THE 190 BOWERY OPENING WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Well, apparently a LOT of people turned up last evening for the chance to see the inside of 190 Bowery and take a peek at the Aby Rosen & Vito Schnabel group exhibition, First Show/Last Show. I didn’t even bother because I started to see an avalanche of press and heard that they were trying to call the whole thing off. And that’s exactly what happened, according to artnet, the show… 

“has been abruptly closed to the public for reasons unknown.”

Well, I can guess one reason; fear. 

“The show will be open by appointment May 18 – 29, Monday through Friday from 12-6 p.m. Closed Memorial Day. Please respond with your requested time and we will do our best to accommodate you.”

You have to RSVP here.

The original invitation didn’t require an RSVP and the Observer had pointed out:

Titled First Show/Last Show, Schnabel’s exhibition brings the work of seven auction-approved white male artists together under the cryptic rubric that their art “immediately conveys its significance,” a super power that is obviously absent from any artwork authored by a woman or a person of color.

I can see how people could see that as bad, and even though it’s not by any means “diverse”, not every show is curated with political correctness in mind. But saying this was “open to the public”, as are most art gallery exhibits, and then taking it back, really doesn’t sit well with the public. We may never get a peek inside… that is until the ground floor is leased to Duane Reade. No word on who that tenant might actually be, but if Aby wants it to be an art gallery, this is the worst kind of PR. I'd still like to see the show... might have to RSVP.

(Photo, Scuba Diva; via EV Grieve)

A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY EXHIBIT INSIDE THE CITY'S MOST SECRETIVE RESIDENCE

The building has been a private residence of photographer <strong>Jay Maisel</strong> for the past 5 decades. The 72-room, 35,000-square-foot, that Maisel bought for $102,000 and sold last year for a reported $55 million to developer <strong>Aby Rosen</strong> won't be cleaned of decades of graffiti, as the  Landmarks Commission approved a plan to keep it in its new life. But unless you happen to talk your way past the security guard, getting inside 190 Bowery is next to impossible. But for one night only, the front doors will swing open, offering a glimpse of one of the Lower East Side’s most fascinating landmarks. In April, a creative agency leased the upper floors, while brokers continue to seek a tenant for 4500 sq. ft. on the ground floor. This coming Saturday, Rosen and art dealer (the boyfriend of Heidi Klum and son of artist Julian Schnabel) Vito Schnabel are hosting an art opening there. 

Vito Schnabel is pleased to announce the opening of First Show / Last Show, a group exhibition at 190 Bowery on May 16, 2015. Featured artists include Joe Bradley, Dan Colen, Jeff Elrod, Ron Gorchov, Mark Grotjahn, Harmony Korine, and Julian Schnabel. 

“The artists included in First Show / Last Show are seven of my favorite painters. I have had the privilege of living with some of their works and have long wanted to show them together. There are very few artists whose work immediately conveys its significance, like each of these seven. They represent three generations of great American contemporary art, ranging in age from 35 to 85.

I grew up in New York City, walking by the former Germania Bank countless times. I always wanted to go inside, thinking it might be a perfect place for an exhibition. This is the first time this 1899 landmark building will be open to the public since the bank closed in 1966 and it became a private residence.I am most grateful to Aby Rosen for letting me use this space and for his continued support. I’d also like to thank the artists, all of whom I am honored to be able to work with. Joe, Dan, Jeff, Ron, Mark, Harmony, and Julian—thank you.

Step inside the landmark tomorrow night, from 5 to 8 PM. It’ll look a little different, for sure, but here are some photos of its former life, as one of the largest private residences in New York City.

(Photos, Leigh Davis; via The Lowdown)