TRIBECA — Curators of a new pop-up gallery in TriBeCa wants to present a new take on Gen Y.
"Working On It,” featuring pieces from 12 artists ages 23 to 31, is currently on display at the contemporary art space TEMP at 57 Walker St. through October 14. The exhibition presents an assortment of works — from depictions of bare bodies in bright urban spaces, to what appears to be casual conversations among peers in Polo shirts.
Each photograph and painting hanging on the exposed brick or stucco walls of TEMP captures what it means to be young in 2012, said Alex Ahn, who curated the exhibit with Ari Lipkis.
“After going through hundreds of artists, we really felt the works of these artists represented the theme of our show, which is youth culture today and the spirit of 20-somethings today,” said Ahn, who, along with Lipkis studied art history at New York University.
A wall lined with five rows of vibrant photographs of nude and clothed figures in city settings, taken by Sandy Kim, gives off a sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll vibe, Ahn explained.
Other artists such as Dean Levin chose to focus on popular words used by today’s youth, including the phrases, “so what, so chill, so cool, so hot, so high, so down, so sick and so tight,” Ahn said.
“Working On It is kind of representative of how our generation, we feel, is moving toward something greater," he explained. "But what it is yet, we’re not sure.”
But visitors better move quickly, as the pop-up space will end its run as a gallery after Oct. 14. Until then, the exhibition is open Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
