Sperone Westwater Gallery Already Criticized
Not everyone is stoked about the new Sperone Westwater Gallery which just opened last Wednesday at 257 Bowery. By the next day, a scathing review of the eight-story tower surfaced in the Times. In the so-called paper of record, author Ken Johnson summed it up thusly, “More toolbox than jewel box, the building has an oddly cheap low-tech and utilitarian appearance, like that of a furniture emporium.”
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One of our readers wasn’t too happy with the gallery, either. But her beef is more with the choice of exhibit – the artwork of Argentinean Guillermo Kuitca. Apparently there’s a suicide themed piece residing in the back of the gallery, which is fanning the flames of controversy.
I am writing to alert our community of something I find seriously offensive happening at the new Sperone Westwater Gallery at 257 Bowery. In the back of the gallery positioned in front of one of the oversized windows is an ”exhibit” of a white noose with a white chair lying on its side under it. I find this highly offensive, especially positioned in front of the window. There is nothing artistic about suicide as I believe this ”piece of art” is depicting and if I choose not to visit the gallery and see the piece for myself, it should not be forced on me through an 8ft window!
I plan to tell the gallery how I feel, but thought I would share with the community at Bowery Boogie as well. I am a very open person and not much in this world shocks me, however this is disturbing on many levels.
The exhibition will be on display at the Sperone Westwater Gallery until November 6.
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[Shawshank Photo Credit: Scrape TV]
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