Yesterday I took an afternoon trip to the Lower East Side of Manhattan (LES). The neighborhood has a ton of history and has recently undergone yet another transformation. While it hasn't surpassed Chelsea as the center of the New York art universe, it is well on it's way.

There are a ton of new galleries in the area showing great work. When you combine this with the great vibe of the neighborhood (yes it still actually feels like a real place), it makes for the kind of neighborhood you actually want to spend an afternoon wandering through. There's real people doing real work, there are restaurants, shops, schools, residences and of course galleries.

Of the nearly 8-9 galleries I managed to visit in my travels (there are many more) the shows and atmosphere in 3-4 of them really stood out for me. My favorite stop yesterday was Collette Blanchard Gallery. I met Collette briefly at a party during Art Basel Miami Beach and she was as friendly yesterday as she was in Miami. The space is a beautiful, well lit two floor space complete with an outdoor patio in the rear. There's tons of natural light flooding the main gallery which is my favorite type of lighting. The on-going show is AARON HOBSON Cinemascapes: Close Quarter Panoramics. Open Ended Narratives. It's a solo exhibition of Aaron Hobson's recent panoramic photographs. The ten photographs span the past three years of the artist's work and will be on view from November 13 through December 31, 2008.

I also enjoyed my visits to Lehmann Maupin which presented a great show of works by the Japaneese artist Mr. He is one of several artists represented by Takshi Murakami's Kai Kai Ki Ki company. I also enjoyed DCKT Contemporary and Sunday L.E.S. and of course don't forget about The New Museum located at 235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 (212.219.1222). It serves as the anchor for the new gallery scene and more than holds it's own as one of New York's iconic art institutions.

Collette Blanchard Gallery
26 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002
917.639.3912
Wednesday - Sunday, 12-6
http://www.colletteblanchard.com/

New Museum
235 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
212.219.1222
http://www.newmuseum.org/

Sunday
237 Eldridge Street
South Storefront
New York, NY
10002 USA
http://www.sundaynyc.com/index.html

DCKT Contemporary
Dennis Christie & Ken Tyburski
195 Bowery, ground floor
New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212.741.9955
http://www.dcktcontemporary.com/

Lehmann Maupin (Bowery)
201 Chrystie Street
New York, New York
http://www.lehmannmaupin.com/

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