xplore a diverse array of artistic pieces at Mika Gallery’s current pop-up in New York City. Held at our Versatile Space just outside of Midtown’s Refinery Hotel, the gallery showcases a myriad of works. From mixed media pieces that are simultaneously chaotic and harmonized to dramatic, high-contrast, mysterious photographs, no visitor will leave the gallery uninspired.
Situated in a part of New York City that draws lots of foot traffic and people of varied backgrounds, this is the perfect pop-up space for gallery owners who desire to attract new and engaging customers. Hotel guests and passersby alike are inclined to stop inside, as vibrant colors and an unbeatable location stand out. As I stopped to take a look inside, several others also traipsed in.
The space is set up beautifully, featuring different mediums on each wall. Upon walking into the pop-up, visitors will immediately notice artist Sarah Bahbah’s enormous photographs, which juxtapose food and romance. One photograph displays a woman lying in bed, eating huge spread of food, while a woman eats a hot dog after showering in another photo.
As visitors walk towards the back of the pop-up, they will do a double-take as they glance at British artist Lucy Sparrow’s work. Working mainly with felt, Sparrow has put together very realistic felt creations that resemble objects existing in the world of consumerism. Replicas of commonplace grocery store items – Kraft macaroni and cheese, Campbell’s soup, and the like – can be seen.
Ido Shemi, yet another artist highlighted in the spacious venue, presents work with three-dimensional holograms. In the pieces, Shemi introduces surreal, multilayered landscapes that model old postcards of the 1900s. Viewers can move to certain spots of the pop-up and stare at Shemi’s work; they’ll be able to see different facets of the holograms at different viewing points that are invisible at other distances.
Overall, Mika Gallery’s pop-up has been (and continues to be) a giant success. We loved the unexpected pairing of the space’s exposed brick walls and simple neutral coloring with vibrant, saturated artwork. The transformation of the otherwise bare space is both dynamic, aesthetically appealing, and truly wonderful. We can’t wait to see Mika Gallery’s future pop-ups, and are excited to see how our space is further converted.
Words & Photography by Katie Roscoe
