"Off The Wall: Thirty Performative Actions" opens at the Whitney tomorrow (at least, Part I does).
1. The artists, obviously. The exhibition features pieces from iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and filmic pioneer Maya Deren whose names alone should get you uptown.
2. Your senses are assaulted (in a good way). All of the space is utilized — from the pieces on the floor to the sounds flowing from room to room.
3. John Baldessari. In 1971, he couldn't make it to a gallery in Canada, where he'd been commissioned to create an original piece on-site so he had his students write the phrase, "I will not make any more Boring Art" on the gallery walls. The students were so inspired that they covered all of the walls and, for the first time since 1971, a new crop of art students will be doing this. They'll write and rewrite this phrase on the gallery wall in shifts that can range from 30 minutes to a full day. If you're lucky, you'll catch one in action.
4. Another piece in the exhibition that can't be missed is "As da Art World Might Turn". In this short video, artist Kalup Linzy navigates the frustrating economics of the art world in drag. It's very tongue and cheek, and absolutely worth checking out.
5. Also, it's air conditioned — if none of the above sounds tempting enough.
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