Gallery Insider: The Opening Trail 4/17-4/18

Spring is officially here, which means that it’s Opening season in NYC’s art world. Chelsea’s streets will be filled on Thursdays and Fridays with art lovers, scenesters, and people watchers all trying to see as much art (and drink as much free booze) as they can with in a two-hour window. Our Gallery Insider is an anonymous gallery employee, and she’s here to give you the inside scoop on where to go and what (and who) to see each week. After the jump, check out her recommendations for Thursday, 4/17, and Friday, 4/18.

(Photo courtesy of minicloud)

Thursday April 17th

Yoko Ono, “Touch Me”, at Galerie Lelong, 528 West 26th Street, 6-8 pm

Yes, that Yoko Ono. Ono has had a decades-long and very influential career. Her work is feminist and conceptual, playful and whimsical. Her new show centers around the “female experience”-always a loaded topic. In 1965 Ono staged a performance, “Cut Piece”, where audience members were invited to come on stage and cut her clothing. A video of the performance, as well as a new work commenting on the original piece, will be shown in the new show. You’ll just have to go to see how the original performance turned out. If you have a bit of an open mind, Ono keeps you asking questions and should be a good scene.

Paul Winstanley, at Mitchell-Innes & Nash, 534 West 26th Street, 6-8 pm

This will probably be a quieter show, but if you’re into painting and realism, this is your spot. Winstanley has impeccable technique along the lines of our old favorite, Johannes Vermeer, and will be showing paintings of misty landscapes and eerily empty interiors.

Yinka Shonibare, MBE, “Prospero’s Monsters”, at James Cohan Gallery, 533 West 26th Street, 6-8 pm

Shonibare’s work always does a good job of insightful cultural critique while remaining impressive and beautiful. The centerpiece of this show will be a spectacular giant shipwreck referencing Theodore Gericault’s 1819 painting, “The Raft of the Medusa” and Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. This show will be heavy on drama, and if you remember anything from your history, literature, or art classes, your ability to identify the plentiful historical references will impress your friends.

Friday April 18th

Elizabeth Peyton at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, 620 Greenwich Street, 6-8 pmThis is sure to be the best scene of the night: not only do Peyton’s brushy watercolors beautifully capture all those who are hip, languid, and beautiful, but she and her gallery are a major draw for a fun young crowd. Considering there are few galleries around this one, you might make this your only gallery stop of the night: as is always the case with gallery openings, the earlier you get there, the greater the likelihood that there will still be free alcohol to be had.

As an alternative, don’t forget that every Friday from 4-8 pm MoMA is free– bypass that pesky $20 admission charge for great art in a beautiful space.