Photo: Isa Genzken,Two Orchids, 2015. Cast aluminum and stainless steel, lacquer, 393 7/10 in, 1000 cm. Courtesy Galerie Buchholz, Cologne/Berlin/New York and David Zwirner, New York/London Photo: Jason Wyche, Courtesy Public Art Fund, NY © 2015 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Since taking the helm of PULSE Contemporary Art Fair in early 2014, Helen Toomer has brought new and revitalized energy to the fair. Previously the Fair Director of Collective Design Fair and the founder of toomer labzda gallery in Manhattan, Toomer’s extensive experience in the world of art makes her the ideal person to provide Crave with an exclusive on the hottest shows in New York City this summer.
Also: Exhibit| Disguise: Masks and Global African Art
Crave: As the Director of the PULSE Contemporary Art Fair, you must be deliciously inundated with art in its many-splendored forms. Please speak about what these shows all have in common that makes them stand outs on the New York art scene.
Helen Toomer
Helen Toomer: I love the way public spaces and outdoor installations encourage the communities of New York to interact and speak about art in unexpected places. Like the High Line or Hank Willis Thomas’ “Truth” works presented by the Public Art Fund. Talking of community, Pioneer Works, who opened one of the first major exhibition spaces in Red Hook consistently draws on and programs for the local community while enticing a crowd – that may not or may not be your typical UES museum visitor—to venture to Red Hook. PS1’s involvement and Klaus’ commitment in the Rockaways is similar in that vein. Disguise at the Brooklyn Museum and the Martin Creed show are just phenomenal exhibitions, in incredible spaces.
And don’t forget there are hundreds of amazing galleries that are free and open to the public. It’s New York City and the energy and creativity of its inhabitants that are the binding and inspiring factors!
Genesis Belanger and Nick Doyle: Happiness and other forms of self-delusion | Pioneer Works
Brooklyn has become a global phenomenon. Would love if you could speak about how the exhibition at Pioneer Works are indicative of the cutting-edge contemporary art scene outside Manhattan proper.
Pioneer Works is fantastic as I mentioned before and regularly produces excellent shows—like Derrick Adam’s ON. With regard to the bigger picture of the Brooklyn art scene—it’s all about Bushwick. It’s the place to go to find the newest crop of talented artists and some of most boundary-pushing exhibitions.
Duke Riley: Fly By Night, photo by Tod Seelie.
I am absolutely delighted by your selection of four public art works. Can you speak about each of the installations: in what ways do each of them help shape our understanding of the role of art in public life.
What I love about public art is that, depending on the piece, it can really alter the way you perceive your environment. Isa Genzken’s piece is on the outskirts of Central Park in an area that is heavily trafficked by both tourists and New Yorkers. For visitors, you have a great introduction to New York’s art scene and how integrated art and culture is in the city. For New Yorkers, you have something that can slow you down and make you appreciate where you are, the beauty of the Park, of the Plaza.
Fly By Night by Duke Riley and presented by the epic Creative Time, takes us back to an older New York where pigeon lofts could be found on rooftops throughout the city and pigeon flying was a common activity. Each pigeon in the performance has a tiny LED light affixed to their leg and they have been trained to fly in patterns across the skyline– watching it is breathtaking.
Art in the Parks: Carole Eisner | Prospect Park Alliance
Art in the Parks places four sculptures by Carole Eisner in four areas in Prospect Park. Each sculpture was chosen to compliment the landscape of the park, showing how art can be integrated into and enhance the space.
For Rockaway!, Katharina Grosse turned the abandoned and decaying aquatics building at Fort Tilden into her canvas. Grosse spray paints directly onto the building and its surrounding vegetation and sand, utilizing the forms and materials present and challenging our ideas of what a painting is. I love her work—the energy, the texture and scale—it dwarfs you as much as embraces you.
Martin Creed: The Back Door | at Park Avenue Armory
And now we come to the work of Martin Creed. I’m just going to pass the mic here and let you share your thoughts freely.
I.LOVE.MARTIN.CREED. Being a Brit—I grew up with his work. Saw his Turner Prize winning show in 2001 at the Tate, where the lights just went off and on. He’s work seems simplistic but I think it’s extremely clever, as it touches you in familiar yet unexpected ways. Like the balloon installations—who doesn’t want to be a part of that?! It brings out the child in you – you want to play and I like the way he embraces and encourages that participation and humor.
Manhattan:
Isa Genzken: Two Orchids | at Central Park by Public Art Fund
Sculpture Center | Leslie Hewitt: Collective Stance
Martin Creed: The Back Door | at Park Avenue Armory
Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Museum | Disguise: Masks and Global African Art
Duke Riley | Fly by Night
Art in the Parks: Carole Eisner | Prospect Park Alliance
Genesis Belanger and Nick Doyle: Happiness and other forms of self-delusion | Pioneer Works
Queens:
MoMA PS1 | Rockaway! (Gateway National Recreation Area at Fort Tilden, New York)
Miss Rosen is a New York-based writer, curator, and brand strategist. There is nothing she adores so much as photography and books. A small part of her wishes she had a proper library, like in the game of Clue. Then she could blaze and write soliloquies to her in and out of print loves.
