Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nyc and art

A Cultural weekend in New York

Meeks Ormand — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:58:49 -0800

I'll be in New York City the 21st through the 23rd and would like to take in a much art/cultural stuff as I reasonably can, but it's New York and outside of the big four (MOMA, the Met, AMNH and the Guggenhiem), I'm not really sure where to start. The whole point of the trip is to see Einstein on the Beach, but since I've never been to New York and have no idea when or if I'll make it back I'd like to stuff as much stuff into the trip as is practicable. Also while I enjoy looking at art, I know very little about it. I usually just wander an art museum looking for things that I find striking, usually somewhere in the borderlands between portraiture/still life and total abstraction. So if the hive mind has any recommendations for things that I should try and see but am in danger of overlooking I would be ever so grateful.

A Room of One's Own

hermitosis — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:17:18 -0800

Looking for a artist studio/workspace kind of deal in Manhattan. Challenges: affordable, soundproof, pay-per-use. Some friends and I need to get together about once a month to rehearse some pretty goofy material for an hour or two at a time. It would be really wonderful to do this in Manhattan, which is far more central to everyone involved, than in the various outer boroughs we live in.

Our priorities are:

Privacy - we need to be able to make noise, and we don't want to be visible or overheard if we can help it.

Affordable - I dunno, fifty bucks per session? Is that lunacy? We don't need any sort of tech set up, just a space.

Pay-per-use - We don't have either the funds or the necessity to rent a place for an entire month, week, or even day. Just a couple hours here or there. We're fine scheduling many weeks in advance.

I know, it sounds like a pipe dream. But maybe you know of something that I don't?

What do I need to know about buying art?

rmannion — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:25:02 -0800

How do I buy art from a gallery? There's a piece of art I'm interested in that's about to be displayed in a local gallery. As someone who's rarely ventured into galleries (they're kind of intimidating!), I have no clue how the process of actually buying a piece works and basically want to avoid some kind of art-buying faux pas. Here are a few questions that come to mind:

From related AskMes, it seems that I can reasonably expect to extract a 20% discount off the list price. Does anyone know if this holds true in this market, NYC/west Chelsea? Does paying cash have any effect?

I'll probably check the piece out during the opening reception. Is that an appropriate time to ask about buying the piece or are receptions strictly for drinking free wine?

I'm guessing I'd have to wait till the (couple of week long) show is over before I could actually take home the piece. Is this correct? If the piece is framed, will the frame come with it? Should I expect any kind of documentation to come with it?

Is there anything else I might be missing? Thanks!

"I've got a gun let's go to a Broadway show"

drjimmy11 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:23:41 -0800

What should I see/eat/do in New York City this week? I'm going to New York this Wed. - Sunday for a film festival. Outside of the screening Thursday night, I don't have any plans at all. Hopefully you can help with that.

I'll be staying in the midtown/Broadway/Times Square area (not really by choice; it's close to my screening.) I have been to New York a few times and seen the very basic tourist things but not much else.

What I like:
Museums and arty stuff
Music- rockish, indieish, alt-country-ish
Literary-related stuff (bonus points for "Gatsby" tie-ins!)
coffee shops
Good food
Stuff I can do by myself without feeling awkward- for me that means I will sit in a cool bar where I can read a book or just chill, but I'm less likely to go to some big dance club. I'm not a huge fan of eating alone at "fancy" restaurants but love good food in a casual setting. I'm a vegetarian, but eat fish, love Indian and other spicy foods.

For lack of a better word, "hipstery" is a pretty good stereotype of what I like. If you know L.A., I live in Silver Lake. I'm interested in exploring Brooklyn/Williamsburg too- specific recommendations are great, but if there's a certain subway stop where I should just get off and poke around, I can do that too. Jonathan and Ray's world in "Bored to Death" kind of appeals to me.

This is kind of lame and embarrassing but I wouldn't mind visiting the famous view by the Brooklyn(??) Bridge. You know, the one from "Manhattan" among other movies.

