system:system at The Convent

Curators Adam Henry and Christina Vassallo, of Super Square, put together a show called system:system in a former convent in Greenpoint featuring installations by over 30 artists. The most successful installations were interventions, subtle and bold, that engaged or took advantage of the convent's uniqueness. The weaker work, hung innocuously on the walls as if this were any other exhibition space. In the end though, I was so excited about the show that I went twice. With buildings and spaces like this going unused and falling into disrepair, it is pretty thrilling to see proprietors who have the insight to give them over to artists and curators.

The opening was really fun, packed, but not sardines, everyone filing through hallways, in and out of little rooms, discovering installations and performers around every corner.


Installation in the foreground by MiYoung Sohn


One of my absolute favorite pieces, by Adam Henry, 7 balloons rested on the basement floor and 7 balloons were nestled in a skylight in the ceiling, connected by 7 strings, 4 stories long, suspended in the stairwell; This is the view looking up from below


Looking down; and Ben :)


The chapel where bands and films played


Yeni Mao's I ain't afraid of no ghosts, in the basement, a complex composition of mousetraps and a pile of crystals in the center


Deborah, looking pretty, on the phone, and clutching our local pride, Brooklyn Lager

I took Mike back on Sunday since he missed the opening. While the night-time had a kind of haunted feeling, the day revealed an entirely different exhibition, afternoon sun streaming through the windows.


Former convent of the St. Cecilia Parish


Space altering installations by Kai Vierstra (front); SOFTlab (back)


The hall looking back toward the entry


Melissa Brown installed a series of faux stained-glass windows like this throughout the building


GORGEOUS installation by Studio Mode; It's fall outside!


Lisha Bai altered the floor tiling in this room; In a show full of bold statements, this is one of the more subtle and effective installations


My Space installation by e-team, a durational performance in which someone stood behind the door pushing back as visitors pushed inward trying to enter


Installation by Derick Melander, amazingly executed, clothes folded and stacked immaculately; In the back, the stack is perfectly fit inside a closet