Loud Speaker by Nick Cave (Click on Any Image to Enlarge for Detail)

It very rarely happens that an artist has two shows running concurrently at two different Manhattan galleries, but right now the work of artist Nick Cave (not to be confused with This Guy) is being featured in two Chelsea galleries just a few blocks apart, which makes it very easy to make it to both – and you simply must, because his stuff is off the hook!

At Jack Shainman Gallery, Ever After features several different types of Cave’s ‘Soundsuits.’ In 1991, Cave again making wearable Soundsuits in response to the beating of Rodney King by the LAPD. One set, entitled Loud Speaker (see top photo), is a series of suits joined together by fabric and embellished with black mother of pearl buttons – very gorgeous and enigmatic. There’s also a similar set of suits that are not conjoined but are also covered in white/cream mother of pearl buttons. A third set at the front of the gallery is comprised of human scale, cream colored shaggy fur suits with rabbit ears. This set remind me of the film Donnie Darko for some reason. Cool and creepy at the same time!

Soundsuit of Found Sweaters

Walk a few a blocks uptown to the Mary Boone Gallery and you’ll encounter For Now, another Cave collection of Soundsuits, this time featuring colorful stand-alone works, each distinct to the other and made up of familiar “found” materials ranging from Dogwood twigs (previously seen at the Museum of Arts and Design), rag rugs, and sock monkeys sewn together, to tin noise makers, old fashioned toy tops or ceramic bird figurines. I know that Nick Cave has a staff that does the assemblage of these suits, but somebody had to think of the ideas for these things, and they are pretty twisted. So, high fives all around! I recommend you make time to see both of these exhibits while you can— both are kid friendly, by the way.

Soundsuit of Found Objects, Pipe Cleaners, Leggings

Soundsuit of Dogwood Twigs

Jack Shainman Gallery is Located at 513 West 20th Street. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Ever After is on exhibit through October 8, 2011.

Mary Boone Gallery is Located at 541 West 24th Street. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For Now is on Exhibit through October 22, 2011.