Visiting art galleries is always something I enjoy, and the Chelsea art galleries were no exception! I saw at least five or so galleries, including the Comme des Garcons store which I would certainly consider a gallery of its own. Actually, let’s start where we ended, at the beautiful experience that was entering the world of Rei Kawakubo. The store has this really unusual metal pathway leading up to an egg-shaped glass door that pushes either way, with track lights in the floor. It’s all very space-agey and I was excited from the time I entered to see what the rest of the store would be. Now, for anyone who was lucky enough like me to visit her exhibit while it was at the Met, I would compare it to that set-up, with large curved sections that almost interrupt the space as you walk through, almost feeling like you’re hunting for the clothes and accessories in a maze. The clothes themselves were obviously incredible, and combined with the architecture and merchandising of the store, the whole location was a well-crafted burst of Rei’s vision. Before this, it was only a further lead-up of talent as we enjoyed visiting the surrounding Chelsea galleries. I wish I remembered the artists, but luckily the exhibits are up for the next month or so, so if you’re in the area I would highly recommend dropping by because they are amazing! For each of the five, I’ll try and describe a sneak peek of my favorite piece or what stood out to me: colorful forests, Dr. Seuss realized, furniture goals, lights in the night, and a celebration of dark skin. The colorful forests were a collection of different tree silhouettes as a forest in a range of color palettes, from pink and orange with black trees to blue and green with yellow trees, and several others. They had the same texture of crayons in a way, and this gallery was certainly at the top of my list. After this was a mix of science with colorful test tubes (see picture) and an installation of a thin paper-like membrane that stretched out and across the window with attached little balls and triangular shapes, which was my favorite of everything we saw, and certainly as I said felt like Dr. Seuss realized. Next, there was this gallery with all sorts of different furniture like tables and chairs that were incredibly crafted and were something I could only hope to furnish my future home, if I had that kind of coin, that is. “Lights Up the Night” was an entire gallery that I had noticed on their list online and was so excited to see, and the piece I remember was a photo of lights flashing in the night that was really beautiful, but the rest of the pieces didn’t really relate to the theme or were not as exciting, in my opinion. Lastly, another at the top of my list, was a celebration of dark skin, with various photographs of a main woman, which I’m pretty sure was the artist and a few other individuals with very dark complexions, dressed in different accessories and garments reminiscent of African cultures in powerful poses or affronting gazes. It was really powerful and exciting to see such strength in only a photograph. Overall, the Chelsea galleries and the Rei Kawakubo store were amazing and I would love to visit again!
