New art exhibits add color to wintry New York landscape

The art scene in Chelsea was in full swing this past Thursday night, despite the monochrome of grey snow and decidedly unglamorous frigid temperatures. What could make the fashionable and fabulous of the New York art world brave such horrid weather? If it wasn’t the free white wine, then it must have been the creative and colorful palette common to the openings of artists Olafur Eliasson, Christina Mazzalupo, and Chris Biddy, who offered a bit of spring bloom in the depth of winter doldrums.

Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

This two-story space hosted the opening of the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson’s sixth solo exhibition at the gallery. The contemporary artist, lauded for his large-scale interactive pieces, didn’t disappoint. The first floor contained “Multiple Shadow House,” in which Eliasson blurs the notions of observation and creation. As spectators enter a series of rooms, their shadows are multiplied in jewel tones upon white screens serving as walls. The viewer participates with the space whether they will it or not. Upstairs, this theme of overlapping hues continues, with watercolor paintings and a light display examining aspects of the color wheel. The exhibition is currently located at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery at 521 W. 21st St., and runs Feb. 11-Mar. 24.

Mixed Greens Gallery

Upon entering Mixed Greens Gallery, viewers are confronted with words both playful and confusing, projected for a split-second upon a wall. They read things like “MARIJUANA” or “POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME.” The exhibit, created by artist Christina Mazzalupo, follows this same line of quirky commentary throughout the exhibit entitled “Stomachache.” Other pieces consist of a series of weekly watercolor charts that colorfully map things like pills, ailments, decisions, and foods. These works show the sardonic side of neurosis, and highlight the absurdity of oft-unquestioned language and organizational systems. “Stomachache” runs Feb. 11-Mar. 13 at Mixed Greens Gallery, located at 531 W. 26th St.

ATM Gallery

Newly relocated ATM Gallery hosted the first New York exhibit of young artist Chris Biddy, entitled “New Message.” Biddy’s youthfulness is reflected in his work, which renders girls’ angsty MySpace pics into color pencil pointillism and oil painting realism. The adolescent subjects stare back with pouty faces and cheesy poses, offering an awkward look at a desired sexiness. Viewers, who might pass over images like these on the Internet, are instead confronted with a more pensive look at these unlikely subjects. Biddy’s “New Message” runs Feb. 12-Mar. 23 at ATM Gallery, located at 542 W. 24th St.