Come Together: Surviving Sandy
(Photo by Paul Porter/BFA)
In the year since storm Sandy rocked the east coast, the art world has reacted in many different ways. Recently, in a 6 story warehouse called Industry City, The Brooklyn Rail and the Dedalus Foundation mounted Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1, an exhibition curated by the Rail's Phong Bui. The 100,000 square foot
pop-up museum opened to the public on October 20th and includes over 300 artist contributors.
The grand opening celebrated the many artists involved and their strength to pull through one of the worst storms to ever hit the east coast. Come Together: Surviving Sandy also exhibits works that reference the storm as well as other artists who were invited to participate in the "spirit of solidarity". One such artist submitted a work that uncannily predates the Superstorm. Dustin Yellin, a Brooklyn artist whose studio was one of the hardest hit, presented a 12-ton Triptych sculpture “After the Flood” which greets guests on the first floor of the exhibition.
(Photo by Paul Porter/BFA)
The massive exhibition kicked off with a private opening event on October 17, where guests wandered through 4 of the 6 floors of the warehouse and mingled with artists, celebrities, and other VIPs. The party lasted well into the night, with curator Bui along with Industry City's Andrew Kimball and Dedalus Foundation's Jack Flam kicking the night off with celebratory remarks in front of Yellin's glassy triptych.
My night ended, as I wish it always did, in an elevator ride with Chuck Close, another participating artist, who was on his way up to the top floor of the show to see his two submitted works.
Open Thursdays through Sundays from October 20 – December 15, 2013*