May is one of the busiest times of the year to be in New York. We have Frieze New York, the Post-War and Impressionist and Modern Art sales, and spring exhibitions at galleries and museums throughout the city. After New York’s art season wraps up, everyone heads to Europe for Venice, documenta, Basel . . .
I work with The Cultivist—a global arts club—and on May 3 we’ll celebrate our two-year anniversary. Ever since the first one last year, our anniversary party is always a big event, capitalizing on so many of our New York and out-of-town members being here. This year, we will host a black-tie game night where we’ll be taking over a townhouse in the West Village. As you walk through various rooms, artists will interact with guests via interactive installations in the form of games, creating an immersive experience with a performative element. Another event I’m really looking forward to is the Dia Spring Gala on May 6, coinciding with the new exhibition opening at Dia:Beacon.
This year for Frieze Week, we put together full itineraries for our Cultivist members, in addition to organizing private tours of the various fairs. In a similar vein, as your guest editor, I’ve shared my favorite spots around the city, and highlighted which exhibitions I’m most looking forward to. There’s Anne Truitt at Dia:Beacon, Georgia O’Keeffe at the Brooklyn Museum, Rei Kawakubo/Commes des Garçons at The Met’s Costume Institute, and a group show at Almine Rech Gallery, one of my favorite galleries on the Upper East Side. My go-to places are Sant Ambroeus for brunch, my friend Claire’s boutique Fivestory for shopping, the D&D Building for apartment inspiration, Cha Cha Matcha for my caffeine fix, and the 28th Street flower market for the most beautiful flowers (pro tip: Everything is gone past 10 am).
Over the weekend, if you have time, I strongly suggest a trip to Storm King Art Center. But if you can’t manage to get out of the city, try and book a visit to Donald Judd’s apartment at 101 Spring Street, to see how the inspirational artist used to live.
It’s such a nice time of the year to be in New York—both for the arts and for the (usually) sunny weather.
For more, check out Whitewaller New York‘s spring 2017 edition.
