With yesterday’s opening reception, The Eve Of… residency is officially over, and the exhibition is open to the public.

BZ & NM viewing Doorway, 2014, wood, vinyl, asphalt-based coating, lights, stands, gels, door: 82.5 x 33.5 x 5.5 inches / 210 x 85 x 14 cm. See more photos.

The changeover

The raw space that was my studio in August has been converted into a pop-up gallery. Though I last posted that changeover tasks are fun, I started running of steam this past week. The works were done, the walls painted, and the floors epoxied or sealed, but I still lots to do. And much involved climbing a too-short 8-foot ladder in a 18-foot-high space….

I figured out which works to include and how to place it in the oddly-shaped space with help from OM, especially his sage advice not to fight the architecture. I paid repeat visits to Artist and Craftsman Supply (a cool employee-owned business recently opened in LIC) for paper and tape to minimize light coming through the numerous windows. I also lit the works after multiple trips to get extension cords and light bulbs (so easy to take for granted at galleries) since only half the the space has working electrical outlets. I finally used some lighting gels—purchased for experimentation that didn’t go anywhere—to balance out the color of different light sources. And I spent a late night putting finishing touches on the space, including creating a storage closet (its small footprint relative to the amount of artworks, tools, and furniture it holds is a weirdly satisfying bonus).

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Installation photos

I shot documentation photos with the assistance and good conversation of MH. I encourage you to visit the show in person, as many of the works allude to physical embodiment and are best experienced in person, but you can see photos if you’re unable to visit.

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A journey self-started, but not traveled alone

Thanks to intrepid supporters who braved yesterday’s rain to attend the opening reception. I also want to send a big THANK YOU to the Queens Council on the Arts, the Falchi Building, Whole Foods, and individuals who contributed guidance and assistance: Susan O’Malley, Mel Day, Katie Tuss, Paul Kelterborn, Falchi Building staff, Gina Mazzone, Melissa Smith, Melissa Rachleff/Bronx Museum of the Arts’ Artists in the Marketplace, David Wallace, Maria Hupfield, Nyeema Morgan, Ohad Meromi, Hank Willis Thomas, and Michael Yap.

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Now on view

The exhibition continues through 9/24.

Join me at a public forum featuring guest speaker Andria Hickey, Associate Curator, Public Art Fund
Wednesday, September 24, 7–9 pm

Or visit during gallery hours:
Wednesday, September 17, 12–3 pm
Saturday, September 20, 1–5 pm
Or by appointment by emailing theeveof @ christinewongyap.com.

Falchi Building, 31-00 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 [Google Map]
Four blocks from the 7 train at 33rd/Rawson Station; also walkable from the E and G at Court Square, or the N, Q, or R at Queensboro/Queens Plaza.