SHOW OF HANDS

The nail art trend gets museum props.

Whether you are a nail art aficionado or have never gotten a manicure in your life, you’ll want to check out the Vanity Projects’ Weekend Pop-Up nail art salon at MoMA PS1.

Hang a left as you enter the museum to find Confettisystem’s massive, two-story installation, 100 Arrangements. Stationed inside, the talent includes locals Fleury Rose, who recently became brand ambassador for Illamasqua, and Naomi Yasuda, whose handiwork can be found in Chanel and Fendi ads.

The driving force behind the Vanity Projects is former freelance curator Rita Pinto who thought that offering manicures was a good way to get gallery goers to sit through video installations.

And, she started to discover an unforeseen effect: “Generally people hold their cards pretty close to the chest when it comes to social networking in the art world,” says Pinto. “But women getting intricate nail art next to each other for 45 minutes start cracking open their Rolodexes.” In fact, after her nail appointment at Vanity Projects’ Art Basel pop-up in December, MoMA’s assistant director of development Angela Goding invited Pinto to bring her production to PS1. “I think it was after the trustees got their nails done with us that they were finally convinced this was a good idea,” Pinto adds.

Like at any nail salon, you will need to make an appointment at PS1—and they are filling up fast. But Pinto plans to open a permanent nail salon, complete with art videos, on New York’s Lower East Side.

Vanity Projects Weekend Pop-Up at PS1 takes place February 3 from 3pm to 6pm, and February 16, March 2, 9 & 16 from noon to 6pm. Manicures start at $50 and include admission to the museum. For an appointment, RSVP to rita@vanityprojectsnyc.com.

Extra Session added in Chelsea: Saturday, February 2 at 525 W 29th Street, 2nd Floor.

Photos: The Happy Accident