By Katarina Hybenova
We are taking it by subway stops. That was a decision when wondering how we could possibly write a guide to Bushwick Open Studios 2012. Over 540 participating locations aren’t easy to cover. Here is what we won’t miss off the Morgan L stop:
#1 The Bogart Salon: Isha A Tell All Tale
You can either hate or love the 56 Bogart building filled up to the edge with galleries and studios, but you certainly can’t miss it when strolling through BOS2012 participating art spaces. We promise an unlikely art and cultural experience at The Bogart Salon. Meenakshi Thirukode, Peter Hopkins and the crew will be filming a Bollywood style soap opera about the art world and the perils of a young woman, right there on the set in the gallery.
#2 Robert Henry Contemporary
Robert Henry Comtemporary is a brand new gallery at 56 Bogart. When in the building go check out their inaugural show Centuries of Noon by Andrew Zarou. (Wink wink – keep your eye on Andrew Zarou. We predict some sparkles and stars shooting around him…)
#3 Carol Salmanson Studio
Carol Salmanson is a truly interesting artist who likes to use light, glass and electricity in her work. Her studio happens to be in 56 Bogart building, so check out her work.
#4 CRE8
On the 3rd floor of 56 Bogart building, visit CRE8. CRE8 features visual art from resident artists, Modesto Flako Jimenez among other. Modesto is a Bushwick-raised poet and cabbie in his spare time. This super-smart and super-talkative guy talks about gentrification in his art. He created a documentary to be featured during BOS that everyone should see!
#5 This Is So Fucking Temporary
There is a lot going on at McKibbin lofts as well. Make sure you don’t miss Daniel Greer’s surrealistic posters, large scale drawings, music and readings on Friday and Saturday nights.
#6 Centotto
Take a quiet moment from BOS insanity and visit Centotto, Paul D’Agostino’s apartment gallery across the street from Roberta’s. Paul has prepared an exhibition that looks really beautiful and features Austin Thomas, Meg Lipke, Josh Willis, Gili Levy, Cecco Angiolieri, and Charting the Not.
#7 Rafael Fuchs Studio
L’enfant terrible of contemporary photography, local icon, and a very sociable man of Israeli origin has his studio on Bogart Street right above Swallow Cafe. Pay him a visit and let him tell you all about Bushwick since he moved here in 2005.
#8 Bushwick Dimensions
Jean Luc Van Damme invites you to explore a survival game played on the streets of Bushwick!! Visit BushwickDimension.com on your smartphone and start playing now!
#9 Brooklyn Fire Proof Film Series
Over at Brooklyn Fire Proof they have prepared a film festival consisting of old and new films celebrating life. This could be a nice change of festival pace. Visit The Seltzer Room Studio 3 Screening Lounge.
#10 Gili Levy
While at Brooklyn Fire Proof complex, visit artists’ studios located there. Gili Levy will be showing her gentle abstract paintings and welcoming guests.
#11 Ethan Petit Contemporary
Ethan Petit Contemporary is a brand new gallery in Bushwick that will open during BOS2012 for the 1st time. In their innaugural group show Ethan Petit will feature many of our favorite local artists.
#12 The Living Gallery
One of the very new galleries and art spaces in Bushwick, The Living Gallery, is located in The Loom. Nyssa Frank is hosting photographer Meryl Meisler who collaborated with writer Vanessa Martir. Defying Devastation will be an exhibition that is an absolute must if you’re interested in Bushwick and its history. Vanessa Martir grew up in the streets of Bushwick in the ’80s when Meryl Meisler used to take photos in the streets. As it turns out, Meryl took a picture of Vanessa as a child playing in the street, and Vanessa learned about the existence of this picture through Bushwick Daily. We will bring more on this fascinating encounter on Bushwick Daily soon.
#13 Storefront Bushwick
All-time favorite gallery in a storefront on Wilson Ave, Storefront Bushwick will bring works by Abdolreza Aminlari and a sculpture by Drew Shiflett. Abdolreza is a an artist of Iranian origin explores ideas of cultural memory and identity, specifically the idea of “home” in relation to the Iranian Diaspora.
#14 Two Coats of Paint
The founder of the blog Two Coats of Paint, painter Sharon Butler has recently moved her studio to Bushwick. Additionally, she invited Austin Thomas of Pocket Utopia to curate a painting show there for BOS.
#15 Truck Yeah
Truck Yeah Meet Up is a very cool project whose goal is to transform any location into a creative gathering. Visit Pine Box Rock Shop on Saturday and Sunday and have fun!