From avant-garde galleries to outdoor sculpture gardens, Brooklyn is now home to more than just bright young artists.
New York used to be the city that never sleeps; now it's the city that never stops—ever-evolving and always expanding, so much so that the neighborhoods you never went to are now the best ones to be in. And while midtown Manhattan may still have the edge in museums and hotels, it’s no match for Harlem's burgeoning food scene and Chelsea's fashion-forward clubs. These days, however, a trip to New York calls for at least one borough-hop—and why not make it Brooklyn?
Already beloved for its bearded hipsters and sublime pizzas, Brooklyn probably sustains more artists per square foot than the Venice Biennale. And yet for all the creative dynamism it houses, it seems that so much of the New York art scene thrives in Manhattan. Storied museums, blue-chip galleries, top-tier auction houses—all were born and raised on the island. But not anymore. Ever since galleries like Luhring Augustine and Microscope popped up in Bushwick, it’s become obvious: Art—weird and wonderful—is flourishing, and the borough has made that very, very obvious. Just look below its most famous icon to find Brooklyn Bridge Park, a longtime destination for public art in New York that showcases anything from irreverent sculptures of Jeppe Hein to the iconic OY/YO installed by Deborah Kass.
Ready to go indoors? Be polite and pay your respects at the 560,000-square-foot Brooklyn Museum, which opened its doors in 1895 and has been collecting antiquities and modern masterpieces ever since. Pop over to the Beaux-Arts behemoth to spy works from Mark Rothko, Georgia O’Keeffe, and more. And while you’re there, drop in to Agitprop—a new exhibit that’s bound to make waves.
Once you’ve visited the landmarks, get ready to embrace your inner—and very off-beat—hipster: You’re going to Bushwick. Have you ever wanted to watch the National for six hours and then brag about the experience to friends? If so, you should be excited about visiting Luhring Augustine. Ever since it opened an outpost in a warehouse in Bushwick in 2012, the gallery, which is based in Chelsea, has been presenting indie exhibits to discerning show-goers. Promise you this: It’ll give you and your friends something to talk about over turmeric tonics. While you’re around, seek out Signal, a teensy gallery that champions all mediums and focuses, in particular, boundary-pushing performance art. Amidst the grit and grime, it’s a zany gem.
Once you get to Microscope Gallery a few blocks away, keep on moving. Literally. Transfixed by works of movement and sound, the gallery shines a spotlight on multi-sensory works of art—visual, auditory, tactile. In other words? These are installations you want to see and experience in person. Among them is an exhibition of the works of Lisa Gwilliam and Ray Sweeten, which opened in January and will stick around through February. You'll want to be there, but if you miss it, no sweat: Microscope presents a weekly event series to underscore its creative perspective, which means you can catch up with the latest and greatest in performance art no matter what’s on view.
Find an even newer addition to the art landscape in William Arnold. Established just over a year ago, it’s already making an impression in the permanently jaded creative scene. For its first show, William Arnold celebrated Darja Bajagic and Jesse Stecklow. A solo show of the works of Renaud Jerez is up next. Be first in line for the hotspot that everyone is going to be talking about tomorrow.
Interested in a perennial favorite? Check out Pioneer Works, a spot from artist and downtown darlingDustin Yellin that has drawn critical acclaim. Yellin founded this organization in 2012, choosing an enormous former warehouse in Red Hook as the ideal address for playing host to art exhibitions, classes, and artist residencies. Bonus points: It survived Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and has since been renovated and restored to its original splendor. Catch “Flood”—a new exhibit from Charles Harlan on view now—until February 28.
Feeling inspired? Me, too, which is why it’s time to make some of our own masterpieces. A hybrid space,UrbanGlass is committed to all aspects of the art of glasswork. The non-profit has residencies for glassblowers, courses for hobbyists, and exhibits and events for the rest of us. As soon as you’ve toured the show-stopping installations at the Forte Greene center, you can head into the studio or sign up for a class to create your very own work of art. Meet you at the kiln?