Natalia Malihina
New York is just so right for contemporary art with its neighborhoods packed with artists, musicians, photographers and dancers who arrange workshops, shows and exhibitions. Our selection will navigate you in this sea of art.
Dumbo Arts Festival
Dumbo is NYC's top spot for art and every year its studios host Dumbo Arts Fest. As organizers say it's a three day celebration of art, music and performance. Every block has street shows, Brooklyn Bridge park is showcasing installation and artists make video projections onto Manhattan Bridge – the most famous one was Immersive Surfaces in 2011 – over 20 artists from various countries used cutting-edge techniques which slowly progressed to take over the entire surface of the anchorage and archways of the bridge with impressive light effects.
Long Island Open Studios
Art district in converted industrial facilities, factories and plants split into small studios taken by artistic studios or galleries. Each facility houses up to 100 such studios and the neighbourhood had dozens of them.
The place becomes a vibe creative scene during LIC Open Studios festival – young artists in paint-covered jeans, girls with cameras, bohemian guys and even tourists are all friendly and nice.
Meanwhile, locals visit one another, arrange performances, treat the crowd to cheese and vine and talk art. Check the dates on their website.
Howard Greenberg Gallery
Two decades after its opening, the gallery moved from artistic SoHo to Midtown but stayed the same – the place for street photography and photojournalism. The gallery's exhibitions included images snapped by such icons as Brassai, Martin Frank, Sarah Moon and other masters.
Follow their updates on the website. A must-go for all street photography lovers.
Recess Activities
A small and interesting venue with exhibition halls and workshops. It provides free space for young talented artists for two or three months. Visitors can watch artists at work – a great bargain – guys get free studios and visitors enjoy the show. Admission is free but donations are welcome on the gallery website.
Tony Shafrazi Gallery
The owner is THE Tony Shafrazi, art-dealer who spray-painted Picasso's Guernica in Met and is supplying stuff to all US upscale art lovers. At different time, the place housed Dennis Hopper, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and even Picasso. Opened Tuesdays through Sats from 10 to 6. Admission depends on the exhibition and sometimes if free of charge.
Agora
A spacious gallery in the 25th Street houses young artists and photographers with some exceptions – recently it displayed the famous Italian artist Maurizio Yorck.
As it often happens in NYC galleries, the openings are visited by celebs. Though the place looks posh, its owner is a nice and friendly woman, welcoming every visitor and showing him or her around.
Microscope Gallery
The place is a real extravaganza with its audio and video installations by contemporary NYC artists. Back in 2011, performance artist Marni Kotak gave birth to her child in the gallery. “The Birth of Baby X” symbolized a connection between giving birth to a new artistic creation and a new life, happening together in a place, which is sacred for the artist.
The venue is opened Monday from 10 to 6 pm or any other day by appointment only.