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Chelsea is not merely a neighborhood in New York but has evolved into a global icon representing the art world. Originally, numerous galleries were located in Soho and Tribeca during the 1970s. However, with skyrocketing land and property prices, these galleries gradually moved to Chelsea. Although once home to artists' studios, the high costs forced the artists to leave, making way for galleries to establish themselves.
Today, from 19th to 29th Streets, over 300 galleries of various sizes converge in Chelsea, showcasing artworks from artists worldwide. While famous museums have their appeal, galleries offer distinct advantages. Firstly, they allow visitors to view works by emerging artists and grasp the current trends in art. Secondly, they provide the opportunity to enjoy the works of renowned artists with museum-quality exhibitions at no cost. Unlike museums, galleries focus on solo or duo exhibitions, allowing a deeper engagement with a single artist's work. For those unsure of where to visit, starting with the major galleries is recommended.
Article & Photos by: Hyeona Heo
Hauser & Wirth, established in 1992 in Switzerland, is a gallery dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded by Ian Wirth, Manuela Wirth, and Ursula Hauser, Ian and Manuela Wirth were named joint first in Art Review's list of the 100 most influential people in the art world in 2015. The gallery has six branches, including locations in London, Chelsea, and Los Angeles. The Chelsea branch offers a vast, open exhibition space of 25,000 square feet without columns, displaying works from over 60 emerging European and American artists. Unique to this gallery is its publishing arm, collaborating with over 100 publishers to create academic papers, exhibition catalogs, and records emphasizing the meaning and understanding of contemporary art. Public engagement is further enhanced through artist talks and press releases within the gallery. Notably, Hauser & Wirth has its bookstore and café right next door, a visit highly recommended.
Hauser & Wirth: www.hauserandwirth.com
Address: 511 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
David Zwirner Gallery, which relocated from Soho to 19th Street in Chelsea in 2002, hosts around 50 exclusive artists from Europe and America. Notable artists include Dan Flavin, Raoul De Keyser, On Kawara, Alice Neel, Chris Ofili, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, and Donald Judd. The gallery gained fame for exhibitions such as Yayoi Kusama's 'Infinity Mirrored Room,' which attracted long queues, and launching Neo Rauch’s career. The gallery’s expansive 30,000 square feet space showcases a mix of contemporary paintings, installations, media sculptures, and videos, catering to diverse artistic tastes.
David Zwirner: www.davidzwirner.com
Address: 519, 525 & 533 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
The blue-chip Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea was founded by the world-renowned art dealer Larry Gagosian in 1979 in Los Angeles. With five locations in New York and 16 worldwide, it holds the distinction of having the most branches globally. The gallery has exhibited works by towering figures in 20th-century art such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Richard Serra, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning, Bruce Nauman, Francis Bacon, and Damien Hirst. Although the gallery does not publicize information about affiliated artists, significant moves by artists like Yayoi Kusama and Jeff Koons to David Zwirner, and Damien Hirst’s surprise announcement at Art Basel, reveal Gagosian’s substantial impact on the art world despite facing major storms.
Gagosian Gallery: www.gagosian.com
Address: 555 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