Not interested in:
Broadway shows
Times Square touristy stuff
Anything that costs a fortune

Maybe:
There is some boat trip that you can take just to see the sites I think? Want to say Staten Island ferry but maybe not? This is embarrassing.

I'm leaving this pretty open-ended; I am well aware there are tens of thousands of bars and restaurants in New York City- just hoping to hear about some hidden treasures I wouldn't otherwise.

High Quality Super Short Run Printing in New York

safetyfork — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:36:35 -0800

Seeking NYC print shop recommendations for nearly one-off prints. I have about 20 pieces of different, mostly standard sizes -- nothing larger than 11 x 17 and B4 -- that I'd like to make a very limited number color prints of (1 - 3 each). I have an approximate budget of 10 dollars per print I'd like to hew closely to and a number of quality and care requirements. I want to avoid any place that suffers from the following: poor quality inks and reproduction tools, inattention to detail in handling and care of the prints as these will be gifts.

I'd like them to have quality ink, archival stock, and tools. Files are straight up CMYK -- no spot colors or other fancy effects needed. I will need the prints cropped as many are full bleed.

Decent customer service would also be great but is not required as long as the work speaks for itself.

Preferences for printers in Manhattan, Brooklyn or LIC, Queens in that order. Last thing I had printed was done in Canada. I'd like it to be more local than that.

I'd like to have this completed in the next 3 weeks or so.

If you have a place that does super great work and you love it so much you want to keep it a secret, I understand, but consider sending me some MeFi Mail. Many many thanks in advance.

Any rental shops other than 3rd Ward?

Bengston — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:15:30 -0800

Is there a metal shop that I could theoretically rent out for a day in NYC? (Not 3rd Ward) I am trying to find a place where I can take my employer (an artist) to do some custom work. I have all the skills, just none of the tools. I know 3rd Ward exists, but it isn't really what I am looking for. I have a feeling he isn't going to be interested in working in such a public place and, as far as I can tell from there website, it would probably cost $200 for us both to be there for the day and we won't have lone access to the tools. Cost isn't really an issue if we could find the right place. His studio is in Manhattan, so a shop in Manhattan would be preferable. All we really need is some space, a table, a good jump shear and a hand/finger brake.

Art Class Modeling - NYC Specific

CathyG — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:09:50 -0800

How to be an Art-class model: NYC specific (or other part-time student jobs in NYC) My daughter is an NYU student (Tisch theater program) who would like to find a part-time job this semester. She has a full load of classes everyday from 7am to 6pm, but thinks she might be able to manage 1 or 2 evenings or a weekend day. I mentioned to her that I had seen this question about what it's like to be an art class model and she thinks that would be a great job for her. I agree, but I want to make sure she is looking for legitimate art school work, not end up in some sleazy situation.

I am afraid to Google for this; just imagining the types of results I might get from "nude model nyc" is making my head spin. So I thought I would ask if anyone knows a specific school to contact. Bonus points if you know that they have evening/weekend classes.

And if you have other suggestions for part-time student work in NYC (Lower East Side preferred) I'll take that too. I'm monitoring the recent post about online jobs (and she already does some of these) so we've got that covered.

Party arty

taramosalata — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:03:30 -0800

Advice for going to art openings alone when you're not in the scene but seek quality conversation? In NYC. I'm an interested observer of contemporary art interested in learning more, and in talking to more people in that world, but don't currently run in artist/critic/gallerina circles, and don't have huge amounts of time to devote to this. I do sometimes go to artist talks and museum symposia, where occasionally I'll ask a (decently smart) question in Q&A, which can spark up some conversation afterward. But I'd also like to feel more comfortable at / get more out of show openings where people I don't know basically party in front of work. Most of this just comes down to social skills, sure, but I'd love any comments / suggestions from those who frequent such events.

