credits: Christopher Knowles

Island of Memory

Christopher Knowles map of Lower Manhattan

“With the exception of a few anchor stores, it (Chelsea) has turned into a giant mall with bland artwork from uninspiring artists. What happened to the head of the New York Artist Movement? According to an article in the New York Observer the Movement is growing up near the “new” New Museum space opening up in the Lower East Side on the Bowery.”

The New Museum of Contemporary Art is slated to open on the Bowery December 1st, 2007 with a new design by Sejima + Nishizawa / SANAA: think stacked paper lanterns dominating the skyline looking south from Houston. Time lapse of the museum’s construction here.

Former P.S. 1 curator Amy Smith-Stewart’s Smith-Stewart Gallery is already open at 53 Stanton. Luxe Gallery, which represents Jon’s wife, the French painter Amelie Chabannes (subject of the latest LVHRD VDO), will join Smith-Stewart on Sept 1.

Amelie told us she’s glad Luxe is getting out of Chelsea. She says that except for a few great advocates her work isn’t as well received above 14th street. Jon agreed when we spoke with him on Friday night, saying that the scene in Chelsea is more interested in maintaining than pushing boundaries. But that’s the beauty of this city–you go 20 blocks and it’s a different world.