New York, USA01/26–04/26

Marie-Andrée Pellerin

Watch out for an exceptionally cold winter in New York City, with Monster Storms striking reliably every Sunday. A cooling effect on the political climate and slippery slopes are also to be expected. Stay warm and enjoy the steam pouring out of the city's pipes.  

1. My stay in one sentence:
  A once-in-a-lifetime experience that was both incredible and very social, filled with great memories and new friendships with people from all over the world.
2. Dos & Don’ts in this place:
  Get rid of your fear of missing out! It’s impossible to attend everything that’s happening in this massive city. After experimenting with a variety of events, focus on the cultural venues and exhibition spaces that best align with your interests. Don’t expect to be very productive; the ISCP is an extremely social place, and even a short break can turn into a two-hour conversation. Make time to explore the city, its different neighborhoods and art institutions. To take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, take the train upstate to Dia:Beacon or to Coney Island.
3. Things I miss since I am no longer there:
  I was struck by the intensity of the city and by the wonderful, insightful group of artists, cultural workers and curators I met at the ISCP.
4. Where to shop great supplies:
  Make an appointment at Material for the Arts via the ISCP. It’s a paradise warehouse where artists and cultural workers can get all sorts of things for free, including devices, textiles, household items, art supplies, cables, screens, lamps and books. I even got an old but functioning iMac.
  Other options include The Big Reuse, a large warehouse for second-hand objects and supplies at very affordable prices, as well as online shops — NYC is very much oriented towards online shopping.
  As a video artist, I also signed up to watch a 1920s film from the MoMA Film Archive in the Film Studies Department. It’s free, and you get a small theater all to yourself to watch a film.
5. What you should definitely bring from home:
  Besides plug adapters and the paperwork required to enter the US, I would also bring some finished artworks to present during studio visits. The ISCP has monitors and projectors, which you can request to have installed in your studio for showing audiovisual content. Handing out small publications, cards or postcards to studio visitors and new friends is also a good way to stay in touch.
  Make sure you leave some space in your luggage for the journey home. Don’t bring too many books or clothes! Bookshops and second-hand shops are a whole other story in NYC — I would definitely recommend exploring them. Also, note that winters can be cold.
6. Concerning art at this destination and where I visited the best exhibitions:
  As a video and time-based artist, I particularly recommend the Swiss Institute, Amant near the ISCP, the Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA) and the e-flux programme. I also enjoyed some of the exhibitions I saw at MoMA PS1, the New Museum and the Whitney Museum. Sound art lovers should not miss Dream House, a sound installation by La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela that has been running in an apartment since the 1990s.
  I purchased the American Alliance of Museums online card. Even if it is not clearly mentioned on their website, it gives you free access to many museums, often with a +1.
  There are so many great cultural offers. For instance, you can sign up to attend the live broadcast of the iconic Daily Show as an audience member. This is a good way to engage with critical political discourses. Sign up in advance to get a slot during your four-month residency.
7. Around the studio – where I shop, drink coffee, and find the best lunch nearby:
  A-Pou’s Taste, a Taiwanese restaurant.
  Aburi Sushi has a very nice lunch menu.
  Claudia’s, a Guatemalan restaurant with happy hour martinis.
  The ISCP collective kitchen is also a nice place to meet colleagues and ISCP staff and have lunch together. There is a strong “bring your own lunch” microwave culture in the US.
8. Where I like to spend the evening (dinner, drinks, good sound, networking):
  Eating in Chinatown, for example at Thai Palace or in dumpling restaurants.
  An amazing chain of dumpling restaurants: Xi’an Famous Foods.
  Try the typical American diners and Mexican tacos.
  KGB Bar in the East Village.
  e-flux Bar, especially for listening evenings.
  Viva Toro, a cheesy cowboy bar with a rodeo.
  Events at the ISCP or with ISCP colleagues in the city. In general, I wouldn’t worry about having nothing to do — rather the opposite! Make sure to also find some evenings to rest.
9. What would have been useful to know before starting my residency:
  A former ISCP alumnus told me to expect an intense, social stay that focuses more on representation and conversation than production. My four-month residency passed very quickly. Rather than expecting to be highly productive in the studio, I would expect to collect a few new ideas and images, and to forge contacts with people from all over the world. Once back home, you can then turn the experience into new works and collaborations.
  The Austrian funding structures provide very supportive conditions for artists. Many artists in residence at the ISCP have to find their own accommodation, which can be challenging, stressful and time-consuming in NYC. I was grateful to be given a large studio and a flat in a city where artists can hardly afford to live anymore.


Website resident:              marieapellerin.info

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