Cool Hunting

by Ariston Anderson

As more and more art galleries regrettably shut their doors for good around Chelsea, one perk we've seen out of the recession is the increasing number of salons popping up around town. The current climate has left many artists feeling isolated, and one organization, ABCyz aims to bring together New York's collective creative juices into one whirlwind of a show, creating community and shared practices. Last Friday marked the mother of all group shows, ABCyz, as 40 of New York's top art collectives take over Chelsea's Silvershed, an artist-run indoor and outdoor space.

The event aimed to create a new sense of community and dialogue amidst the somber spirit of the current art world. The collectives, all of which have formed in the past few years, converged together into one guerrilla self-funded show to to showcase their best new art, posters, publications, video, and performances. The entire event was free and run by volunteers. For one night it wasn't about individual artists, but the collective spirit of what groups can accomplish when working together.

Highlights included an interactive documentary project from the arts/science collective DecadesOut, the one-year anniversary show of the Yes Gallery, the streets coming to walls with Peru Ana Ana Peru, and a special performance by art rockers WET ROPES. Other groups participating include English Kills Art Gallery, Whitney Does Chelsea, Brooklyn is Burning, Art Social Club and Tompkins Projects.

Through 7 November 2009

Silvershed
119 West 25th Street, Penthouse
New York, NY 10001 map
tel. +1 646 322 3324

See more images after the jump.