Goodbye to All That

Well, there goes the neighborhood. Again. Next week, the Meatpacking District in New York loses yet another quirky gem—55 Gansevoort, the elevator shaft-turned-storefront gallery that lasted for two improbable years, showing a weird, motley assortment of artists (everyone from Augustus Thompson to Betty Tompkins to Matt Kenny, whose 2014 installation is pictured here) in its vitrine-like space. It will go dark next Friday so that Restoration Hardware, a company that bought their way into the contemporary art racket, can build a hotel conveniently next door to the relocated Whitney Museum. But before that goes down, pay homage tomorrow at 55 Gansevoort’s last opening, an installation by Rachel Foullon, accompanied by ice cream—and whiskey, shhh—on the sidewalk in front. There will be a soundtrack of sad songs compiled by proprietor Ellie Rines. “At least it was still cool when it ended,” she noted in a text message. “Besides, aren’t you a little relieved you don’t have to drink whiskey with 20 other people in 70 square feet anymore?” I—and at least 20 others—beg to differ.

“Rachel Foullon: DOUBLE GATE” opens Thursday, August 13, from 7 – 9PM at 55 Gansevoort in New York.