Eric Wesley / St. Louis @eric-wesley-st-louis - Tumblr Blog

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}

Photographer Drew Reynolds, courtesy Red Bull Arts New York

"The Bell, Mannahatta," which has popped up at NADA, is artist Eric Wesley's homage to Googie postmodern architecture.

“The Bell, Mannahatta”

Red Bull Arts New York for NADA New York 2018

March 8 – 11, 2018

Installation Views

Photographer Drew Reynolds, courtesy Red Bull Arts New York

“The Bell, Mannahatta” | Red Bull Arts New York for NADA New York 2018

The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) and Red Bull Arts New York are pleased to present the “The Bell, Mannahatta,” a site-specific solo presentation by artist Eric Wesley at NADA New York 2018 as part of the fair’s programming. The exhibition will be on view during fair hours from Thursday, March 8 to Sunday, March 11.

The project marks the first partnership between NADA and Red Bull Arts New York, as well as the first off-site presentation of an artist by Red Bull Arts New York.

“NADA embraces new models which support artists and foster our gallery community. We admire Red Bull Arts New York’s experimental and ambitious programming and look forward to having them as a partner for the first time,” said Heather Hubbs, NADA Executive Director.

“The Bell, Mannahatta” will be installed at the center of the fair as a self-contained structure. Referencing present day New York, “The Bell, Mannahatta” comprises intersecting facades of a Taco Bell and Pizza Hut that form a cruz, or cross. A KFC bucket-shaped bell completes the trifecta of Yum! Corp. Visitors will also see – and be seen by – two crows, Heseeus and Sheeseus. At times there will be cake.

“This off-site project is new territory for us, but we wanted to push the boundaries of Eric’s project both physically and conceptually,” said Max Wolf, Chief Curator of Red Bull Arts New York. “The orientation of the work presents an opportunity for The Bell, Mannahatta to intervene and engage with NADA New York’s energized community in a way that would have been impossible in our space or any exhibition space for that matter.”

Part-sculpture, part-performance, the project was conceived as a sequel to “The Bell, Cahokia” (2016), a project from Bortolami’s Artist/City program that transformed a former Taco Bell in Cahokia, Illinois into a venue for art and performance. For the second rendition of the project, the focus is dessert. “Eat your cake and have it, too” becomes literal – a formalist statement on matter, infinity, and general physics. “The Bell, Mannahatta” extends the legend of The Bell.

The seventh edition of NADA New York will take place at Skylight Clarkson Sq, from March 8–11th, 2018. NADA New York continues to showcase the best of contemporary art, with 117 exhibitors representing 36 cities from 19 countries.