:: July blog ::

A little about our beloved (semi-new-almost-cool) art district in Chelsea-New York; a few things worth seeing; and just where did all the trannies go?

So many of us “New Yorkers” have mixed feelings about our (semi-new-almost-cool) art district in Chelsea. We always wonder if the real stuff is happening on the LES, in DUMBO, or Williamsburg. That stuff can be o-so-trendy at times, but I honestly think a lot of us just ignore the Chelsea district all together. Back in 1996, there were approximately 12 galleries listed in Chelsea. As of 2008, that number has grown to over 300. We know a lot of our gay friends live in Chelsea, that they did away with most of the trannies, and that they are building a butt-load of condos (no pun intended)...but an art district??? Really??

Weekends in “the district” are overwhelmed by a rising tide of grandparents and families from New Jersey and Upstate, which certainly does not lend credibility to the area. When cruising the galleries you can't help noticing that one out of every two workers at the reception desks have glasses, ironic t-shirts and a mean haircut. As you enter the galleries, they feverishly ignore you while they Face-book and IM their hearts out, pretending to be busy. Not sure I would do anything different if I worked there, but figure, “hey why not take an easy shot at them!” I detect a clear “need for content” attitude from the galleries. They have space to fill, and they need art to fill it. You can almost hear them screaming into the phones from the back of the galleries, "We need us some art!!!!...Ya know....that real good art!!!!! We got walls to fill!!!" In my mind, I hear them saying it in the thickest New York accent possible.

Getting back to the heart of THIS website, I should say, that underneath that warm and inviting “Chelsea” exterior, there are still a few real sparklers to check out, the Zhang Huan: Blessings exhibition at the PaceWildenstein gallery is a must see:

Zhang Huan

Giant No. 3, 2008

cowskin, steel, wood and polystyrene foam

NOTE IT'S HUGE - 15' 1" x 32' 10" x 13' 9"

Zhang Huan

Memory Door Series (Shadow), 2007

silkscreen on carved antique wood door

5' 5-1/2" x 10' 11-1/4" x 6-1/2"

Zhang Huan

Memory Door Series (Library No. 1), 2007

silkscreen on carved antique wood door

4' 6" x 9' 11-1/2" x 4"

Chelsea Art District (cont.) - Outside VS. Inside Sometimes I wonder if the art on the outside walls of the galleries is better than the art on the inside walls. Here are a few pics of natural compositions occurring outside: