My New York
We tapped four New Yorkers to share what's on their radar this month, and always.
KAREN ROBINOVITZ
Co-founder/Co-CEO of Sloomoo Institute
Entrepreneur and business strategist by trade and a collector by passion, slime empire Sloomoo Institute co-founder/CEO Karen Robinovitz has an eye—and seemingly a crystal ball.
Recommendations:
Can't-miss institutional show: The Met Roof Commission of Lauren Halsey; and Sarah Sze at Guggenheim
Most energizing NYC art experience: Performa’s immersive performance moments. They innovate, provoke and inspire.
Artists who define NYC now: The beauty of NYC is that anything goes and a range of artists evoke the spirit of the city: Cindy Sherman and Marilyn Minter to Nina Chanel Abney and Kennedy Yanko. It’s nearly impossible to call one or even a handful of artists to define a city of such diversity and energy. Emily Mae Smith, Genesis Belanger, Julie Curtiss, Gahee Park, Wangechi Mutu, Derek Adams, Mickalene Thomas, Susan Chen, Oscar yi Hou—they all represent part of the fabric of NYC but I could name so many more.
Most anticipated booths at the New York fairs: Too many to count: Peres, Lehmann Maupin, 1969, David Kordansky, PPOW, Francois Ghebaly, Mrs., Carl Kostyal… just to name a few.
Fave NY art adventure: The Brooklyn Museum
Karen Robinovitz
JACK WILKS
Founder of Museum Addict
A third-generation art collector, currently studying for his BA at Courtauld Institute of Art in London, Wilk has built an engaged community in Instagram-based art blog Museum Addict.
Recommendations:
Place to catch your breath during art week: The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City. But if you can’t handle another second of art, Central Park.
Fave NYC art pilgrimage: The El Greco room at the Met. Burgundy silk wallpaper. Big cozy couch. A View of Toledo. What more can you ask for?
Most anticipated event for NY art week: Louise Giovanelli’s opening at Grimm. She is one of my favorite artists working today and I can’t wait to see her new body of work.
Most anticipated fair booths (at any fair): At Frieze I am most excited for Jack Whitten at Hauser & Wirth and Naudline Pierre at James Cohan. At Independent I can’t wait to see Alina Perez at Deli Gallery.
In 5 words: why do you ♥️ NY? Bagels, lox, and cream cheese.
Jack Wilks
JON RIDER
Director at Flag Foundation
Now the Director at Flag Foundation, Jonathan Rider is an artist, writer, and curator who’s long tapped into the artists of today, and tomorrow.
Recommendations:
Can't-miss institutional show: Josh Kline: Project for a New American Century at The Whitney (through Aug. 13, 2023)
Most energizing NYC art experience: About every six weeks I go to The MET to recharge my batteries. After fifteen years in New York, it’s still the most exciting and heartening collection of objects and ideas anywhere.
Artists who define NYC now: Whether you’re interested in process-based abstraction, figurative painting, installation art, performance, etc., there seems to be room enough for everyone at the table right now. That doesn’t mean you want to sit next to everyone, but there’s no one trend or artist that’s defining this moment, which feels reassuring.
Fave NYC art pilgrimage: The Dream House.
In 5 words: why do you ♥️ NY: Everything still feels possible here.
Jon Rider. Photography by William Jess Laird for Cultured Magazine, 2022
NATALIE KATES
Partner at Kates-Ferri Projects
There isn’t a role in the arts Natalie Kates hasn’t played—collector, muse, dealer, studio manager. Now she runs Kates-Ferri Projects, a platform to exhibit and support artists that rethinks the traditional gallery structure.
Recommendations:
Most energizing NYC art experience: If you have not experienced Charles Gaines “Moving Gates” on Governors Island, it should be on top of your list. Hurry up, it is open until June 2023. This was one of the most moving art experiences I have had!
Fave NYC art pilgrimage: I love the free public art in NYC. Some of my favorites are best viewed with a cappuccino in hand: Pablo Picasso’s “Bust of Sylvette” at NYU Silver Towers on Bleecker Street; the Keith Haring mural at Carmine Recreation Center’s outdoor pool; and the massive minimalist “Gateway to Soho” wall sculpture on the corner of Houston and Broadway by Forrest Myer.
Most anticipated event for NY art week: There are too many to choose from! That said, you need your arty outfits to stand out from all black/minimally dressed gallerists, right? So here is your chance to get one: on May 24 from 5- 8pm at Housing Works Thrift Store in Chelsea I’ll be at “Caftans & Cocktails,” a shopping soiree benefiting New Yorkers living with HIV + AIDS plus LGBTQ advocacy. One evening of shopping for all your art event outfits with DJ Lady Bunny on the turntables. It does not get any better!
