Gallery - a hidden treasure celebrating Art

I can’t believe that after almost 15 years living in New York it took an art class to rediscover to me the Big Apple. I always thought Soho was the place for galleries. Well, the number one spot belongs to Chelsea; not mentioning having much friendlier employees as well.

I was really lucky to go on a beautiful warm sunny day which colored my overall experience even further. The first gallery I walked into was DeBuck Gallery: I instantly (quietly)  said “wow” and was greeted by three friendly faces who resumed their conversation. Left alone, I was really able to admire the art. It was all abstract, but in a form of surrealism which I like. The first thing that jumps into one’s eyes is the frame of the art. Black, square shaped, of massive wood, with beautiful maze-like carvings. The 2D art within was assembled collage and most of it was showing images of wealth. One was showing a tiara like face, while the other was showing a man wearing a light diamond ring. Another one yet had a luxury building that finally exploded from too many tenants. The pattern so far was the obsession with materialistic world by all of us. The smaller paintings were placed behind the glass in simple modern black frames without any carvings. My favorite piece of art was a “giant” collage of a woman representing fashion “victim” with jewelry instead of the eyes (another exaggeration of our obsession with what’s on the outside), and a perfect body with narrow waste, placed inside of one of those impressive “maze” frames. Actually, she was all made of luxury items as rings, tiara, gold etc. I could’ve imagine a rich person having an entire room designed around this abstract picture, with black walls, and more similar art where one can escape our world into a parallel universe of chick surrealism. There was no artificial illumination since the space was receiving decent amount of daylight where white walls played a crucial role. Then I moved into a dark room with black walls and the video projected onto the wall, cinema style. The video encompassed and cemented the theme of the gallery where even though everything was about the luxury and superficiality, one could still find endless inspirations: the art and fashion go together as friends whose desire is to uplift and push all people into a higher mental existence. The short film was captivating, with a female dancer showing of an impressive physique and swift modern dance skills all set up in a video game-like setting. To get to the point, soon the multiplied dancer was preforming on a giant abstract head that mimicked collage covered with jewelry; rotating and talking during a slow house-style music. If we put this video in front the toddlers I think they wouldn’t be crying: would watch it mesmerized for hours, or anyone actually. All the art was behind the glass frames and were predominantly of gold and silver colors. It looked sophisticated; it looked expensive. Due to my subconscious experience in Soho and those intimidating cold employees, unfortunately I didn’t take a photo of my favorite art, “that” luxurious lady model. But I was greeted a goodbye. 

Back on the street and passing so much art that was found on the walls of the surrounding buildings I entered the second gallery called Jonathan Levine. Let me say another “wow”. The gallery displayed beautiful oil representational paintings, with some imperfections made on purpose. The art was created by Andrew Hem. Since the themes were actually sad and serious with cold colors (mostly blue, and some empty space), the artist purposely placed a few drops of water when finished with the work as to imply his tears while making his art, and therefore making it more real, almost touchable. There was a pattern of children, giving impression of  orphans searching for food and dominance. There was also a sense of loneliness and worrisome. The all red painting gave an impression of war and blood. The red was actually a pattern as an accent color in paintings. Most themes might have been an apocalypse where adults were absent and it was up to children to try to rebuilt the new world, with apprehensive forecast. However, since all the colors were bright and the art was placed on white walls with great yellow lighting, I hope to be wrong. 

Moving to another room with the same walls and lighting I was really surprised to see Mike Leavitt’s version of madame Tussaud. Leavitt actually went a step further and made small versions of 16 best movie directors of all times: he perfected their head replicas but replaced their bodies with the bodies of the famous characters that directors created in their movies by which they became known for. I can’t even imagine how hard was it to carve all of that 3D art in wood, and oil paint them. The artist gave each replica his own little twist. For example, for Woody Allen’s body he actually made a banana as to emphasize Allen’s great sense of humor. The pattern in all figurines was a set of bright colors and happy (casual) tone. 

Next: Paula Cooper Gallery displayed 2D art of Meg Webster: the photography. If I am correct, all of the art was photoshopped in a great way. For example, there was a very small photo of a sunny summer day in country side with nothing but nature full of dried wheat fields with implemented (fake) sun, which was not too clear of course. The pattern in gallery was nature, soft bright colors, and themes of water, sand, grass, sunny days - all implying nostalgic happy days of summers in childhood. The stress and sadness disappear in this gallery. There was no artificial illumination necessary since the space had big roof windows. A painting of a pink window and clear blue sky with a few trenches of wheat had such a calming effect on me. Branches, leaves, plant - it all had a strong pattern on emphasis of nature in a simple, overlooked, forgotten way. It was a small world on a big screen.

The Leslie Tonkonow gallery had an amazing creative audio-visionary 3D art in a form of installation created by Amy Cutler; another “wow” moment! First when entering this darkened windowless room with grey walls I passed by the cardboard paintings that looked partially cut with scissors and partially as if were hand ripped. They displayed abstract images of surrealism within the simple white glass frames. If I went on analyzing them I would probably end up writing a 3000 word essay at least, so let’s leave this for another time. Installation itself appeared to be showing the interior of an modest home in a land of sand (beige flooring) with bizarre ideas like about ten chocolate bunnies placed on a shelf. In the corner there were some robes where I was under impression as if it was supposed represent a homeless person. The installed room had several thick ropes made of hair mimicking the ship interior as if holding the furniture. Oh, the whole idea of a sound was incredible. I thought I kept hearing a conversation of a girl alone with someone while hiding in some impoverished house full of water; light new age music played in distance. However, I read it was an emotional conversation between the musician Emily Wells, a creator of the music and sound, and her father. One can get so many ideas for mystery movies in this gallery! But another interpretation of this gallery might be a conversation with the dead we loved so dearly; human great despair.

All the galleries presented the art in relaxing manner, perfectly spaced out giving each other respect and individuality, even though they worked together to create a theme or even a story. 

Finally I went on high line with my mom via Skype; she had a blast. The famous path has really changed and “grew” some more since I’ve been there last time, a few years ago; such a pleasant surprise. What a great way to finish my little trip. While taking slow strides through the gardens and under the trees I shared all the experiences and acquired knowledge with mom. Somehow, we both felt much happier and peaceful since my dad’s passing a few months ago. I always liked art and now I am rediscovering and appreciating it on so many new levels.