleries remaining open for extended late hours and on Mondays, the events program includes numerous free lectures, performances, book signings, panel discussions, and gallery tours with prominent art historians and gallerists. Art Observed will be on site to selectively cover the happenings.
More on the event after the jump…
As Casey Kaplan explained in an interview for Artlog, New York Gallery Week stems from a desire to “put the focus back on art.” Concentrating on cohesively presented solo artist exhibitions, New York Gallery Week “encourages visitors to frequent these shows multiple times throughout the weekend, for various viewings and different perspectives.” Participating artists include: Roni Horn, Karel Funk, Willie Doherty, Uta Barth, Martin Creed, Josephine Meckseper, Shepard Fairey, Thomas Struth, Trisha Donnely, Jockum Nordstrom, Mamma Andersson, Jim Nutt, Thomas Eggerer, Richard Tuttle, Edward Kienholz, among many others.
For more information check the schedule of events:
New York Gallery Week
Interview with Casey Kaplan [Artlog]
New York Gallery Week Kicks Off This May [FlashArt]
Business Slow? Let’s Put On a New York Gallery Week [Arts Journal]