In the midst of designer shops and numerous eateries that comprise the Meatpacking District lies Fort Gansevoort.
Located on 5 Ninth Avenue, only a few blocks from the New Whitney Museum along with the Highline and the Chelsea Galleries, the new cultural hub for art, retail, and food could not have been located at a more strategic location. Fort Gansevoort is founded by curator and famed producer of the documentary Lenny Cooke, Adam Shopkorn. For Fort Gansevoort’s opening exhibit, Shopkorn chose graffiti artist CES. A long time admirer of his work, Shopkorn said:
“I was fascinated by the proliferation of his work and began to notice it everywhere. I recently saw this series of drawings and I fell in love with a body of work I had not known CES was making. The small works achieve a level of delicacy that stands in complete contrast to the hard edged quality of his graffiti. I am delighted to inaugurate our gallery with the work of a New York legend and to expand the public’s understanding of his art.”
In addition to providing a unique platform for artist series that aren’t available else where, Shopkorn wanted to provide a small retail space. Alongside The That’s My Name Talking show by CES, there are a small variety of goods being sold by local artists. The exhibit takes up the second and third floor. In keeping with the original theme of the restaurant that once existed at the Fort Gansevoort Row House, Shopkorn has converted the bar areas on each of the three floors to serve as small retail shops selling goods from local artists. The backyard serves as the BBQ take out joint that will soon be up and running. At the opening on July 16th, guests were served burgers made by the multi talented DJ and producer, Franco V. Joining in on the night’s festivities were Sarah Arison, Helio Campos, Ricky Clifton, Casey Fremont Crowe & Brandon Crowe, Peter Davis, Cheryl Dunn, Todd Eberle, Austin Fremont, Katya Gause, Nicholas Graham, Laura de Gunzburg, Hanuk Hanuk, Sarah Hoover, Jessica Joffe, Susan Kirschbaum, Nemo Librizzi, Maripol, Nicole Miller, David Morehouse, James Perkins, Bettina Prentice, Alexis Rockman, Benny and Ava Safdie, Donna De Salva, Mikhail Sokovikov, Eve Therond, Kristen Joy Watts, Adam Weinberg and Carmen Zita.
Adam Shopkorn did a great job in bringing together the art and food culture that comprises the Meatpacking District while still remaining true to the architecture of the location. Be sure to check out the That’s My Name Talking show by CES which will on display till August 15.
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Photo Credit: Max Lakner/BFAnyc.com