(I also know that much contemporary art doesn't offer much for intellectual or sensory delectation, and that people often discourse about stuff pretentiously, but there is interesting material out there and I want to find and engage with it!)

Edgy or pop-culture art galleries in Boston?

serathen — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:45:23 -0800

Are there any edgier or pop-culture themed art galleries in Boston, similar to LA's Gallery 1988? I was just looking through an exhibition of Twilight Zone homages (recently mentioned on the blue), and was struck by how many of them I liked. The works by Lawrence Yang, May Ann Licudine, and Ahren Hertel especially jumped out at me. And they were cheap! Some of the smaller stuff was just a few hundred dollars for the original art, as far as I could tell.

But if I'm going to buy an original painting, I'm inclined to get it from somewhere local where I can see it firsthand. So are there any galleries in Boston that have similar stuff at similar prices? Failing that, in New York maybe? My price range is under $2000.

Crash course in promoting visual artists

crackingdes — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:37:47 -0800

How can I get the inside scoop on the business of selling art? Several of my favorite people are talented visual artists working in photography, painting, drawing, and/or printmaking. I'd like to learn more about the business side of making it as a successful artist, so that I can help them promote their work.

I enjoy networking, relationship building, creative promotion and all that kind of thing; I've had some success using these abilities in other fields. But I know very little about the specifics of how to succeed in the art world. How to get a gallery show, how to obtain representation, how to work with art dealers, how to get press and publicity. What's considered classy and what's considered gauche. How artists really get discovered.

Some other things which might be relevant:

1. No artistic talent or interest myself -- I'm just a fan.
2. Some knowledge of art history and the current art world, based on college classes and dilettante interest.
3. I live in NYC so I can easily go to galleries, parties, etc.
4. In case the above sounds presumptuous, this question was inspired by a request for my help... I'm not just butting in.

Can you recommend books? Magazines? Articles? Blogs? NYC events? Or general tips and ideas based on your experience?

Thank you!!

a small piece of space needed

beckish — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:55:28 -0800

Any suggestions for finding artists studio space in Queens, NY--either Long Island City or Sunnyside/Woodside? I'm looking for a small space 200 squ feet or so or a shared studio in Queens--I've looked at some of the big LIC artists spaces but am looking for something reasonably priced and hoping to get closer to Sunnyside than the city. I'm thinking I should just walk around and knock on doors but figured I'd see if anyone has any thoughts first?

thanksgiving minus turkey plus nyc

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:01:40 -0800

Will be in NYC for Thanksgiving: Will things be open? Anything cool going on? My mother and I are not too into the rituals of Thanksgiving. This year we're ditching the family dinners and, instead, meeting in New York City to take advantage of the city, our vacation time, and seeing each other (it's been about 6 months since we last hung out). We'll be there from Wednesday-Saturday.

We have specific thing on our agenda (eating at Momofuku, shopping at Desigual, going to MoMA for free on Friday, experiencing culture shock at Brighton Beach, going to bars with photobooths), but I'm wondering if most places will be open on Thanksgiving Day and/or if there is anything particularly fun happening then.

I'm pretty sure that neither of us is interested in watching the Thanksgiving parade (again, not too into Thanksgiving as a holiday), and this is her first time to NYC. We like art, walking around, food and wine, theatre, and various other funky things (Mom is hipper than I am...). But, neither of us wants to spend too much money, especially since we know that a fun time can be had in NYC without breaking the bank.

Reference of Frames?

Viola — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:16:23 -0800

I need an affordable framing place in NYC/Brooklyn! I have about 10 prints I'd like framed for my wall, and many prints have somewhat unusual sizes that make it hard to find frames at various dollar stores and such. Ideally I'd like to drop off my prints at a store, discuss briefly which prints need matting and which just need regular frames, and pick them up the next week. I work just upstairs from a tony framing store in DUMBO, but if you've got a more affordable recommendation in Murray Hill or whatever, please send them my way!

