Yesterday my daughter and I checked out the Pawel Arthamel exhibit at the New Museum. His work often invokes viewer participation and this show did not disappoint. The main attraction, for us anyway, was Draftman’s Congress, a huge white walled studio all set up with paints, chalk, crayons, aprons, a teepee, ladders and everything else one might need to get to work making art. Needless to say, it’s a kids’ paradise. But the best thing about it was watching the adults, especially the non-artists, begin to let loose, get their hands messy and create.
It was like going back to preschool, in the best of all possible ways. All about forging a sense of community through collective action.
I took tons of pictures…
A panoramic view of the whole room
Some of the materials waiting to be used…
Your apron is waiting…
Fellow artists
The teepee
I don’t even know what to say here…
Two friendly strangers filming each other filming each other. With their phones.
On the elevator door…
The show runs through April 13 and should not be missed. There are also films, sculptures and lots of things to read, listen to and think about if you are so inclined. And bring along both your inner and your actual children as they will all enjoy themselves immensely.
Pawel Althamer: The Neighbors
New Museum
235 Bowery (at Prince)
212-219-1222
newmuseum.org
