COURTESY ON STELLAR RAYS
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
Opening: “Facing East: Chinese Urbanism in Africa” at Storefront for Art and Architecture
Did you know that China’s architectural influence is on the rise in Africa? Journalist Michiel Hulshof and architect Daan Roggeveen have created an exhibition that explores the many recent changes in cities on the African continent—new highways, light rail systems, Special Economic Zones, mass housing developments, even entire new skylines that have been “made in China.” These modifications have been designed by Chinese architecture firms, built by Chinese contractors, financed by Chinese banks, and involve materials sourced straight from China. The show chooses to focus on personal stories of those affected by this rapid urbanization, however, presenting visitors with a more impactful sense of the overarching displacement of geopolitical power.
Storefront for Art and Architecture, 97 Kenmare Street, 7—9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Opening: JJ PEET at On Stellar Rays
This exhibition’s title, “MAGiCSTANCE,” “refers to the idea that when a viewer is alert, aware, and attuned to a greater consciousness, unexpected connections and coincidences are more likely,” according to a press release. The artist is exhibiting new works from his Stilifes series of sculptures created from found objects and built elements (specifically ceramics), which often serve as allegorical representations of global and political events. As the release explains, “PEET takes on a form of guerilla journalism–gathering information and evidence of the socio-political climate that is contemplated and reassembled in the studio—in an attempt to make sense of the chaotic and violent experiences of individuals on our planet.”
On Stellar Rays, 1 Rivington Street, 6—8 p.m.
Opening: Albert Oehlen at Gagosian Gallery
As an annex to the New Museum’s Albert Oehlen exhibition, titled “Home and Garden,” Gagosian Gallery will show some of Oehlen’s work, too. There are few details available about the show, which will be held at their Park Avenue location.
Gagosian Gallery, 821 Park Avenue, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
COURTESY DENNY GALLERY
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
Opening: Michael Mandiberg at Denny Gallery
“From Aaaaa! to ZZZap!” will feature work from Michael Mandiberg’s Print Wikipedia series, for which the artist and programmer wrote software that “parses the entirety of the English-language Wikipedia database and programmatically lays out thousands of volumes, complete with covers, and then uploads the for print-on-demand.” Essentially, Mandiberg has undertaken an antiquated reversal of the digitization process, giving the world print editions of Wikipedia. Denny Gallery will be open 24/7 during the first weekend of the upload process to lulu.com (a print-on-demand website), though the whole project will take between eleven and fourteen days.
Denny Gallery, 261 Broome St, open continuously from 6 p.m. June 16 —6 p.m., June 21 with daily hours (11 a.m.—6 p.m.) thereafter
Talks and Performances: “Diverse Works, Collective Communities: Honoring Arnold Lehman” at the Brooklyn Museum
As Arnold Lehman prepares to leave his post as director, the Brooklyn Museum will honor him with a night of pop-up artist talks and performances. Many of the artists involved have pieces on view in “Diverse Works, 1997–2015,” an exhibition that celebrates the art that Lehman acquired in his time at the museum. Among the artists who will speak and perform at this event are Kiki Smith, Faith Ringgold, and the Guerrilla Girls.
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. The event is free with museum admission
Opening: Nikholay Bakharev at Julie Saul Gallery
Nikholay Bakharev’s second solo show at Julie Saul Gallery, titled “The People of Town N,” features more of the self-taught Russian photographer’s black-and-white pictures. Playing on questions of what is acceptable in society, the Russian artist presents images of Russian bathers that would have been banned in his homeland.Two videos by Bakharev, who had a solo show at the Venice Biennale in 2013, will also be included in the show.
Julie Saul Gallery, 535 West 22nd Street, 6–8 p.m.
COURTESY PIONEER WORKS
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Performance: Borbetomagus, Das Audit, Dead Moon, J Mascis curated by Issue Project Room at Pioneer Works
Legendary Oregon-based DIY garage-rock/punk/country band Dead Moon is headlining this showcase of performers J Mascis, Borbetomagus, and Das Audit, who embody a similar grungy ethos.
Pioneer Works, 159 Pioneer Street, Brooklyn, 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5 p.m.) Tickets $25, $18 members/students, $0 all-access
Opening: “The Royal Hunt: Courtly Pursuits in Indian Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metaphorical devices abound in this showcase of Indian royal imagery of the hut, featuring popular themes of power and martial prowess in images of rulers pursuing prey. The exhibition features works from the museum’s department of Asian art, as well as loans from the department of Islamic art, and the department of arms and armor—an excellent opportunity to study recognizable works more closely.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, 10 a.m.—5:30 p.m.
COURTESY BAM
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
Screening: Here Come the Videofreex at BAM
As part of BAMcinemaFest, Here Come the Videofreex will screen ahead of its theatrical release. The documentary is about the Videofreex, an avant-garde video collective that used Sony’s first portable camera to shoot countercultural activity during the late ’60s and ’70s. Videofreex members and the film’s directors will participate in a Q&A after the screening, which is also the New York premiere of the documentary.
BAM, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $16/$11