nyc art scene

Opens Tomorrow, Aug 8, 7-9p:

“Détournement : Signs of the Times”
 curated by Carlo McCormick

Jonathan LeVine Gallery, 529 W20th St., NYC

“This exhibition is meant to both celebrate the lineage of détournement and bring attention to some of its current practitioners who embody its continued vitality through their art. We live in a forest of signs that are meant to confuse, distract and numb us to the more dire consequences of the human condition as it is. We do not need to follow these signs, we need to make our own so as to find a way out of the mess we are in. I cannot thank these artists enough for their contributions towards helping us find another way.” - Carlo McCormick

Artists Include: AIKO, Dan Witz, David Wojnarowicz, Dylan Egon, Eine, Ilona Granet, Jack Pierson, John Law (Jack Napier), Leo Fitzpatrick, Mark Flood, Martin Wong, Max Rippon (RIPO), Mike Osterhout, Posterboy, Ron English, Shepard Fairey + Jamie Reid, Steve Powers (ESPO), TrustoCorp, Will Boone, Zevs

Artist Reception,  Tuesday, June 26, 6pm:

“SAINTS OF THE LOWER EAST SIDE”
Tom Sanford

FABnyc, 75 East 4th St., NYC (bt Bowery & 2nd Ave)

An outdoor exhibition of paintings by artist Tom Sanford. This is the latest in a strong series of public artworks in Manhattan’s Cultural District, led by FABnyc’s recently appointed Director of Public Art, Keith Schweitzer (the same curator who brought us last year’s Coney Island Murals and helped to bring us this year’s celebrated “This Side of Paradise” exhibition in the Bronx).

“For a few months, seven local cultural heroes (Martin Wong, Joey Ramone, Miguel Piñero, Ellen Stewart, Charlie Parker, WeeGee and Allen Ginsberg) will remind passersby that history was made here and it was awesome. Sandwiched between the Ellen Stewart Theater and the offices of La Mama etc., the spot is rich with local history and I have a feeling these large icon-like panels may just spark people’s interest into delving a little deeper into the history of this once cutting-edge neighborhood.” - Hyperallergic

“I have always thought of the LES as a sort of cultural crucible, i guess that is how it is presented in fiction and the movies, so i thought about a way to show reverence for the artistic past of the neighborhood… these artists most epitomize the LES for me. It is the legends of the Lower East Side that inspire me. I could have chosen to paint Johnny Thunder, John Sex, David Wojnarowicz, Ornette Coleman or so many others, but these are the seven that I chose, and seven fit the space.” - artist Tom Sanford

-thru Sept 5. photo: Udom Surangsophon

(Source: nycartscene)

Artist Reception, Next Tuesday, June 26, 6pm:

“SAINTS OF THE LOWER EAST SIDE”
 Tom Sanford

FABnyc, 75 East 4th St., NYC (bt Bowery & 2nd Ave)

An outdoor exhibition of paintings by artist Tom Sanford. This is the latest in a strong series of public artworks in Manhattan’s Cultural District, led by FABnyc’s recently appointed Director of Public Art, Keith Schweitzer (the same curator who brought us last year’s Coney Island Murals and helped to bring us this year’s celebrated “This Side of Paradise” exhibition in the Bronx).

“For a few months, seven local cultural heroes (Martin Wong, Joey Ramone, Miguel Piñero, Ellen Stewart, Charlie Parker, WeeGee and Allen Ginsberg) will remind passersby that history was made here and it was awesome. Sandwiched between the Ellen Stewart Theater and the offices of La Mama etc., the spot is rich with local history and I have a feeling these large icon-like panels may just spark people’s interest into delving a little deeper into the history of this once cutting-edge neighborhood.” - Hyperallergic

“I have always thought of the LES as a sort of cultural crucible, i guess that is how it is presented in fiction and the movies, so i thought about a way to show reverence for the artistic past of the neighborhood… these artists most epitomize the LES for me. It is the legends of the Lower East Side that inspire me. I could have chosen to paint Johnny Thunder, John Sex, David Wojnarowicz, Ornette Coleman or so many others, but these are the seven that I chose, and seven fit the space.” - artist Tom Sanford

-thru Sept 5. photo: Udom Surangsophon