New York State of Mind

I have to take one more class to finish my BFA degree, and I am fortunate to study in New York for two weeks to get my last few credits. This trip involves nothing more than museum explorations, gallery walks, and artists’ studio visits. The first three days here have been mind blowing. My teacher used to live here and knows the city like the back of his hand. Terry Myers is a well-known art critic, and is on a first name basis with many of these prominent artists and gallery owners. On Monday, we spent the morning in MoMA, thankfully out of the pouring rain. A huge, 40-year exhibition of Richard Serra’s work is on display. I was most impressed with his recent 2006 work, because these massive twisting metal sculptures weaved there way through the gallery. These things weigh tons, and you cannot help but wonder how the museum curators got them into this space. The curving maze of rusted steel knocks you out of balance as you wind your way through the cave-like forms. MoMA also has dozens of treasures such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Matisse, Warhol, de Kooning and Pollock. The list goes on and on obviously. The rain let up, and we left for Polly Apfelbaum’s studio, located next to the Brooklyn Bridge. After an hour or so there, we went to a lecture/book signing at White Columns gallery. Drinks were flowing and the place was hot. The first day was exciting.
On Tuesday, we began the day in Brooklyn at Fred Wilson’s very clean studio. This guy was at the Venice Biennial a few years ago. Luckily he has two assistants helping him out. After lunch in Greenwich, we walked around to various galleries between there and Chelsea. My feet were hurting by the end of the day, yet after a quick bite to eat, my roommate and I walked up to Times Square. I did not realize how large this area was. I thought it was a block or two, but it is more like 6 blocks. This is because they don’t want to lose their erectile power, sildenafil online canada which can lead to erectile dysfunction. If a person suffers from ED or impotence, you should consult your doctor first before taking any sort of medication so you can distinguish the problem and find the perfect deal. cipla cialis When it comes to women, it can promote tadalafil 60mg reproductive health as well. ED is common among men around the world however most of them are still not aware of ED. cost viagra online The lights are bright, and the place is absolutely vibrant. I slept easily that night.
Wednesday was another action packed day in SOHO. The day began with another artist’s studio visit; Jane Hammond. She is very intelligent and had words of wisdom for all of us. After two hours in her studio we grabbed a great bite of Mexican food from a 2006 Food ‘Vendy’ Finalist on the street corner. Then we toured around SOHO’s galleries before heading to lower East Village. SOHO was the heart of the art scene in the 80’s, and even though much of those galleries have moved on, some still remains. The quality of these spaces and the work is unbelievable. I do not have the vocabulary to describe much of it. Fortunately I took some pictures here and there, and will post those soon. I saw the building Jasper Johns used as his studio during the 60’s. Then we went to a galley opening my other professor, Candida Alverez, was participating in. This was a Puerto Rican themed event, and the specialty rums made an appearance too.
I have learned so much in the first three days of this trip, it is hard to believe I have a week and a half left of this. New York is an amazing city and I cannot wait to see more of it. This is one of those trips that will take awhile to digest. Our teachers were saying it could take years until we realize the magnitude of everything we are seeing. Many of these gallery visits only last minutes, so I may utilize our free weekend to go back to some of them. My roommate, Sterling and I are going to see a jazz show at Carnegie theatre Friday night, and then hopefully we’ll catch a Yankee game next week. We are also going to the Hamptons next week, to visit Mary Heilmann’s studio. I am having so much fun, but my feet hurt. It’s a trade-off.