Bernini, Iraq War Vet, Frankenstein: New York Weekend
This is your last chance to see “Bernini Sculpting in Clay.” With a horde of assistants, Bernini masterminded an astonishing array of marble figures, portraits, tombs, monuments and fountains that are the magnificent centerpieces of churches and piazzas all over Rome.
The tabletop-scale terracotta sculptures are so tactile you think the great man has just stepped away for a glass of prosecco and a ham sandwich.
Today, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and tomorrow, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave.
Information: +1-212-535-7710; http://www.metmuseum.org.
After, swing by Jean Georges Vongerichten’s The Mark for a musky black-truffle-and-brie cheeseburger. Information: +1-212- 606-3030; http://www.themarkrestaurantnyc.com.
Found Metals
Or head south to Chelsea, where eleven majestic works by Ghana-born artist El Anatsui, some still for sale, are on view at Jack Shainman Gallery. Their color tones vary mostly between gold and silver, with traces of reds, blues and yellows.
When you get closer, you see that what looks like a precious tapestry is actually composed of found metals, including bottle caps and copper wire.
“El Anatsui: Pot of Wisdom” runs through Jan. 19 at 513 W. 20th St. Information: +1-212-645-1701; http://www.jackshainman.com.
Afterward, stroll down to Del Posto for what might be the city’s best Vesper martini and a plate of Michelin-starred spaghetti with jalapenos, scallions and Dungeness crab. Information: +1-212-497-8090; http://www.delposto.com.
Saturday Night
The Iraq War and the city of Brotherly Love play key roles in “Water By the Spoonful,” Quiara Alegria Hudes’s drama about a Marine who returns to his Puerto Rican family with wounds both physical and psychic. The middle play in a trilogy about her cousin Elliot, “Spoonful” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama last year. Times Square’s adventurous Second Stage Theatre is presenting the New York premiere; in previews now, it opens Jan. 8. At 305 W. 43rd St.
Information: +1-212-246-4422; http://www.2st.com.
In the same neighborhood, tonight is a rare chance to hear jazz legend Frank Wess, who played saxophone and flute with Count Basie’s orchestra. Listen to his recent recording of “Lush Life” for evidence that his tone and taste have only deepened over the years.
At Birdland, 315 W. 44th St. Information: +1-212-581-3080; http://www.birdlandjazz.com.
Sunday Night
That monster returns in “Inflatable Frankenstein,” fantastical sci-fi theater from a group called Radiohole. Co- sponsored by The Kitchen and Performance Space 122’s COIL festival, the show draws on the Frankenstein films, Mary Shelley’s novel and various other cultural artifacts, for what promises to be a strange, if brief (just an hour long) journey. Tickets are $20.
At the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. Information: +1-212-255- 5793, ext. 11; http://www.thekitchen.org.
Then drop by El Quinto Pino for sparkling wine and Alex Raij’s famously sinus-clearing sea urchin panino. Information: +1-212-206-6900 or http://www.elquintopinonyc.com.
(Jeremy Gerard is an editor for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include movies and Lewis Lapham on books.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jeremy Gerard at jgerard2@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'3 by 5'
Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
"3 by 5" (2012) by El Anatsui. This beautiful tapestry is made of copper wire and found metals.
"3 by 5" (2012) by El Anatsui. This beautiful tapestry is made of copper wire and found metals. Photographer: Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
'They Finally Broke the Pot of Wisdom'
Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
"They Finally Broke the Pot of Wisdom" (2011) by El Anatsui. The work measures approximately 11.4 feet by 22.6 feet when installed, but the dimensions can vary.
"They Finally Broke the Pot of Wisdom" (2011) by El Anatsui. The work measures approximately 11.4 feet by 22.6 feet when installed, but the dimensions can vary. Photographer: Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
El Anatsui Art
Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
"Uwa" (2012), left, and "Bukpa Layout" (2012) by El Anatsui. The works are on view in the show "Pot of Wisdom" at Jack Shainman Gallery in Chelsea through Jan. 19.
"Uwa" (2012), left, and "Bukpa Layout" (2012) by El Anatsui. The works are on view in the show "Pot of Wisdom" at Jack Shainman Gallery in Chelsea through Jan. 19. Photographer: Lili Rosboch/Bloomberg
'Water by the Spoonful'
Richard Termine/Second Stage NYC via Bloomberg
Bill Heck and Frankie Faison in "Water by the Spoonful." The play by Quiara Alegria Hudes is directed by Davis McCallum.
Bill Heck and Frankie Faison in "Water by the Spoonful." The play by Quiara Alegria Hudes is directed by Davis McCallum. Photographer: Richard Termine/Second Stage NYC via Bloomberg
Liza Colo-Zayas, Sue Jean Kim and Frankie Faison in "Water by the Spoonful." The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama last year. Photographer: Richard Termine/Second Stage NYC via Bloomberg
Frank Wess
Ronald K.Marsh/Frank Wess via Bloomberg
Frank Wess on the flute. The jazz instrumentalist will perform at Birdland on Jan. 5.
Frank Wess on the flute. The jazz instrumentalist will perform at Birdland on Jan. 5. Photographer: Ronald K.Marsh/Frank Wess via Bloomberg
A scene from Radiohole's "Inflatable Frankenstein." The show is co-sponsored by The Kitchen and Performance Space 122. Photographer: Erin Douglass/Blake Zidell & Assoc. via Bloomberg
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