If you’re out and about at the art fairs in Manhattan this weekend, and still haven’t had the New York Close Up marathon viewing experience yet, then you’re in luck. The (almost) entire series is going to be shown multiple times at NADA New York & Cutlog.
The good folks at NADA New York – now at Pier 36, between the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges along the East River - will be screening project films throughout the public run of the fair, from 10AM Friday May 10 to 5PM Sunday May 12. Check out the monitors in the upper mezzanine level for the infinite loop. Admission is free. And while you’re there, you can also see the work of New York Close Up artist David Brooks; he’s suspended sections of his monumental “Desert Rooftops” public artwork (featured in the episode David Brooks Tears the Roof Off.)
And at New York-debuting art fair Cutlog, at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center in the Lower East Side, there’s two big viewing opportunities. On Saturday, an indoor marathon screening from 10:30-2:30PM in the Little Theater. And better yet (but weather pending of course) on Sunday night, an outdoor night screening in the back parking lot from 8PM to Midnight. And better, better yet, my producing partner Wesley Miller and myself will be giving a talk before the Sunday night screening, at 7PM.
Hey, intrepid New York City art fair-goers: if you’re taking a break from the Armory Show or are hanging around Chelsea for SCOPE, and have the completely understandable desire to watch every New York Close Up film to date (including trailers!), then drop by the Big Screen Plaza at 30th Street and 6th Avenue. It’s between 1 and 4 p.m. this Saturday, March 9. Hang out in the courtyard (actually looks like the weather may not be too bad) or better yet in the Eventi Hotel’s second floor bar/restaurant Humphrey Lounge (it overlooks the plaza.) Rest your legs, grab a bite to eat, and watch all your favorite New York artists on the big, beautiful outdoor screen. Or maybe just a couple of them. We won’t say anything.
New York Close Up just made good on one New Years resolution: see how we’re getting in better shape by checking out Tommy Hartung’s latest film, Tommy Hartung is Off and Running.
And I’m only partially joking. While Tommy jogged, yours truly shot all of the interview from my bike – one hand on the handlebars and the other cradling a GoPro Hero brand camera. It’s that little box Tommy is wearing on his head in the above pic. Super compact and HD-capable, it’s become the go-to camera for any reality show car interior shooting (and the various real housewives are incessantly in their cars.) It’s also become a standard part of the New York Close Up production tool kit. Shooting POV in tight spaces? Check. See the spray painting shots in Keltie Ferris Spray Paints in Solitude. Time lapse? Check. Watch Eddie Martinez’s antic moments in the Year Two Trailer.
And for don’t-try-this-at-home-I-am-a-professional mobile interviews we’ve got this latest episode. The trickiest part wasn’t keeping Tommy in frame but not totally wiping out over the insidiously varied Queens terrain Tommy ran us thru. From Ridge potato chip-like residential streets in Ridgewood to the uphill/downhill/dirt/sand/gravel/manure combination paths of Forest Park. Fortunately no one was seriously injured in the production of this film. But it was damn close.
CAPTION: Artist Tommy Hartung in Forest Park (Queens, 09.11.12.) Production still from the series “New York Close Up” © Art21, Inc. 2013. Cinematography by Ian Forster.
is one of Keltie Ferris’ paintings from her latest exhibition at Mitchell-Inness & Nash (Chelsea, Manhattan.) And maybe while he’s at it, Santa can throw in an Eddie Martinez work from his recent three-person show at Zach Feuer (also in Chelsea.) Both New York Close Up artists are making big, hot, gorgeous abstractions at the moment. And both shows are up til January 12.
CAPTION: ++++****)))) by Keltie Ferris (2012.) Oil, acrylic and pastel on canvas. 80 by 100 in.
No doubt many of you are aware of the damage Hurricane Sandy wrought on a significant number of Chelsea galleries. Maybe a little less publicized but no less important (or sad) was the damage done to the Smack Mellon residency program in DUMBO. It was bad. Per the Smack Mellon website – ”all the aritsts’ studios were flooded with six feet of water, destroying all contents including their artwork. And the studio program’s media lab, kitchen, and wood shop also sustained severe damage.”
Fortunately, Smack Mellon resident – and New York Close Up artist – Shana Moulton came out relatively unscathed; she lost her work space there, but her art (video media especially) was safe at home.
And even more fortunately, the good folks at Art Fag City are dedicating this year’s Wienerfest & Fundraiser to Smack Mellon’s recovery efforts. It’s this Sunday December 16, 3 to 7PM at Postmasters in Chelsea. Fifty percent of full price ticket sales will go to Smack Mellon relief.
So if you’ve got the cash, Smack Mellon could really use your help. Thanks.
