Can’t Wait For The Museums? Many NYC Galleries Are Now Reopening To The Public

Some of New York City's cultural institutions — like the Museum of the City of New York — will start reopening at the end of July, but there are plenty that have not yet announced their plans, or a timeline for their reopening. Other heartbeats of the city's cultural landscape, like Broadway, will not reopen until 2021. While it may take more time for the bigger establishments to get their reopening plans together, the smaller galleries have already started to open their doors. With strict new pandemic protocols in place, of course.

The biggest news on the gallery front this week is the reopening of both David Zwirner locations in Chelsea. Zwirner, one of Chelsea's big three (along with Pace, which opens their massive eight-story space next week; and Gagosian, no word from them yet), puts on museum-quality exhibitions from brand-name artists, and the Doug Wheeler light installation currently on display does not disappoint.

The other artists at David Zwirner are equally worth a trip, including Al Taylor and his Hawaiian works, both drawings and sculptural pieces; Mamma Andersson's paintings, which often feature horses; and Leo Amino, whose sculptures, particularly the colorful resin ones, do wonderful things with light. Masks are required at both Zwirner galleries, capacity is limited, snazzy sanitizer machines are everywhere, and appointments, while not strictly necessary (you can make one from the front door if there's room inside), are encouraged. During a recent visit, each exhibition space had a single staffer working the desk, but there were no guards in the actual galleries.

Several other galleries in Chelsea were also open this week, with similar pandemic guidelines dictating your art-viewing behavior. At Metro Pictures on West 24th Street, I called the front desk from the sidewalk and gave my name and phone number before entering, and then got to see some great work by Gary Simmons, whose old-timey comics in his "Screaming Into the Ether" pieces feel extremely relevant for 2020. The big Hauser & Wirth building on West 22nd is only showing on the first floor, and I had to get an electronic ticket to get inside.

On Orchard Street the small storefront galleries have mostly been back open since Phase 2 began in late June. No appointments are necessary to look at art here, and McKenzie Fine Art has even launched a new show since reopening, a series of subtle wildflower drawings by Janes Nelson, though (wisely) co-owner Valerie McKenzie scoffed at the idea of throwing an opening party during a pandemic.

Not so up at The Hole! The cool-kid gallery on Bowery hosted a reception on Thursday night for new exhibitions by Katsu, who continues to explore the possibilities of painting dots with his drone, and Pedro Pedro, whose human-less still life pieces were all painted during quarantine.

Turnout was impressive, with a line forming outside before the doors opened (Katsu gave away a poster to the first 25 guests), but per state guidelines only 24 people were allowed inside at any one time, and it never felt uncomfortable in the gallery. Masks were required and available at the front desk for those who forgot that the coronavirus existed. Most innovative, The Hole owner Kathy Grayson turned the parking space out front into a lounge, with platters of empanadas and drinks available at a bar set up at the secondary entrance.