Todd Mauritz's M23 Project Space Blends Guerrilla Events with Social Media Strategy

Todd Mauritz, founder of M23 Project Space, operates from a French-style apartment at 61 West 74th Street while staging experimental exhibitions globally. His guerrilla-style events have included a 2012 Armory after-party at The Hole NYC with ArtStation, a 2013 launch at the Chelsea Hotel for photographer Tim Nazzarro's book No Bad Faith featuring Liza Thorn, and a Frieze London installation at the Ace Hotel with a mural by Matt Maust. Mauritz collaborates with artists like Daniel Herr and has shown Francis Alÿs's 1997 video Paradox of Praxis 1 in Miami's Design District, courtesy of collector Craig Robins. He plans future events in Berlin and Los Angeles, emphasizing mobility and three to four major annual happenings. Social media engagement via Twitter and Instagram has built an international following, with 5000 Twitter followers noted by the Times. The project space, named for the M23 bus to Chelsea and Mauritz's 23rd Street residence, began three years ago after his gallery employment. A summer cocktail recipe featuring mezcal, tequila, and black pepper accompanied the discussion.