“Glenn O’Brien: Center Stage”

Off Paradise
120 Walker Street, New York, NY
September 17 through November 2

Glenn O’Brien Once Again Takes Center Stage

Inagural opening at Off Paradise

Inaugural opening at Off Paradise

The man who penned “Don’t hide your mistakes; they may be the best part of your résumé”, Glenn O’Brien, the legendary downtown aesthete and iconic host of ‘TV Party’ has been given a fitting tribute in a new project space on Walker street in New York’s Chinatown.

Culture Guru and art critic, Carlo McCormick

Culture Guru and art critic, Carlo McCormick

 

Curated by Natacha Polaert, the show at Off Paradise brings together a group of artists that either Glenn O’Brien knew from his days as Editor of Interview Magazine while Andy Warhol was still publishing it or that he met along the way and who shared his interests in all things creative—artists who defined and embodied an era of which Glenn O’Brien contributed greatly.

The artist Gregory de la Haba with curator Natacha Polaert

The artist Gregory de la Haba with curator Natacha Polaert

Polaert has referred to the exhibition as a “portrait en creux”, a French term literally meaning “hollow portrait” but used as a means to describe an image, or in this case an exhibition, that conveys essential insights about a specific person just as a portrait would but without showing the person at all. Glenn-O’Brien-clever and smart for sure and a show all art patrons who have a soft spot for downtown would adore the way we all adored the late Glenn O’Brien. —Gregory de la Haba

Tom Sachs' Skateboard Wheels, 2008

Tom Sachs’ Skateboard Wheels, 2008

Featured artists: Alvin Baltrop, Sarah Charlesworth, Dan Colen, Sara Cwynar, Les Levine, Eileen Myles, Dennis Oppenheim, Richard Prince, Rene Ricard, Walter Robinson, Claude Rutault, Andre Saraiva, Tom Sachs, Dash Snow, Andy Warhol, Ouattara Watts, and Martin Wong.

Dash Snow's Secret Conception, 2006-2007, amidst the crowds at Off Paradise

Dash Snow’s Secret Conception, 2006-2007, amidst the crowds at Off Paradise

Downtown legend and painter, Judy Rifka

Downtown legend and painter, Judy Rifka

 

Picture of Paul Lester for Portray magazine article

Art Writer Paul Laster

Sara Cwynar's Girl from Contact Sheet (Darkroom Manuals), 2013

Sara Cwynar’s Girl from Contact Sheet (Darkroom Manuals), 2013

About the author

International Editor, Gregory de la Haba is a painter and sculptor with a penchant for writing and curating.

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