Exit Art

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This venue is closed.

Attending a multimedia show at this cavernous 11,000-sq. ft. space can feel like a trip to an adult funhouse. On crowded opening nights, young art-fanciers interact with web art, scamper through tree house-like assemblages, and skirt around performance artists. From video to print and from Barbie to Jell-o, no medium or pop icon is excluded. Not to say that the art here is frivolous. On the contrary, Exit Art is devoted to exploring controversial political/cultural issues and often pulls together highly topical shows at lightning speed�a matter of weeks in some cases. Founded in 1982 by Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo, the gallery has always featured boundary-pushing work by up-and-comers such as Roxy Paine, Fred Tomaselli, and David Wojnarowicz, but themed group exhibitions�usually open-call�have become the rule. In 2002, the gallery moved from Soho to its current digs: a ground-floor industrial shell with raw concrete floors, huge windows that overlook the Tenth Avenue approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, and an office surrounded by chain-link. A small staff, aided by enthusiastic volunteers, coordinates and curates each show�many peopled by first-timers, sometimes students. — Simon Spelling

Apart from its schedule of shows, the gallery sometimes hosts lectures and performance art events. A 3,000-square foot basement space is dedicated to such performances as well as digital video screenings of all kinds. Call, or check the website, for information.