Dalet Gallery 141 N. 2nd St. If the appearance of a full moon has eerie effects on the average earthling, just imagine what it can do to an artist. Better yet, come observe the impact of this mysterious force in “Lunar Arrangements,” a show that brings together the works of six compelling artists at the Dalet Gallery this First Friday. The exhibit features a wide array of media and techniques from Miruna Budistianu’s dynamic line–work to Julie Miller’s surrealist, Magritte–esque mixed–media compositions. Don’t let the brooding, monochrome quality of the works fool you — you will be illuminated.
— Inna Kofman
Jules Goldman Books and Antiques 29 N. 2nd St. It may seem to be outside of the conventional spectrum of minimalist, white–walled art galleries, but 30–year–old Jules Goldman Books and Antiques offers a different kind of exhibition space and an intriguing group show, “Modernists in Exile.” In a collection of works both abstract and representational, particularly notable are the pulsating, densely–patterned abstractions from Brian Gormley. His studio art derives from influences of greats like Keith Haring and Jean–Michel Basquiat, friends of his during the '80s, who brought graffiti inside and into critical focus. Along with the art, there’s an abundance of antique books, animal trinkets and old photographs to look through. So regardless of whether you’re looking to browse, study or buy, Jules Goldman has got it.
— Lin Zheng
Pentimenti Gallery 145 N. 2nd St. If you’re into lines, geometry and art, Pentimenti Gallery highlights two upcoming artists in solo shows and showcases their fascination with these concepts. Steven Baris’s show, “Stations of the Cube," takes "cubism" literally, using mixed media to explore space through cubes, while Kim Beck’s “Built Futures” engages with society’s fixation with “desire, stability and economic security” through architecture in both drawings and sculpture.
— Alexa Nicolas
Vox Populi 319 N. 11th St. If following the tail of the ass in front of you (think OCR, rush and pony rides) has you questioning the path of our society, then consider stepping out of line and into Vox Populi. An artist collective located near Pine and 11th, Vox Populi disallows indifference with its four latest exhibitions by guest artists Carl Ferrero, Erik Geschke, Ron Lambert, Brian Barr and Lauren Rice. Each uses wacky and familiar materials to create avant–garde forms, such as Geschke’s abstract sculpture constructed from 65 plastic human femur bones. Collectively, the exhibitions push the limits of normality, critiquing contemporary society through the use of unappreciated materials of everyday life.
— Kensey Berry