We'll talk in present tenses.

shakespeherian — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:28:07 -0800

(Asking for a friend) Is there a place on ye olde interwebbes where I can see a gallery of all the artwork currently on display at the Chelsea Hotel? ALTERNATELY can anyone help me identify this painting? Blurry cellphone picture here. The Chelsea Hotel's website has exactly six pieces on display, none of which is the correct one. My friend would love to know who painted this and any other information available-- she's currently on a bus going to Boston, and typically she lives in Portland, and I'm not sure if she'll be back in NYC anytime soon so as to inquire at the hotel. TinEye is predictably unhelpful. Any ideas on how to go about identifying this thing?

Where to get Madame Chao's DVD?

griphus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:45:11 -0800

Does anyone know where the get physical copies of Madame Chao's video art? The Ancient Chinese Cathode Ray DVD, specifically. Does anyone remember the "Madame Chao's" ("Madame Chaos?) videos that used to air on BCAT on Cablevision (in NYC) late nights in the late 90s/early 00s?

It was ridiculously noisy, epilepsy-inducing video art, with samples of old Chinese wǔxiá movies and The Simpsons (here's some I found on youtube WARNING: NSFW, gory violence, disturbing imagery etc.)

I used to work in a store in the E. Village where we had unlabeled copies of a couple of "episodes," with the tape just long enough to hold an episode and "Madame Chaos" scrawled across the top, which makes me assume these were originals. Unfortunately those are now gone (as is the store.)

So does anyone have any info at all on how to get some physical copies? My Google-fu is weak, their website seems to be all sorts of broken (on purpose?) and the Myspace page is unofficial

Too Hot For City Hall

hermitosis — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:13:24 -0800

I'm looking for examples of public art exhibitions in New York City that were covered, removed, or otherwise vanished, due to critical response or other factors. (For example, Eric Fischl's Tumbling Woman.) I'm interested in examples of pieces that were beloved by the public but deemed unsuitable by corporate or municipal entities, as well as those that were reviled by the public and/or art community. Bonus points if you can point me toward where a piece is now. I welcome anything that was deemed a nuisance, a hazard, an obscenity, or just plain unsightly.

What was that painting I saw at the Met?

TheOtherGuy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:07:06 -0800

Art Lovers: Help me track down the identity of a painting I saw at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). So I checked out the Met during a recent trip to NYC. I briefly stopped by one painting that was interesting enough to dial up on the audio tour thingo, but not interesting enough to remember the artist or the title. Of course, now, I am unable to shake the painting from my mind as I think it would be the perfect inspiration for a story I am thinking of writing: 'Girl with the Pearl Earring' Style

I am in the UK, so naturally heading back to the Met to find out about this painting isn't an option and I have frantically searched Met website for info, but to no avail as their advanced search option doesn't seem to be working. So I have come to the Hivemind to crowd-source an answer:

Here is what I remember. Take all of them with a grain of salt as I have both a shocking memory, and a philistine's eye for art!

- Oil on canvas.

- It was of a girl, perhaps 12 years old, reclining back in a chair in a fairly rustic looking room, maybe her bedroom or a kitchen. There is something just on the painting's left: either a bed.. or a table

- She is wearing a simple dress, I am slightly colour-blind but I at least think it was a very dull pale olive or blue.

- Her hands were behind her head, elbows out, and her head was turned to her right (our left) in deep thought.

- The audio guide narrator said that despite the subject's age, it has a sensual quality about it, mainly because her feet rested on something as she sat, revealing quite a bit of leg. I must stress that my reasons for tracking down this painting are entirely pure!

- I am fairly sure it is comparitively recent, but painted in a realistic style (ie not a weird post-modern, cubist kinda deal). There were a few Picassos close by so I am leaning more towards late 19th-early 20th century. The colours were quite subdued, it is definitely not in the Impressionist-style. more photo-realistic if you know what I mean.

