MONDAY, APRIL 20
Party: The Whitney Inaugural Dinner
The day has come. After decades of abandoned plans, thwarted expansions, space limitations and slow construction, the glistening ship-shaped new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art is set to opens on the banks of the Hudson. Monday’s gala kicks off a week of events to let the elite feast their eyes on the sweeping vistas of the
The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, 7:00 p.m., invitation only
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
Opening: “Alexander Calder: MULTUM IN PARVO” at Dominique Levy
Maybe you’ve seen some tiny Calders, but have you seen the tiniest Calder? The new show by the maestro of the mobile lives up to its title—it’s Latin for “much in little”—by featuring a work that’s just over one inch tall. The entire show consists of small Calders, arranged in a space by Santiago and Gabriel Calatrava.
Dominique Levy, 909 Madison Avenue, New York, 6-8 p.m., invitation only
Talk: David Levine on Bruce Nauman at the Dia Art Foundation.
Dia has been hosting a particularly well-chosen series of artist-on-artist talks, and this one should be no exception. David Levine is a wonderful artist and Bard professor who has charmed and wowed me many times over, especially with Habit, his play-slash-installation held on Essex Street in 2012. And he also co-wrote the absolutely hilarious exegesis of International Art English for Triple Canopy—it’s a must-read, a dry and unparalleled takedown of the art-speak of gallery show press releases. Whatever he has to say on Nauman is worth listening to.
Dia Art Foundation, 535 W. 22nd Street, New York, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Opening: Dancing Foxes Benefit Exhibition at Bridget Donahue
Go support the small local publisher Dancing Foxes Press by stopping by this big group show at Bridget Donahue, the new gallery from the former director at Gavin Brown’s enterprise. Ms. Donahue curated the show alongside Jacob King, and it includes works by artists such as Joan Jonas, Richard Serra, Cindy Sherman, Wade Guyton and Lawrence Weiner. Try to buy something. Small independent presses are important.
Bridget Donahue, 99 Bowery, 2nd Floor, New York, 12-6 p.m.
Talk: Antoon Melissen and David Leiber on Jan Schoonhoven
Continuing with its well-received Art Book Series, the New York Public Library has invited two authorities on the Dutch artist Jan Schoonhoven to come and discuss his life and work to coincide with the publication of a new catalog of his works. Antoon Melissen is an Amsterdam-based professor who has scholarship included in the new book, and David Leiber is a director at David Zwirner, the gallery that presented a show of Schoonhoven’s works earlier this year.
The New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, 6-8 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Opening: “Brent Wadden” at Mitchell-Innes and Nash
The Canadian artist just joined the Mitchell-Innes & Nash roster last year, and for his first show with the gallery—and his first solo show in New York—he’s putting up eight of his woven paintings.
Mitchell-Innes & Nash, 534 W. 26th Street, New York, 6-8 p.m.
Opening: “Cy Twombly” at Gagosian Gallery
Longtime Gagosian Gallery artist Cy Twombly was fairly productive in the last decade of his life, and his dealer has staged many a show of his brilliant final works. This new batch of paintings and sculptures includes works that have never been seen before.
Gagosian Gallery, 980 Madison Avenue, New York, 6-8 p.m.
Talk: A Conversation between Lil Buck and Keith Haring at the New Museum
The jookin’ king of the world will bring his fancy footwork, which has managed to thoroughly captivate the art world, to the New Museum, where he’ll commune with the ghost of Keith Haring and blow minds with his dancing.
The New Museum, 235 Bowery, New York, 6:30 p.m., ticketed
Performance: Emily Sundblad at The Kitchen
Reena Spaulings Fine Art high priestess Emily Sundblad will take over the upstairs at one of the city’s finest art spaces to rehearse a performance that will have its actual premiere later this year. The aspect of practice is what really intrigues me here. You can stop by over the course of a few days and see how it’s all coming together.
The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th Street, New York, 12-6 p.m.
Opening: “Lisa Yuskavage” at David Zwirner
The latest show from the Philadelphia-born, New York-based artist at Zwirner coincides with the first season of The Artist Project, an ambitious web series put on by The Met. Go check out both, probably!