Quote:

Yes, that's the building.

It's a shame Mana isn't open on weekends.

Quote:

That ship sailed a while ago. The Museum of the City of New York recently had an exhibit on 70s and 80s graffiti. You don't have to like it, but it's already institutionalized and legitimized as part of modern art culture. Personally, I think museums and exhibits can't really capture the spirit of the culture, but that's probably true for a lot of kinds of art.

Anyone else uneasy about the institutionalizing and legitimizing of vandalism, especially in a city which I think has a serious graffiti problem?

A happier thought is that maybe Mana will be able to get Martha and the Vandellas for the grand opening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc

Is that the building with KAWS' graffitti on it? Kinda appropriate, if so - it'd be great if they brought on Brian Donnelly, him being a JC native and all.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of opening its first commercial exhibition and one of the largest galleries in the United States, Mana Contemporary today revealed plans for the opening of its newest development, the Mana Graffiti Museum. The museum will be the world's first permanent museum devoted to street art and will be located in a 100,000-square-foot former ice factory near the Holland Tunnel entrance.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releas ... iti-museum-258676401.html

Outside of yesterday's viewing hours for the grand opening, opportunities to view the work of these artists is limited to a small weekday window or by appointment. The marketing concept is directed to collectors or design types looking to purchase for public / private spaces. Looking for something local to do today and I guess it won't be visiting here this afternoon. It's the true business side of art, which I have no problem with but certainly not art for the masses as the media announcement explains. I guess it's back to Jersey City Artists Studio Tour and Groove on Grove?


[quote]
Stringer wrote:
Mana Contemporary Introduces Mana Exposition
An independent contemporary art market in Jersey City, NJ opening May 10, 2014

[

Summer Dawn Hortillosa / The Jersey Journal




A new contemporary art market is coming to Mana Contemporary in Jersey City.

The sprawling art complex will welcome a 50,000-square-foot market in its Glass Gallery designed by architect Richard Meier, who has a model museum on the second floor of Mana.

The first Mana Exposition, ?All the Best Artists Are My Friends (Part 1),? curated by Ray Smith, will run from tomorrow through Aug. 1 and will feature works with a market value of over $10 million.

Mana Contemporary says the market is in line with their mission of fostering a sense of community in the art industry and will encourage artists to realize monumental works and sell directly to collectors.

?We view Mana Exposition as as opportunity for artists to present their work in a more relaxed and aesthetic environment, without white boxes or cubicles,? said founder Eugene Lemay. ?Each Mana Exposition will have a prominent curator or curatorial team working directly with artists.?

??All the Best Artists Are My Friends (Part 1)? is about community. It is curated by Ray Smith, whose work primarily deals with community-based projects,? said Lemay. ?There are also numerous Mana Contemporary artists that are part of the show including Richard Meier, Sante d?Orazio, Yigal Ozeri and all current artists from the Mana Residency programs.?

Some of the participating artists even created work specifically for this show.

Lemay says this market will showcase the resources Mana offers the arts community including their exhibition spaces, foundry, the Gary Lichtenstein Editions at their silkscreen studio, digital printers and more.

The Mana Exposition at Mana Contemporary will open tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will be open weekdays from Monday through Aug. 1. For more information, visit ManaExposition.com.

Mana Contemporary Introduces Mana Exposition
An independent contemporary art market in Jersey City, NJ opening May 10, 2014




JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eugene Lemay, President of Mana Contemporary, announces the debut this spring of Mana Exposition, a new addition to the Jersey City art complex to be held in the Mana Glass Gallery, one of the largest galleries in the United States. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the column-free exhibition space spans 50,000 square feet. The inaugural exposition will run from May 10 to August 1 and will feature works with a market value of over $10 million, signaling a new commercial endeavor at Mana Contemporary. Mana Exposition will also embody Mana Contemporary's goal of fostering a sense of community in the art industry, and will encourage artists to realize monumental works to exhibit and sell.

Lemay says "We view Mana Exposition as an opportunity for artists to present their work in a more relaxed and aesthetic environment, without white boxes or cubicles. Each Mana Exposition will have a prominent curator or curatorial team working directly with artists."

The first Mana Exposition is curated by artist Ray Smith, who titled the show All The Best Artists Are My Friends, Part 1. Mana approached Smith knowing he would assemble a show that evokes the kinship in the community of artists at Mana Contemporary. Among the three-dozen artists included in the inaugural exposition are Rita Ackermann, the Bruce High Quality Foundation, Phong Bui, Francesco Clemente, Alex Katz, Shelter Serra, Max Snow, Swoon, Meyer Vaisman, Angel Vergara, and Andy Warhol. Many of the participating artists have created work especially for this show.

Richard Meier says the walls he designed for the Glass Gallery "make the space divided but also fluid ... as you move around the space, you see the different relationships between the art shown here. ? It's a phenomenal exhibition space. I've never seen anything like it."

Lemay adds "Galleries are facing a daunting number of fairs each year, often in far-flung locations. We believe that Mana Exposition projects will be welcomed by the community of galleries as an exciting series of shows that does not tax gallery resources."

The Mana Exposition at Mana Contemporary will open to the public on Saturday, May 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. and be open daily Monday-Friday from May 12 through August 1. On May 10, hourly buses from Manhattan will run from Milk Gallery at 450 West 15th Street. For public opening hours and shuttle bus information, please visit www.manaexposition.com

About Mana Contemporary:
Opened in May 2011, Mana Contemporary is a leading arts destination with locations in Jersey City, Chicago, and Miami. Studios, exhibition spaces, art services, and programming provide an unparalleled environment for creating and experiencing art. By exposing and exploring the artistic process, Mana Contemporary offers an exciting way to discover and learn about art while artists are enabled to experiment and collaborate across all disciplines, forms, and media. Mana Contemporary is home to the Richard Meier Model Museum, Gary Lichtenstein Editions, the Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation, the Middle East Center for the Arts, Shen Wei Dance Arts, the Keating Foundry, and more. For more information about Mana Contemporary, please visit www.manacontemporary.com