Wednesday, January 17, 6-8pm: Jennifer Guidi | Rituals at Gagosian

This new series of paintings that explore the sublime beauty of mountainscapes and the color spectrum, inspired by the artist’s deep connection to nature and her personal and artistic rituals. Developed through repetitive actions and processes, each painting emerges as if from a meditative journey, manifested through Guidi’s investigations of color, form, texture, and material.

These works evoke the rugged peaks that surround Los Angeles, where the artist lives and works. They resonate as well with the landscape of Provence in the South of France, where she recently presented a selection of paintings for Mountain Range, her 2023 exhibition at the Richard Rogers Gallery at Chateau La Coste in Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade. For these works, Guidi was inspired by the light and landscape unique to the region, along with the legacy of artists who worked there, notably Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Matisse.

Gagosian, 541 West 24^th Street, New York, NY Info

Thursday, January 18, 6-8 pm: Winter Exhibitions at Center for Book Arts

Center for Book Arts presents two new exhibitions—Exposition litteraire autour de Mallarmé curated by Michalis Pichlerand Hello Thank You Come In: 50th Anniversary Members Exhibition.

I am thrilled to be included in Hello Thank You Come In, joining this stellar group of book makers including Rosaire Appel, Biruta Auna, Roni Gross, Barbara Mauriello, and Buzz Spector, to name a few. My piece, a 20- page unique book that makes quite a bit of noise as the pages are turned, was done with Sumi ink on fine newsprint. The covers are Sumi ink on double layers of Japanese rice paper, glued together and ironed. You can see a video of the book here, and I hope you can join me for the opening tomorrow evening.

Center for Book Arts, 28 West 27^th Street, FL3, New York, NY Info

Friday, January 19, 6-8 pm: Library as Garden at Smush

This collaboration by Magali Duzant and Christina Labey explores the connection between humans and plants through the lens of the archive. In this arboreal-focused installation, the artists weave together plant specimens, watercolor studies, and anecdotal writing to infuse new life into historical archives. By casting trees as quiet observers of human history and pivotal figures in forging a sustainable future, the artists redirect our attention to the often-overlooked presence of nature in the urban landscape.

Also on view: Old School, New Worlds includes a reading room featuring artist books, works of literature, field guides, and other research materials used by the artists while developing their respective projects. The included books are the artists’ personal copies, with bookmarks and highlighted passages to invite the viewer deeper into their creative process. Interspersed among the books, botanical specimens and foraged objects will be on view—including branches, seedpods, bark samples, and live plants. For more information visit the Jersey Art Book Fair website. 

Smush Gallery, 340 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ Info

Saturday, January 20, noon: James Welling: Thought Objects, panel at Zwirner

In conjunction with his new exhibition, James Welling will host a panel discussion with writer and scholar Robert Slifkin, photographer Jeffrey Whetstone, and visual artist Miranda Lichtenstein. Above: James Welling, “Staircase, Villa Savoye,” 2020/2022; © James Welling, courtesy of the artist and David Zwirner.

Thought Objects presents new works that extend Welling’s ongoing investigation into what a photograph can be. Taking his long-standing interest in experimental procedures, such as 1960s psychedelic imagery, as a starting point, Welling expands his inquiry into how these historic analog processes can be modeled in the digital environment.

David Zwirner Gallery, 533 West 19^th Street, New York, NY RSVP  events@davidzwirner.com

Tuesday, January 23-Sunday, January 28: Animation First 2024 Festival at FIAf

Animation First is the only festival in the U.S. dedicated to showcasing the enduring legacy and trailblazing innovation of French and Francophone animation The seventh edition  of this beloved festival presents seven feature-length films (including three U.S. and three New York premieres), six short film programs, filmmaker talks, a first look presentation, virtual reality experiences, its annual Student Short Film Competition, and more. Above: Opening night feature: Mars Express

New for 2024 will be the premiere of an inaugural limited-edition Animation First series poster illustrated by artist Peter de Sève (available for sale at Posteritati and during the festival), an Animation Speak/Easy night, a juried competition of the new Francophone shorts programs, and a special focus on animated cinema from Quebec. With films for adults, teens, and kids, the festival is crafted to engage and entertain guests of various ages!

FIAF, 22 East 60^th Street, New York, NY Info

Deadline, January 31: Call for Art | City Canvas

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is seeking artists to transform the city’s nearly 400 miles of sidewalk sheds and construction fences — the dark green sheets of plywood that conceal the seemingly never-ending construction projects across the five boroughs. Applications are now open for the new City Canvas program, which will select designs to outfit building sites on vinyl or debris netting at the expense of property owners. Above: Artist Sophia Victor's "Brownsville Reflections: Past, Present, Future", image courtesy New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

The new program will allow businesses to either choose from a list of pre-approved designs or commission site-specific artworks directly from artists or through organizational partnerships (with approval from the DCLA). In both instances, property owners will front the bill for their displays. The DCLA suggests payments ranging from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the scope of the project.

Artists can apply for City Canvas through January 31. DCLA will select at least 10 creators, who will then receive $1,000 stipends to develop their designs.