The Lower East Side's Evolution as a Contemporary Art Hub
The Lower East Side of Manhattan, known for its dense and diverse population, is home to approximately 100 contemporary art galleries. The area's art movement initiated with The Real Estate Show in 1980, which protested against gentrification at 125 Delancey Street, paving the way for ABC No Rio at 156 Rivington Street. The neighborhood's varied landlords and infrastructure foster socially aware art. Significant milestones include the New Museum's establishment in 2007 and Lehmann Maupin's relocation to 201 Chrystie Street in the same year. Alongside these, alternative spaces like Participant Inc. (2002) and Canada gallery, founded by Grauer, Braman, Whitney, and Brewer, emerged, along with Reena Spaulings Fine Art (2004) and Orchard (2005). Recently, Joel Mesler's Untitled gallery moved to 30 Orchard due to gentrification, yet the area continues to thrive.
Key facts
- The Lower East Side has approximately 100 contemporary art galleries.
- The Real Estate Show in 1980 at 125 Delancey Street protested gentrification.
- ABC No Rio was established at 156 Rivington Street after the show.
- The New Museum announced its Bowery building in 2002, opening in 2007.
- Lehmann Maupin moved to 201 Chrystie Street in 2007.
- Sperone Westwater's Foster-designed minitower opened in 2010.
- Reena Spaulings Fine Art opened in 2004 at 371 Grand Street.
- Orchard gallery operated from 2005 to 2008 at 47 Orchard Street.
Entities
Artists
- Rebecca Howland
- Do Ho Suh
- Teresita Fernández
- Jennifer Steinkamp
- Tom Sachs
- Not Vital
- Lia Gangitano
- Phil Grauer
- Sarah Braman
- Wallace Whitney
- Aaron Brewer
- Klara Lidén
- Josh Smith
- Seth Price
- K8 Hardy
- Andrea Fraser
- Luis Camnitzer
- Martha Rosler
- Nic Guagnini
- Gareth James
- R.H. Quaytman
- Miguel Abreu
- Scott Lyall
- Jimmy Raskin
- Shannon Plumb
- Heather Bennett
- Steve Pulimood
- Dan Shaw-Town
- G. William Webb
- Robin Cameron
- Rachel Uffner
- Sam Moyer
- Sarah Greenberger Rafferty
- Joel Mesler
- Brendan Fowler
- David Adamo
- Lisa Cooley
- Andy Coolquitt
- Erin Shirreff
- Thierry Goldberg
- Ben Grasso
- Dave McDermott
- Stephan Stoyanov
Institutions
- ABC No Rio
- New Museum
- Lehmann Maupin
- Sperone Westwater
- Participant Inc
- Thread Waxing Space
- Canada
- Reena Spaulings Fine Art
- Bernadette Corporation
- Orchard
- Miguel Abreu Gallery
- Stephan Stoyanov Gallery
- Room East
- Rachel Uffner Gallery
- Rental Gallery
- Untitled
- Lisa Cooley Gallery
- Thierry Goldberg Gallery
- La MaMa
- Abrons Arts Center
- PAD/D
- East Side Glass Co
- Levine Brothers Glass
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York
- United States
- Lower East Side
- Houston Street
- Bowery
- 125 Delancey Street
- 156 Rivington Street
- Prince Street
- 201 Chrystie Street
- 371 Grand Street
- 47 Orchard Street
- Broome Street
- Norfolk Street
- 30 Orchard
- East Broadway
- Soho