It’s that time again. Heart-shaped chocolates crop up near the Morton Williams checkout counters, foot traffic increases near Card-o-Mat, and anticipation grows among lovers, but not their single friends. V-Day. Whether you’re coupled up and guaranteed a bouquet of flowers and a batch of confectionery, or single and cursing Hallmark for catapulting the damned day into recognition, I’ve got something for you. Valentine’s Day: The Fun, Fantastical, and Freakish edition. From a Chelsea art gallery to the Museum of Sex, below you’ll find fun, fantastical, and freakish sights (and tastes, too) to enjoy on or around Valentine’s Day—or, for some of us, the day when singleness is brutally obvious.
Fantastical
On an quiet street near the westernmost edge of the island, lies 303 Gallery (547 W. 21st St.). Inside the small, stark space paintings from Inka Essenhigh’s spellbinding new exhibit, “The Old New Age”, adorn the walls.
From serene green goddesses to tree-laden woods amidst mountains of thick mists, Essenhigh’s paintings represent worlds that seem so complex and textured they are almost tangible. In “Lower East Side”, Essenhigh depicts a mystical interpretation of the New York City neighborhood. A young woman walks down the trash-littered street while revelers drink, laugh, and engage in various shenanigans from inside a nearby circular pub emanating a strong pink glow. Look at the canvas closer and you’ll notice a man with a white electric guitar popping out of a manhole in the lower left-hand corner.
Essenhigh’s “Lower East Side” portrays a rich world, replete with alleys and surprises. It almost seems as if one could reach out, enter this world and turn around one of the bends, but I’m not sure if I’d want to. Despite the light greens and pale pink color palette, the scene seems ominous and simultaneously delicate.
Fun
While you’re in the Chelsea neighborhood, visit Printed Matter, Inc. (195 10th Ave.), an offbeat, infinitely fun bookshop. Browsing around, I saw a draft of a never-produced but thoroughly planned TV show, a novel by Seth Price entitled “How To Disappear in America,” and “Flowers,” a picture book featuring alternating pictures of psychedelic flowers… and photos of drag queens.
After sating your appetite for quirky art literature, head to Chelsea Market and visit Eleni’s cookie store (75 9th Ave.). I’m no fan of cookies—bring me cupcakes, or (god forbid) a brownie, and I’m apt to eat myself silly—but I was pleasantly surprised by Eleni’s sweet treats. I taste-tested a heart-shaped frosted sugar cookie, as well as a red velvet mini-cupcake (I had to ensure that the cupcake sector was solid, and, let me tell you, it was).
If you’re looking for more than a humdrum container of chocolates to present your significant other (or yourself) on Valentine’s Day, order a box of Eleni’s love letter cookies. I kid you not, these cookies have an elaborate candy coating that contains a love letter; the other side of the cookie resembles an envelope sealed with a kiss. Not into epistles? Try the “Prince Charming” cookies, “Love Birds,” or “Sweet Messages” cupcakes.
Freakish
For those looking for a more unconventional Valentine’s day, delve into some bizarre territory at the Museum of Sex (233 Fifth Ave.). On Thursday, a new exhibit entitled “Rubbers: The Life, History & Struggle of the Condom” opened.
In the space of 15 minutes and one fairly small gallery, I learned the entire history of prophylactics ranging from primitive condoms (read: animal intestine and linens) to the revolutionizing vulcanized rubber condoms, to trusty modern latex sheaths. The exhibit also includes the history of venereal disease, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, condom artwork peppers the gallery.
My personal favorites include “Condoment Set”—salt and pepper shakers shaped like condoms—and “Condoms from FIST” by Franko B., a piece composed of hundreds of used and discarded condoms collected from floors and trashcans in FIST, a London gay dance club.
Once you’ve learned a lifetime’s worth of knowledge about condoms, explore the rest of the museum. Among other treasures, you’ll find examples of antique vibrators, sex cartoons from the 1930s and 40s, and “The Sex Lives of Robots,” a mini-exhibit created by Michael Sullivan showcasing robots in (extremely) sexual situations. The mini-exhibit features a clip from the pornographic stop animation film of the same title, which Sullivan refers to as, “footage of every conceivable sperm transfer device that is performed by robot pornographers and their well-lubricated machines.”
Inka Essenhigh’s “The Old New Age” opened Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 20, 2010. The Museum of Sex is holding extended hours (open until 9 p.m.) during Valentine’s Day Weekend, Feb. 12-14. Admission is $13.50 plus tax for students.
Comments
We're looking for comments that are interesting and substantial. If your comments are excessively self-promotional or obnoxious you will be banned from commenting. Consult the comment FAQ and legal terms.