Willie Cole: Your Concise New York Art Guide for May 2022

Cassie Packard, Hyperallergic, May 1, 2022

 

Your list of must-see, fun, insightful, and very New York art events this month, including Willie Cole, Hélio Oiticica, Nanette Carter, and more. 

 

 

Willie Cole, Piano Bird, 2021. 35 x 46 x 35 in. Courtesy of the artist.

 

 

Willie Cole: No Strings

 

WHEN: through May 27
WHERE: Alexander and Bonin (59 Wooster Street, 2nd Floor, SoHo, Manhattan)

 

Willie Cole, whose found-object assemblage can also be viewed in the Afrofuturist period room Before Yesterday We Could Fly at the Met, presents sculpture made from repurposed musical instruments as part of Yamaha’s recycling program, along with several works on paper featuring high heels. As he deftly transforms guitars and pianos into elephants, dogs, and birds, Cole also explores the visual resonances between musical instruments and the instruments of slavery. Sales of work will benefit the music department of the public high school attended by the artist, Arts High in Newark.

 

 

Willie Cole, Fingers and Toes (with shoes), 2015. 67 x 47 in, Courtesy the artist.

 

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