Two Shows in Brooklyn Worth Checking Out

Last night I was fortunate enough to attend two openings in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at two not-for-profit art spaces. (I know what you're thinking, riffRAG goes to Williamsburg!? Don't you just stay in your apartments and carp about that scene? But seriously, these shows are worth it). The first was the show Once Upon a Time 1, a multi-media group exhibition by curated by Stephanie Jeanjean at Nurtureart, a non-profit art gallery. What I found most interesting about this show was that the pieces could work together- exploring the idea of rhythm, light and creating a narrative with many possible combinations. I especially enjoyed Isabelle Ferraira's video of two ceiling lamps placed on the floor over burning candles. The lamps glow and then slowly fade as the candles burn up all the oxygen and snuff them selves out. Maybe more a "piece to tell" she told me, but also abstract, beautiful and peaceful to watch.
Next I ventured to Tastes Like Chicken Art Space for their "Art of the Neighborhood," a second annual survey show of artists living roughly in East Williamsburg. There I enjoyed Caroline Mak's installations or string, nails, lace, pearls and spray foam- looking both delicate, ladylike and gruesomely biological. Another highlight for me was the fake china tea set, illustrated delicately with scenes from industrial Brooklyn and cut out of foam core. The piece also included a matching, upholstered chair, also cut from foam core, but unfortunately looking so realistic that someone sat on it and the chair had to be removed.
Both these shows are worth a look for artists and not-for-profit spaces doing interesting things, work that is about the idea, craft and creation and not about the "scene" or the money.