Staff Pick

Staff Picks: Springtime Edition

Installation view of M/A/R/C/H at Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York. Photo: Mark-Woods.com. © Keltie Ferris. Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash.

Have a free afternoon? Go see some art! The Art21 staff presents a selection of our favorite films and exhibitions in New York.

 

“I really enjoyed the Unfinished Conversations show at MoMA—it’s small but packs a punch and I found it refreshing how head-on it presented issues of violence, protest, exploitation, and surveillance.

Also, finally listened to S-Town and I think we’ve reached peak podcast storytelling, even though I’m still wrapping my mind around what it was about. Also loved Hannah Black’s performance OR LIFE OR at PS1—poetic, intense, and emotional.”

Danielle Brock, Office Coordinator
Unfinished Conversations is on view through July 30


“I want to recommend Keltie Ferris’ new show at Mitchell-Innes & Nash. Her painting just keeps getting better and these body print works reminded me in some ways of David Hammons’ work, although Ferris specifically utilizes gestures that explore a range of emotion, and seems to purposefully play with gender classification here. Beautiful exhibition.”

Joe Fusaro, Senior Education Advisor
On view through May 6


We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85 at the Brooklyn Museum is a must-see. It’s more important than ever to learn from the successes and failures of past political movements so that we can generate future social change without leaving anyone out.”

Ian Forster, Producer
On view through September 17


“Really enjoyed this animated film, My Entire High School Sinking into the Seaat Metrograph by director Dash Shaw, lead animator Jane Samborski, and featuring some very recognizable voices. Quirky, dark humor, and beautiful animation. Rotten Tomatoes gives a good description: ‘dream-like mixed media animation style that incorporates drawings, paintings and collage.'”

Maggie Albert, Associate Director of Development and External ​Relations​
Playing through April 27


“The Met’s Age of Empires is a stunning exhibition of new artifacts that have been discovered over the past fifty years in China. It was really inspiring to see the different styles and shapes of these artifacts—they gave me a lot of new ideas in my own work. The exhibition showcases not only the glorious past of China, but also reflects the rich culture that contributed to the China I know and am proud of today!”

—Zhiwei Chen, Digital Media Intern
On view through July 16


“Aki Sasamoto has a few performances remaining in her dynamic show at The Kitchen. Happening on Thursday and Saturday eves!

And if you were ever curious about the work Allan McCollum made in his first few years as an artist, there is still the chance to see a group of this work at Petzel Gallery uptown.”

Tina Kukielski, Executive Director and Chief Curator
Aki Sasamoto: Yield Point is on view through May 13, with performances through May 6
Allan McCollum’s Works: 1968–1977 is on view through April 29


Art of the Real is a unique opportunity to view some of the most vital and innovative voices in nonfiction and hybrid filmmaking today. Featuring established figures such as Laura Poitras, Ignacio Agüero and the late Michael Glawogger alongside emerging talents such as Theo Anthony (Rat Film), Salomé Jashi (The Dazzling Light of Sunset), as well as a tribute to the late Brazilian filmmaker Andrea Tonacci.”

—Tiffany Fung, Development Intern
Playing through May 2


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