Hurricane Sandy's Aftermath Infuses Chelsea Gallery Shows with Apocalyptic Resonance

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy flooded Chelsea galleries between 14th and 29th Streets, damaging storage spaces and forcing closures. Two weeks later, Hazmat-suited workers cleared debris while gallerists repaired walls; one gallery temporarily operated from two vans. The disaster lent unexpected resonance to exhibitions themed around apocalypse and water. At Marianne Boesky Gallery (Nov 13 – Dec 21, 2012), Barnaby Furnas showed paintings inspired by Moby Dick and the biblical story of Jonah, using poured paint, splatters, and water sprays to create turbulent abstractions. His largest work, The Whalers, depicts whale blood as a red geyser amid diagonal masts and harpoons. At D'Amelio Gallery (Oct 25 – Dec 22, 2012), Roland Flexner presented ink works made by pouring liquid graphite, blowing bubbles, and tilting paper to form lunar landscapes and cosmic disturbances. Some drawings show beached boats or human-free worlds; purple and gold inks heighten the surrealism. Critic Eleanor Heartney noted that both exhibitions, formally and conceptually accomplished, gained profound meaning post-Sandy, highlighting humanity's vulnerability to climate change.