Saturday, November 21, 2009

New York in November is beautiful

There are two bradford pear trees in front of our building, both with firey bodies that seem to both invite and warn outsiders. What a funny place this is. I have a month left in my visit, next week is Thanksgiving and although I'm so glad to be going home, I feel like there is still so much to do! There are exhibits I want to see and museums to revisit, there's just not enough time! So, Next Intern, be warned, even if you're tired of sight-seeing, or you have to paint, or you have other work to do, or feel antisocial, get ye to the museums! To the galleries! Spend every weekend! Even after work! Because pretty soon, you'll only have a month left, and you will come to the sudden and disheartening realization, there is just not enough time.

ULAE took part in the IFPDA print fair and we all went to the opening on Wednesday, Nov 4. http://www.ifpda.org/content/ It was really spectacular. All the other print dealers were there, like PACE and Gemini, and the amount of work was quite overwhelming. I felt like my lowly Intern title was lifted as free wine was served; of course, I couldn't participate in the food (who doesn't have a veggy tray?). Still, it was really neat to be a part of it. And I was, of course, bouncing with giddiness when I showed Mauro our booth on Sunday, pointing out the Terry Winters I helped with (that stone NEVER got dry), the brilliant orange arch by Richard Tuttle, the Lee Bontecou that I wish I had enough money for, and the Jasper Johns we finally got the right paper for. I was proud. :)

I also went with Brian to Hoboken to watch Joe Purdy and that was a blast! It was a really tiny venue, which always makes me happy. And Mr. Joe got trashed on stage, a little frustrating, but mostly funny. The crowd had to help him through a few songs, and we didn't stay for the encore. That's a first for me, I usually stay until they kick me out.

I went to visit galleries yesterday. I went over to Chelsea, up and down 24th and 25th street between 10th and 11th Ave. Go there, Interns. It's where Larissa's gallery is and many, many more. Those first three pictures are Hope Gangloff at the Susan Ingleff Gallery inglettgallery.com

The next guy, I love, not for his skill but for his sarcasm and wit. Olaf Breuning at the Metro Pictures Gallery. The whole show was a mild Vonnegut, life and people are absurd, etc. I enjoyed it. Next is Jane LaFarge Hamill. I'd never heard of her but I really enjoyed the way she handled the figure. Some of the other works were much more sketchy. Then I ran into a Philip Pearlstein exhibit; I was ecstatic! Always been a fan. Then I finally got to the show that was the reason for going out. Eric Fischl at the Mary Boone Gallery. I had never seen any of his paintings in person before. I was very impressed, those paintings have so much life in them, it's hard to breathe, you feel like you might startle them and they'll run away. He makes me depressed and determined at the same time. Maybe one day.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving! I can't wait to see my puppy...