Most anticipated fair booths (at any fair): I am going to be shamelessly biased here! KATES-FERRI PROJECTS will be participating in two Art Fairs. At Future Fair we will have a solo presentation of artworks by Kevin Sabo: Mason Sabo. Then, at 1:54 NY Contemporary African Art Fair, we will have a duo presentation with artworks by Turiya Magadlela and Rudy Shepherd, titled He Said, She Said. See you there!
In 5 words: why do you ♥️ NY: Energy, Style, Culture, Self-Invention, Creativity.
It’s all about the “New York State of Mind” (that is 5 words too, isn’t it?)
Courtesy of Natalie Kates
ALICIA PARKER
Chief Marketing Officer, Managing Director, Tishman Speyer
A mind behind putting Midtown back on the map? Alicia Parker, the Tishman Speyer marketing ace who’s also helped put many an artist into Tishman Speyer’s public spaces.
Recommendations
Can’t Miss Institutional Show:
If you haven't been to the new Gilder Center at the Museum of Natural History, it needs to vault to the top of your list right now. It's not quite a show, because (lucky for all of us) it is a permanent space and a new entrance to this already-legendary institution. The Museum is already a crown jewel of the city, of course, but Studio Gang, have brought it into the 21st century. When you walk in, you're in a light-filled atrium that is extraordinarily beautiful and very striking, but I love it because it's also easy to navigate, and makes viewing the exhibits an even more compelling experience. As a New Yorker and a parent, I'm always looking for that combination. We partnered with Jeanne Gang and the Studio Gang team on two of our residential properties, MIRA in San Francisco and 11 Hoyt in New York, and I know firsthand the care, consideration, and distinctive point of view they bring to every project, and I love seeing it in this context.
NYC Art Pilgrimage:
This one is easy, because I spend a huge number of my waking hours at the city's best outdoor public art museum: Rockefeller Center. There are upwards of 100 permanent works across campus, many of which are literally part of the buildings themselves—all you have to do is look up. My favorite is still Noguchi's breathtaking stainless-steel relief News on the facade of 50 Rockefeller Plaza.
But we also show emerging artists now three times a year via a strong partnership with Art Production Fund; Basil Kincaid just opened and you must take a minute to see the artist's quilt-based work throughout the Center, from tiny vitrines to a 125-foot mural beneath 45 Rockefeller Plaza. Christie's is on campus and I go there regularly to see what they are exhibiting in advance of their next major sale. We also have a strong legacy of bringing monumental sculpture to the Center, so really wherever you look, there's art in your viewfinder. And the best part is you can rest with a bite and a drink at one of the new restaurants on the redesigned Rink Level—like NARO, Jupiter, or Five Acres--before continuing your journey.
Most energizing NYC Art Experience:
Stepping into the Swiss Institute on the Lower East Side always gives me energy. They show contemporary artists whose work always challenges me intellectually in an amazing way, and excellent programming for all ages.
Place to catch your breath during Art Week:
If I am looking to get a few steps away from Frieze and still immerse myself in art, the lobby of The Spiral at 66 Hudson Boulevard is where I'm going. We have been on a mission across our global portfolio to really reinvent the traditional office lobby to make it welcoming, thoughtfully designed, and comfortable, and this is one of my favorites. Studio DRIFT has an extraordinary kinetic piece in the lobby which I could gaze at for hours and just relax! If I really have some extra time, I’ll take the elevator to the 66th floor to the Clubhouse space, which takes hospitality to the next level with unbelievable design, comfort and views. We recently hosted Ulla Johnson's latest show a floor below with those views in the background and it was unreal.
In 5 words: why do you ♥️ NY:
Constant energy. Amazing people. Culture!
Artists Who Define NYC Now
Kennedy Yanko, Zoe Buckman, Derrick Adams, Jill Magid, Angel Otero, Sarah Meyohas, Timothy Paul Meyers. I love exploring different media and even just this handful takes us across painting, sculpture, photography, performance. . .sometimes I pinch myself that we have such a rich community of contemporary artists exploring new frontiers in literally every genre.
Artists Who Define NYC Then
At first: Warhol, Basquiat, Haring. When I was growing up in Nebraska, they embodied a kind of impossible cool and an aesthetic and vision that made me want to be in New York in the first place. But the artists I subsequently discovered are women--Barbara Kruger and Louise Bourgeois—whose work I think about all the time. They are feminist icons who charted a path for so many other artists today.
Most anticipated fair booth:
Mendes Woods
Courtesy of Alicia Parker