Staff Pick

Staff Picks: January 2017

Hito Steyerl’s Factory of the Sun (2015), in which viewers sit on lounge chairs in a gridded space to watch a video game parody. Part of Dreamlands at the Whitney Museum. Courtesy of the artist and Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York; Photograph by Sarah Wilmer.

It’s chilly this January, but it’s always warm inside a museum, gallery, or theater! The Art21 staff has pulled together this small list of recommendations on exhibitions and films we know you’ll love.


“This is your last gasp chance to see Dreamlands: Immersive Cinema and Art, 1905-2016, closing February 5, 2017 at the Whitney Museum. You’ll need a few hours but shows like this don’t come around often.”

Tina Kukielski, Executive Director


“I’m a total sucker for studio films from the 1970s—the washed out color looks, the loose storytelling and affectionate characterizations, the way Hollywood’s desperate drive for the counterculture market let an amazing class of directors in through the back door.

And ever impressive, Metrograph in the Lower East Side is programming two series of Universal’s ’70s offerings; the first runs through February 7. Both famous—George Lucas’ still great American Graffitiand not so well known—Don Siegel’s Charley Varrick.”

Nick Ravich, Director of Production


“Nick Cave’s most recent installation, Until, is an immersive and subtle confrontation. Educators have a unique opportunity to use Until as a teaching tool, as a and way to open up discussions that are difficult to initiate both in and out of classrooms.

Because Cave has arranged this installation in a way that specifically provokes the question, What do you see?, it allows a conversation to organically emerge.”

Joe Fusaro, Senior Education Advisor
On view through August 2017 at MASS MoCA


Is there an exhibition or artwork you’ve fallen in love with recently?
Leave your own pick in the comments below!