- The artist's name might be something like 'Guzot' or 'Buzot'

- The title contains the subject's name. A Latin sounding girls name, leading me to suspect that the artist is from Spain or Portugal. But the world 'Belgian' also seems to bob about my head when I think about this painting. Somewhere in Western Europe at least!

- I can't for the life of me work out where I saw it. The Met is something of a maze.

So yeah.. I hope thats enough information for it to twig in art boffin's mind. My email is in the profile if you think of any more questions, else post below and i will try to answer. Many thanks!

What's good today in Chelsea?

hermitosis — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:50:15 -0800

NYC-filter: Taking a friend to art galleries around Chelsea this afternoon. Anything specific that should we not miss?

I'm looking to take a screenprinting class in NYC.

Optimus Chyme — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:57:07 -0800

I'm looking to take a screenprinting class in NYC. Weekends any time or weekdays after 6:00. Manhattan is preferred, B/Q/Bx okay. Most of my Googling turns up screen printing companies, not classes/institutions. I've looked at places like BMCC and NYAA, with no results. Any suggestions?

Where are those street artists in lower Manhattan who make children's nameplates?

sacre_bleu — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:09:05 -0800

Manhattan street artist filter: If you frequent lower Manhattan, have you ever seen the artists who create colorful, illustrated nameplates for children on the spot? Please tell me where you have seen them working in recent weeks. I have one for my two older children, but have not gotten one for my youngest child. I would like to present them as a set, so I need one more.

The finished piece of art is severely rectangular, about 8 by 28 inches. The artists appeared to use pieces of cardboard dipped in an oil paint or similar medium, and used the cardboard as their "brush." One has letters built of dolphins, the other is decorated with pandas and flowers. They cost $15-$20.

I have a person in NYC who will get the piece for me and send it on. But they have not spotted these artists working in the time they have devoted to the search. All the artists I saw working in this fashion were Asian men and women, but it might have caught on with others.

If you have seen these artists at work recently, please say where and at what hour? Thank you, MeFi.

Help me think of Reenactment Photos for Cosplay

Del Far — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:11:24 -0800

Creative Ideas Filter: I need ideas of Famous and Memorable Photographs or Paintingsor famous and memorable scenes from History, Movies, or Television that can be Reenacted on the spot without planning by 3-6 people for me to photograph for a final project for school. So I have this final project for school and I realized that I could use my trip to the NY Comic-Con for "fun and profit." We had previously done reenactment photography in my digital photography class and I had a lot of fun, and I just thought, I could get some hilarious shots of people already cosplaying but also reenacting great scenes for me.

Imagine it, all the Naruto cosplayers reenacting the Mexican stand off scene from reservoir dogs. Or a reenactment of Jesus' Last Supper with people dressed up as DC heroes.

Socially conscious arts calendars in NYC?

brokekid — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:31:31 -0800

Does anybody know if there is one website that aggregates all of the do-gooder/socially conscious arts happenings and events in NYC? Or if there is not one mega calendar, are there smaller ones devoted to a specific art form ie. socially conscious films, do-gooder theatre, etc...? Thanks!

art 101

shothotbot — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:53:56 -0800

Help me find some art classes for a rank beginner in New York City. My business is folding and I am hoping to take a year or two of my retirement now in my early 40s. I want to take some photography and art courses in New York City. I have no measurable talent and less experience. Where should I go for a friendly, hands on introduction to drawing, watercolors and photography?

How to keep upto date on latest photo shows/exhbitis in NYC?

unmodern — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:34:55 -0800

How can I keep abreast of photo gallery openings, new photo exhibits, photo-related events in NYC? Any favorite online resources that do the work for you? Woeful that I missed out on the Juergen Teller opening at Lehmann Maupin. Help me not miss any other good shows!

Artists in NYC

xo — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:36:53 -0800

I want to generate a list of visual artists working in NYC. Just the ones with established, active careers and gallery representation -- this is so I can get a new internship. I'm especially interested in artists in their 30s and 40s.