"DJED" by Matthew Barney. Now showing at Gladstone Gallery in NYC through October 22, 2011

The hottest place to be in New York City on September 17, 2011 was the opening for Matthew Barney’s latest exhibit “DJED” at Gladstone Gallery in New York.  Featuring 3 large scale sculptures, “DJED” is Matthew Barney’s first major works produced from industrial metals such as iron, bronze, copper and lead.  “DJED” is the first New York exhibition of his “Ancient Evenings” project which has been in progress since 2007.  It is inspired by Norman Mailer’s 1993 novel “Ancient Evenings,” and also titled as such.   It’s a multi-part project structured as a site specific opera in collaboration with Jonathan Bepler and deals with the soul’s progression through death and rebirth using an automobile as an allegory of the rise and fall of the American landscape.

“DJED” by Matthew Barney is showing at Gladstone Gallery (located at 530 West 21st Street) in New York through October 22, 2011. Hat tip to the Happy Famous Artists for the info.

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Partial View of "Tight Spot" by David Byrne. On display at the Pace Gallery in NYC through October 1, 2011

To celebrate the expansion of The Pace Gallery in New York, musician and artist David Byrne is displaying a 2-week only site specific installation called “Tight Spot.” A 48 by 20 foot inflatable globe is underneath the High Line at 508 West 25th Street.  The statement that David Byrne is making is so important for the times we are living in as the world is under massive constraints and is also expanding so fast – who knows what is going to happen?!  A planet and the people contained within it can only take so much pressure before a massive change happens.  The possibilities for good and bad are equally as likely.  Inside the globe are low frequency vibrations created by David Byrne (and made with his voice instead of instruments).  I found “Tight Spot” to be very inspirational serving as yet another wake up call to the people on this planet.  David was in attendance for the opening night reception and he was extremely nice when I spoke with him.  Below is a picture of David Byrne with some friends at the opening of “Tight Spot.”  This exhibit is only on display until October 1, 2011 so you need to act fast to make sure you see it.

David Byrne (center) in front of "Tight Spot"

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Gonzales Y Gonzales

Good news for New York City taste buds.  Bad news for our waist-lines!  The legendary Mexican restaurant, Gonzales Y Gonzales closed its doors at the end of January 2011 after 22 years in business.  The block long restaurant and bar in Soho was set to become a Chipotle but luckily,  it was not meant to be.  Gonzales Y Gonzales will be reopening in the Fall of 2011 in its original space!  The entrance now will be exclusively on 192 Mercer Street.  I’ve had so many yummy meals and delicious margaritas at Gonzales Y Gonzales.  I am very excited!

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Alec Monopoly

Los Angeles!  Save the date and get ready for an event you won’t want to miss and a gallery you’ll want to add to your list of places to visit regularly on your urban outings.  LAB ART in Los Angeles will be opening on May 13, 2011 (at 11 am).  The 6,500 square foot gallery will be the largest dedicated street art gallery in the United States! 

LAB ART is located at 217 S. La Brea Avenue, in Los Angeles. Drawn from the street art movement, the grand opening exhibition brings together approximately 300 works, by over 30 artists—both recognized names as well as up-and-comers. The unprecedented line-up includes some of the most renowned urban artists in the world including: AJL, Alec Monopoly, Army of One-JC2, Cali Killa, Carlos Ulloa, Chad Muska, Cibass, Common Cents, Cristian “SMEAR” Gheorghiu, Cyrcle, Daniel Siboni, DD’$, Desire Obtain Cherish, Destroy All Design, Dog Byte, Felix, Fragile Art, Gregory Siff, Haculla, Inept Art, Jonny D1G1TAL, K H Number 7, Kai Aspire, LOUIS XXX, MAR, Nomade, RABI, Sean D’Anconia, Stu Rad, Swift Art, Thank You X, VARP, XVALA and many other talents!

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Alec Pass Go. Show opens November 11, 2010 in Chelsea.

The day has finally arrived.  Alec Monopoly’s first New York art show “Alec Pass Go” opens to the public in a few short hours.  I was lucky enough to attend the “pre-opening night” festivities and it was awesome. A DJ spun tunes by Two Door Cinema Club, Penguin Prison and Delphic while some of the biggest names in street art (such as Nyte Walka) roamed the gallery.

Robert DeNiro by Alec

Stickers of the Monopoly Man were given away for free as well as limited edition posters to the attendees. I even caught a glimpse of the artist getting to enjoy his opening.  Since only a few insiders know what he looks like, he was not mobbed and bombarded as is the usual protocol at art openings.  I also noticed quite a few red dots next to the paintings already, so it looks like big things are happening for Alec Monopoly.  I’ve been a fan of his work since I saw it on the streets of LA and I am very happy that the art world is taking notice too!

The official opening to the public of “Alec Pass Go” takes place on November 11, 2010 at 300 West 22nd Street in New York at 3 pm.  The first 250 people receive a free hand finished print.  I recommend you get there early and I also request that if you are one of the elusive artists I’ve written about previously and you see me at the opening, come say hi!

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