Go See Some Art!

Feeling somewhat better. Got out into the crisp, cold New York day. The kind of day that starts out damp and biting, but by the time you’ve strode a mile and a half through the park, you’ve got to dump the hat and unbutton. Mmm, New York winter.

For anyone who’s here, or will be in the next month or so, I’ve taken in a couple of terrific exhibitions which should be seen, if possible.

Today I went to the Jewish Museum, up on 5th Avenue and 92nd Street, to see From the New Yorker to Shreck: the Art of William Steig (now through March 16th 2008); it was lovely. The work reminded me of Addams’, they were contemporaries, but with a looser line. Steig was raised on the LES, and there’s a very Jewish New York sensibility to much of the humor. The most magical part of the show, for me, was the original artwork from Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and the dummy book he made first. Obviously, the original Shreck artwork is a big draw for many, and there were more kids in that part of the exhibit, but they were mostly well behaved.

For those not in New York, or who really hate children, the exhibit is online as well.

The other exhibit was Pricked: extreme embroidery, at The Museum of Arts & Design, on 53rd St. Wow! What an amazing and inspiring show. I’ve been working on a textile project for some time now (soon to be revealed…) and it was so great to see that there are others out there thinking subversively about needlework. The show is not to be missed.

 

Andrea Dezsö, My Grandmother Loved Me Even Though …

Highlights were Sonya Clarke’s “Afro Abe II,” a five dollar bill with a french knot afro; Andrea Deszo’s “Lesson’s From My Mother,” 48 small white linen squares with dark lessons stitched on them; Maria E Pineres’ cross stitched celebrity mugshots; and Angelo Filomeno’s 3 foot by 10 foot “Death of Blinded Philosopher,” which is a magnificent portrayal of Death as a skeletal figure exhaling sparkling, blossoming, blooms of blood.

Benji Whalen, Fast Machine, 2005

Tags: dark-stitching, jewish museum, new york winter, william steig