One of the greatest gifts New York City has to
offer is its burgeoning art scene that’s constantly being revived with
intellectual and intriguing exhibitions at its many world renowned museums galleries,
and other institutions. Here are the Top Ten shows to see this month:
1. The Hirschfeld Century: The Art of Al
Hirschfeld—Known to many to be one of the most prominent caricature artists
of the 20th century, Al Hirschfeld brilliantly captured the distinct
personalities of many of the biggest names in show business from the stage to
the screen with his famous line drawings. This exhibition offers more than 100
works from his career spanning eight decades. At The New York Historical Society, 170
Central Park West, through Oct. 12.
2. Picasso’s
Le Tricorne—What is believed to be
Picasso’s largest work of art ever created—a painted theater curtain for a
ballet—is unveiled to the public for a special exhibit. The ballet, Le
Tricorne (also known as “The Three Cornered Hat”) premiered in London in
1919, and Picasso was commissioned to design and paint the curtain which was
displayed in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in the Seagram Building in New
York for more than 50 years. At The New York Historical Society, 170
Central Park West, through Summer 2016.
3. Revolution of the
Eye: Modern Art and the Birth of American Television—This exhibition pays
homage to the pop culture of American television in the 1950s and 1960s by
presenting several posters that illustrate avant-garde ideals. These include
works by many prominent modern artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein,
Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray among others. At The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave.,
through Sept. 27th.
4. Leighton’s Flaming
June—On loan from the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, British artist
Frederic Leighton’s 1895 oil on canvas painting of a woman sleeping, curled up
on a sofa wearing a bright orange gown makes. Leighton’s masterpiece is
accompanied by four full-length portraits by James McNeill Whistler as both
artists embraced the idea of creating “art for art’s sake.” At The Frick Collection, 1 E. 70th St., through
Sept. 13.
5. Kandinsky Gallery—This presentation of more than 150 paintings by
one of the greatest pioneers in abstract art consists of aesthetically pleasing
and insightful works spanning Vasily Kandinsky entire career from his
beginnings in Munich at the turn of the century through the final years of his
life in Paris. At The Guggenheim Museum,
1071 Fifth Ave., through Spring 2016.
6. Lorraine O’Grady: Art Is…---Lorraine O’Grady has received
widespread recognition and praise for her installations and performance art
revolving around notions of diaspora, hybridity, and black female subjectivity.
This exhibition offers several color photographs taken by others during the
September 1983 African American Day Parade in Harlem at which O’Grady rode on a
float with 15 others dressed in white with the words Art Is. . . displayed on a gilded frame at the top. At The Studio Museum, 144 W. 125th St., through Oct. 25.
7. Alice: 150 Years of Wonderland—To commemorate 150 years since the
publication of Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this special exhibition includes
the original manuscript coming from the British Library in London, accompanied
by original drawings, letters, rare editions, photographs, and other objects. At
The Morgan Library & Museum, 225
Madison Ave., through Oct. 11.
8. Life
Lines: Portrait Drawings from Dürer to Picasso—Focusing
on portrait drawings, this exhibition offers work spanning five centuries
ranging from artists such as Albrecht Dürer to Picasso. The drawings in this show are self-portraits or
portraits of the artists’ close friends or family members such as Dürer’s
portrait of his brother Endres to Picasso’s portrait of actress Marie Derval. At
The Morgan Library
& Museum, 225 Madison Ave., through
Sept. 8.
9. Lafayette’s Return: The Boy
General, the American Revolution, and the Hermione—As the title suggests, this exhibition focuses on
the story of Marquis de Lafayette’s journey to the American colonies in 1777 at
the ripe age of 20 aboard the Hermione ship, helping General George Washington
defeat the British army during the American Revolution before going back to
France only to return to America again in 1780 to help Washington defeat the
British in the Battle of Yorktown. At The New York Historical Society, 170
Central Park West, through Aug. 16.
10. Global Fashion Capitals—The museum located within the prestigious
Fashion Institute of technology presents a special exhibition exploring the
history and evolution of fashion in Paris, New York, Milan, and London while
introducing the latest trends of 16 others cities. The show offers signature
creations by Christian Dior, Mario Prada, Donatella Versace, Coco Chanel,
Alexander McQueen, and Vivienne Westwood among numerous others. At The Museum at FIT, 227 W. 27th
St., through Nov. 14.
