New York is full of fun surprises and the weeks in view are no exception. Here are a few items you won’t want to miss:

Picasso Black and White opens today at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. An exciting look at an artist you thought you knew so well. By eliminating color from his palette, Picasso stripped bare his work and process to reach another level of creativity. The exhibition of 118 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper includes many pieces that fall more in the category of “drawing,” offering a banquet of food for thought for artists and illustrators. Extended hours, 10-8pm, most Sundays and Mondays for run of show at 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 79^th Street, NY, NY.

Last chance for Richard Misrach / Kate Orff | Petrochemical America. Closing day, Saturday, October 6, 10 am-6 pm. Aperture Gallery and Bookstore,  547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor, NY, NY.

Book launch and panel discussion, Thursday, October 11: The Where, The Why, and the How | 75 Artists Illustrate the Wondrous Mysteries of Science by Matt Lamothe, Julia Rothman, and Jenny Volvovski. Meet artists Jennifer Daniel, Matt Leines, and Josh Cochran (all AI-AP alums) and scientists Meehan Crist, Jessica Rothman, and Tim Requarth. The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY.

Paul Hoppe, Destinations, from Metagenda, a calendar project with Finest | Magma.

New York Comic Com 2012 roars into the Javits Center, October 11-14, with avatars, action heroes, and live stars in its wake. Hint: this year, be on the watch for Hobbits and SciFi Speed Dating. Information. Artist and DART subscriber Paul Hoppe just wrote to say that he’ll be in the Artist Alley in the North Pavilion this year. 

It’s time to register for PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2012, the largest photography event in the United States, taking place October 24-27 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Register. And this just in from Jeff Dunas about Portfolio Reviews: The Official Portfolio Review Program at PhotoPlus Expo is the largest and most comprehensive portfolio review program for professional and emerging photographers in the United States, featuring over 150 influential professionals from both the commercial and fine art realms of contemporary photography. Have your work reviewed and spend a day or two checking out all the latest gear from hundreds of PhotoPlus exhibitors as well as attend your choices of over 100 important seminars. Information.