The 2006 Whitney Biennial: Day for Night
The Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue (at 75th Street)
(212) 570-3676
www.whitney.org
Wed & Thurs: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fri: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sat & Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Mon & Tues. Admission: Adults $12, Students & Seniors $9.
Fri 6 p.m. - 9 pm. pay what you wish.

The Whitney Museum embodies the nation's best collection of contemporary American art. Every two years it undertakes the major task of compiling and curating a biennial exhibit that surveys trends in contemporary art in terms of style, media and social statements.

Chrissie Iles, curator, Whitney Museum and Philippe Vergne, Chief Curator of Visual arts at the Walker Center in Minneapolis were chosen to co-curate this year's exhibit and have spent the last year studying the work of today's artists to identify those whose style, statement and achievements are most significant. Their combined expertise ensures that this exhibit, as each in the past, will be broad visioned and unique.

Upon arrival at the museum, visitors are met by a 50 foot Peace Tower erected in the sculpture court. The Peace Tower is a compilation of individual placards created by 180 artists and carries an anti war theme. "The anti war" theme is once again prevalent among artists - perhaps to the greatest degree since the Vietnam war says Philippe Vergne. It is thus fitting that this theme receive such primary focus in this year's exhibit.


Treasures of Olana: Landscapes by Frederic Edwin Church
February 9 - April 30, 2006
National Academy
1083 Fifth Avenue (89th Street)
(212) 369-4880
Wed & Thurs 12-noon - 5 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat & Sun 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Mon & Tues.

Born in 1826 to a wealthy family in Hartford, Connecticut, Frederic Edwin Church studied under Thomas Cole the founder of the Hudson River School of painting. Inspired by the panoramic beauty of the landscape which touched the shores of the Hudson River, Church built his estate, Olana to complement nature, creating views that are the source of many of his paintings. This exhibit consists of 18 works from his private collection and represents the first time that all eighteen have been exhibited together.

Edvard Munch: The Modern Life of the Soul
February 19 - May 8, 2006
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
11 West 53rd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)
(212) 708-9400
Sat - Mon: 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Wed & Thurs: 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.,
Fri: 10:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Closed Tuesday.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1880 -1944) has gained much notoriety as a result of the two art theft incidents involving two of his most renowned paintings of The Scream. One version, stolen from the National Art Museum in Oslo in 1994, was recovered only to be followed by the theft of a second version from the Munch Museum in Oslo in 2004. The whereabouts of the painting, valued at millions, remains unknown yet six suspects are currently on trial. In this extensive exhibit (87 paintings and 50 works on paper) the first retrospective devoted to Edvard Munch in nearly thirty years, we examine the development of the artist's style from Norwegian naturalism to modern existentialism.

Forever affected by the death of both his mother and his fifteen year old sister to tuberculosis, Munch struggled to cope with the demons that tormented him and to understand the most basic fundamentals of human existence: birth, love and death. Munch is quoted as having said " Illness, madness and death are the dark angels who watched over my cradle and have accompanied me throughout my life." This is evidenced quite clearly in his work much of which depicts fear; desolation and anxiety. The Scream, obviously missing from this collection conveys, in an expressionistic fashion developed by Munch, the drama and traumas that all men and women experience ,to one degree or another, at some point in our lives.

The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
Saturday May 28 - Monday May 30, Saturday June 4, and Sunday June 5
12-noon - 7pm, (212) 982-6255

Since 1931 in the midst of the depression, both struggling and up and coming artists have gathered for New York City's oldest juried art show, the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. Many have gone on to become household names. For many New Yorkers this outdoor art show marks the start of Spring. Oil on canvas, watercolors, sculptures and some mixed media collages line the streets from LaGuardia Place between Bleecker and West 4th and University Place between East 3rd and East 12th Street. If you are not too familiar with the area, just head down to the Washington Square arch - you will be right at the center of it.

William Wegman: Funney/Strange
March 10 to May 28, 2006
The Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 638-5000

Whether it be fashion, nature, landscapes, weddings or portraits, photographers have always tried to find a niche within their industry in which to make their mark. William Wegman has found a niche so specific that he has built a career that includes photographs, books, paintings, drawings and film. His unique subject matter are, of course, his famed weimaraner dogs. In this, the first retrospective in more than fifteen ears, we explore nearly forty years in the life of this versatile artist whose talents include painting photography, writing and video.

On March 26th at 3 p.m. Mr. Wegman's assistant, Andrea Beerman will give a gallery Talk on the exhibit. On April 22nd at 3 p.m. Wegman will discuss the exhibit as part of the museum's Artist Talks Series.



New York Antiquarian Book Fair
April 20-23, 2006

The Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue (66-67 Streets)
(212) 777-5218

After forty-six years this antiquarian book fair is the oldest in the country and the most prestigious in the world. One hundred eighty international dealers from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South America will present first editions, rare editions, special bindings, maps, manuscripts and music.



Triple Pier Antiques Show
March 18-19, 2006
Passenger Ship Terminal Piers
12th Avenue (50th - 55th Streets)
Admission $15


More than 500 exhibitors from the United States and around the world will display and sell a seemingly endless number of goods from fashion to furniture, glass, silver, porcelain, jewelry and decorative arts. This year all exhibits will be on two piers. Apparently recent construction renovations have increased the amount of usable space. In addition to the general public this show is known to draw celebrities and members of the fashion world looking for ideas for that next hot trend.