The New York Academy of Fine Arts opens their 2010 MFA Thesis Exhibition tonight with a chance to meet and greet new talents in the fine art world. (above painting by Hudson Holly)

Opening on Friday at the Goethe Institute Wyoming Building is the exhibition “Nachleben” (translated literally it means afterlife and survival), bringing together a group of intellectual imagemakers, traditional and new media visual artists, photographers, and writers. There will be an interesting series of programs and events along with the show including film screenings and talks given by some of the artists such as the filmmakers Stan VanDerBeek, Lucy Raven, and Peggy Ahwesh (below).

“Nachleben” runs from 05/07/10 – 05/29/10.

The ISCP in Brooklyn is opening its doors again for studio visits from May 7th to 16th. The artists involved are both emerging and established artists from around the world. I have visited ISCP sometime back and visited a few artist studios for a show that I was working on curating. The building is divided into moderate sized rooms, enough for artists to work comfortably in (generally speaking).  There is an open communal space with a cozy little couch and kitchen for artists to gather and mingle, all under a pale skylight. I was also impressed by the books that were sitting on their shelf, full of art, theory, and rare philosophy titles.  Overall the ISCP studios are really thought out and inviting to both artists and visitors. I also had a pleasant experience with the staff when I inquired information about the programs that they offer.

Open Studios goes on for 10 days, with a chance to meet and talk with 41 international contemporary artists, residents, and curators at ISCP. It’s an opportunity to peek into the process behind dedicated artists and why they chose to be a residency of New York. (above image courtesy ISCP)

New York Gallery Week opens this Friday May 7th, with an anticipated series of exhibitions, art events, performances, panel discussions, and film screenings, complimented by gallery tours with curators, art historians, intimate talks with artists, and book signings.  This Spring 2010 is the first of the annual involving prominent art galleries and enthusiasts in New York City’s art hub. “NYGW will be an annual event, concentrating on programmatic and artistic rigor, with a mission that aims to ignite the New York art scene and direct focus back to artists and galleries.” Galleries will extend their opening hours this weekend until Monday evening.  Participating galleries include 303 Gallery, Canada, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, Lisa Cooley, Eleven Rivington, Deitch Projects, Zach Feuer, Friends of the High Line, Marian Goodman, Lehmann Maupin, David Nolan, Reena Spaulings Fine Art, Team, David Zwirner, and more.

Looking forward to an opening this Friday on the Highline with artist Richard Galpin discussing his latest work the Viewing Station.  More events and information on newyorkgalleryweek.com. All events are also listed on Artcards New York.

Last night was the opening to the Deitch Project’s final exhibition – May Day. It features Shepard Fairey’s portraits of cultural icons including Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Keith Haring, the list goes on. “The overall idea is the steps that individuals take to make art, change culture, change politics,” says Fairey supporting the concept behind the show. The line to go inside was around the block on this warm summery evening. People seem to be really excited to see the artist, the art, and to be a part of this New York moment. I realized the power of Shepard Fairey has reached out and beyond to gather an eclectic mix of people, which was the most interesting aspect of the opening. I met a team of indie filmmakers from Yugoslavia doing a documentary on street art traveling across the ocean to do spot interviews including this one with Fairey (more details about this film to come). Here are the photos and video recap from last night.

(courtesy Deitch Projects)

When I saw the huge Shepard Fairey mural going up on Houston and Bowery a few weeks ago, I was definitely surprised. By now, if you know Fairey’s work and you saw the wall, you’ll probably agree that these are more of his known propoganda images, and not fresh new work. After a bit of investigation, I came to realize that it’s part of a grand scheme including an exhibition at the Deitch, which opens today titled May Day, and the Obey conceptual pop up shop located in the Lower East Side.  It’s a clever way to tie it all together and market both art and products simultaneously and instantaneously. May Day is on view at the Deitch from May 01, 2010 — May 29, 2010. Here is a video interview of the artist with Wnyc.

A group exhibition featuring six young female artists from around the world, Bedtime Stories monotone dreams is showing at the artist collective space The Fardom from April 9th to May 2nd, 2010. The concept of the show was to manifest the moment that exists between sleep and wake states of mind. It was interpretted in all different ways by the artists and the works they chose to represent the idea. This is the latest curatorial project that I’ve been working on, and there is still one week left before the show closes.

Artists include KATJA LOHER, SOL KJØK, CHAW EI THIEN, CARISSA PELLETERI, KELLY STURHAHN, ALIONA YURTSEVICH