Art in General Revives New York's Contemporary Art Scene with Pop-Up Exhibition

After a five-year hiatus, Art in General, a cornerstone of New York's contemporary art scene, is set to reopen with a pop-up exhibition at Yve Yang Gallery in Soho on August 22, 2025. The non-profit organization, renowned for championing emerging and experimental artists, closed its physical location in 2020 due to financial constraints exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded in 1981 by artists Martin Weinstein and Teresa Liszka, Art in General has a storied history of supporting avant-garde art. Over nearly four decades, the organization showcased the work of more than 2,000 artists, including Marina Abramović, Glenn Ligon, Gabriel Orozco, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. Initially located at 79 Walker Street in Tribeca for 35 years, it relocated to the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2016.

The upcoming exhibition, curated by Qingyuan Deng, features a diverse group of artists:

• Lee Bul: A South Korean artist known for her futuristic sculptures and installations that explore themes of technology and the human body.

• Josh Kline: An American artist whose work addresses the impact of technology and capitalism on contemporary life.

• Agnieszka Kurant: A Polish artist who investigates collective intelligence and the economy of knowledge in her multidisciplinary practice.

• Heidi Lau: A Macau-born artist recognized for her ceramic sculptures that delve into themes of memory and mythology.

• Davina Semo: An American artist whose work often incorporates industrial materials to explore themes of communication and control.

• Wong Ping: A Hong Kong-based artist known for his vibrant animations that comment on social issues and human desires.

• Xaviera Simmons: An American artist whose multidisciplinary practice includes photography, performance, and installation, often addressing themes of history and identity.

A reception is scheduled for August 28 at Yve Yang Gallery, located at 12 Wooster Street, New York.

Xiaoyu Weng, a New York-based curator and writer, has been appointed as the new director of Art in General. Weng previously served as the artistic director of the Tanoto Art Foundation in Singapore and held positions at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. In a statement, Weng emphasized the organization's mission:

"We wanted to bring back Art in General, because it feels uniquely suited to tackle the key issues facing artists and curators today. Whether it comes from the market or an authoritarian government, important voices across the art world are being silenced. Art in General has a mandate to create spaces that exist outside censorship."

While searching for a new permanent space, Art in General plans to host pop-up exhibitions, talks, and events throughout New York City. This nomadic approach aims to maintain the organization's presence and continue its mission of supporting emerging and experimental artists.

The reopening of Art in General signifies a revitalization of New York's art scene, particularly in the realm of non-profit organizations dedicated to contemporary and experimental art. The organization's commitment to providing platforms for underrepresented artists aligns with broader societal movements advocating for diversity and inclusion in the arts. By hosting pop-up exhibitions and events, Art in General also contributes to the dynamic cultural landscape of the city, offering accessible art experiences to a wide audience.

As Art in General embarks on this new chapter, its legacy of fostering innovative artistic practices and supporting emerging artists continues to resonate within the art community. The organization's adaptive approach reflects a broader trend among non-profit art spaces navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic era, underscoring the enduring importance of such institutions in the cultural fabric of New York City.