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By luke kurtis in December 2005 It seems like you can find a little bit of Yoko Ono almost everywhere these days. For the already initiated, we know that's a wonderful thing; for the less familiar, you don't know what you're missing! For those who are able to visit gallery district of Manhattan's Chelsea, there is currently the opportunity to see a small bit of Ono. Two works by Ms. Ono are featured in the show currently in the main space at Andrea Rosen Gallery. Yoko has one new piece in the show: On
line (2005) This
work is new and available for sale. Only one of the 11 drawings is on view at
any given time, but they do rotate the different pieces. If you speak with the
attendant, you should be able to take a look at the other works. They kindly assisted
me and showed me the other 10 drawings that were not on view. And there is one older piece in the show: "Piece for
Nam June Paik No. 1", March 27, 1964 I highly recommend this show. The Ono content is merely a bonus for an already very engaging installation. It can be a bit overwhelming as there are literally hundreds of works presented in a very small space. You will find numerous pieces by many of the biggest names from throughout the 20th century. The show is virtually a "Who's Who" of modern/contemporary art and well worth your time and effort. Down
the street at the Luhring Augustine gallery you will find "The Art of Chess".
This show is in conjunction with "The Imagery of Chess Revisited" at
The Noguchi Museum (an exhibition exploring and reprising the 1944-45 exhibition
"The Imagery of Chess" that was mounted by Duchamp and Ernst). While
Ono is not to be found in either of these shows, fans will no doubt appreciate
the theme and the opportunity to explore what artists were doing with chess sets
both before and since Ono's "Play it by Trust".
(Do note that Barbra Krueger's contribution to the "Art of Chess" show
is not yet on view, as she has not submitted it to the gallery. What a disappointment
this was for me, as-next to Ono-Ms. Krueger ranks among my favorites.) As an aside, if your schedule allows and you want to venture into something unrelated to Ono, walk to the south side of 24th street and visit Zach Feuer Gallery. Tamy Ben-Tor's exhibition "Exploring the Domain of Idiocy" is on view. I highly recommend the artists's performance "Exotica, The Rat and The Liberal", which is presented live in the gallery every Friday and Saturday at 4pm. To venture forth for more Ono, slightly farther south is the excellent Printed Matter which has recently opened in its brand new home on 10th avenue. This store should be quite familiar to any New York art punk. There's almost always something Ono to be found. Last summer Printed Matter even hosted Ono's "Editions Ephemera and Printed Works" show. Their front window currently displays Yoko's "Imagine Peace" pin. Inside you'll find the 2003 birthday edition of "Box of Smile" on display (and available for purchase). Be sure to check the shelves for any other Ono material, as stock in this store can and does constantly change. Visiting the galleries in Chelsea is often a hit or miss experience. There's a glut of art out there and it can be hard to find work that truly appeals to you. Currently there are several shows-beyond what I have mentioned here--worth your time. I encourage you to take this as a starting point and branch out on your own to see what else is out there. Art is a journey not a destination.
October 28-January 14, 2005
28
October - 23 December 2005 21
October 2005 - 5 March 2006
17 November
2005 - 14 January 2006 Printed
Matter, Inc.
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