David Zwirner Gallery

Absolute disappointment. Nothing is interesting in this gallery. In fact, really random and even offensive crap. Yes, crap.

Ridiculously overbearing staff = Big fat 0.
Unfortunately, if you read through these reviews you’ll see that I’m not the only one who has had an unpleasant experience here due
Yes, De Wain Valentine’s Circles and Columns are made of cast resin. I fully understand having a gallery representative in each room to ensure visitors are respectful towards the pieces. No, I do not like my art with a side of snide art-​gallery-​woman following me from room to room, glaring at me. I had leaned slightly over Ring Blue in order to view it from above. I am above average height and did not stick my face into the ring, let my earrings near it or make any movement suggesting I was going to touch anything. This elicited a, «you need to back up further than two feet. Now.» The fact that I immediately backed up and apologized should have been, I would have thought, enough to persuade her that I wasn’t out to do anything other than examine the pieces. Perhaps she was bored or angry about something, but her stalking me through the remainder of my time in the exhibit (despite other gallery employees in each of the rooms) was enough to make me actually dislike my visit. We left before seeing everything in the gallery, my sister turning to me to say, «can you BELIEVE that girl??»
I very much doubt that said woman, repeatedly pushing up her hipster glasses and pursing her lips as she glared at me, would have been able to do anything had I been someone intent on doing anything other than studying and enjoying Valentine’s works, which lead me to wonder why there weren’t actual security guards.
I might go back to the Zwirner Gallery at some point, and hope to give it a better review then, assuming the gallery begins to employ individuals who want people to enjoy their time viewing the art.

I’ve visited David Zwirner Gallery twice now — both times for the Yayoi Kusama exhibits. My first time was for the «I Who Have Arrived in Heaven» and then recently for the Obliteration Room exhibit.
I still remember the first time I came here a year and a half ago with my friend for the «I Who Have Arrived in Heaven» exhibit. It was in the middle of a freezing winter day on a Saturday and we had to wait 4.5 hours in line outside on the street in the arctic blast for the Infinity Room in our flats. It was not pleasant (quite brutal actually) but it was worth the wait and I’d do it all over again. The Infinity Room was absolutely magical but you were only allowed 45 seconds in there. You could either go by yourself or go in with your friend (s). The Loving is Calling exhibit was really awesome as well and the line for that wasn’t as bad because the room could fit a lot more people.
Recently I came for the Obliteration Room on a weekday right at 10 AM when it opened. There were no lines but still a decent amount of people. Since it wasn’t as crazy busy as the previous exhibit (also probably because it was a weekday), everyone was allowed to spend as much time as they wanted in the room which was a treat especially when it’s so hard to get a good photo without anyone photobombing you unintentionally. Staff also gave us colorful stickers to add to the Obliteration room. When I was done, I checked out Yayoi Kusama’s Dreaming Pumpkin room for a bit and then went into the art gallery to check out her new art.
I haven’t been here for any other exhibits but I love how the area is so spacious and clean. If there ever is a very popular exhibit here (aka Yayoi Kusuma) I highly recommend coming on a weekday even if you don’t live in the city. Just have a treat yourself day and look at some wonderful art :)

Yayoi Kusama review.
1 stars for Staff and 4.5 for the exhibits/​paintings. Overall 3 (generous based on my experience imo), came away from the exhibit feeling mediocre due to rude and aggressive staff. Otherwise I would have enjoyed the exhibit much more.
I came on the last day of the obliteration room exhibit and there was a long wait, about an hour. It was super hot but luckily there was a mr softee truck nearby.
We finally get to the room but the staff was very rude and allowed 2 minutes in the room (as opposed to the 3 minutes in the reviews below). We were each given a sheet of stickers to stick around the room. We saw it would be more fun to stick stickers on each other instead of the room since it was already covered in stickers.
The staff rudely said we had too many stickers on our clothes and we can only stick 3 stickers on clothing, the rest needs to be on the room or it goes into the trash. Definitely not allowed to walk away with a sticker sheet. (Odd protocol? Can get stickers in a staples.) The group wanted to take a final photo by the exit, but one of the room staff firmly stood behind us and and said «OK OK GET OUT.» Needless to say we were not allowed to take the photo. I am blown away by how rude the staff was, we were not in the way of anyone and we were already at the exit — would 5 seconds to take a photo be the end of the world?
Finally we went into the gallery to look at the paintings, one of the kids lightly touched the painting to see if it was a real painting, since it was not roped off, no signs saying «please don’t touch». One of the gallery staff flew over and said «Could you not touch the painting?!» … ok lady, relax.
Needless to say I won’t be back unless there is an exhibit I am dying to see.

Came here for the obliteration room and the line was pretty long. My bf and I waited about 45 mins for just a room! The obliteration room was amazing! There were colorful polka dots everywhere. They also give you a sheet of stickers were you can either stick on yourself or on the wall. It was pretty fun!
Afterwards we went into different art rooms and every single piece of art looked amazing! I am so happy and graceful for these artists!

First time here! It’s funny how there’s so much in New York that locals like myself don’t know about. Nice gallery space with a pleasant staff.

Came here last Tuesday to check out the famous obliteration room that I’ve been seeing on my instagram newsfeed. I loved the interactive experience we had in the room!
We were given stickers to place anywhere in the room which including on ourselves lol. It was a lot of fun and I definitely think that this is also a great place to bring kids along as well. Since it’s a popular exhibition, we didn’t get to stay in for too long but it was worth the visit :)

I went to the Yayoi Kusama exhibit. It’s definitely worth checking out but be aware that there’s about an hour wait to get in. I got in line around 3pm. Also they will try to rush you in the room to keep the line moving which is understandable but there’s still about an hour wait for 3 min in the room.

*** Yayoi Kusama review ***
Came here for the Obliteration room exhibit. It was a really short wait despite getting there after 10 AM (I guess it’s not as popular as last year’s exhibit?). We probably waited about 10 minutes max. The staff let you take your time in the exhibit too, which was really nice. Such a fun exhibit! Highly recommend for dates, kids, etc! Note: You can take as many photos as you want!

This was my first visit to the location and it was easy to find. I immediately noticed a garage door opened with a lined formed outside of a house. I realized I have arrived at the desired location.
I waited for about three to four minutes and the person at the exhibit handed everyone a sheet of stickers. I believe it’s called participatory art. You can place the stickers throughout the home and create your own work of art.
The artist was Yayoi Kusama and this particular exhibit will be at the gallery till June 13, 20 015. «Give me Love» is a must see if you are in New York.

A good friend mentioned to me that the Armory is offering a haunted house special called Hell in the Armory, it involves performance arts and BDSM scene that is meant to scare and provoke. Halloween is the biggest holiday in San Francisco for Peter Pans (yes it’s also a birthday to a certain someone), and this could be one of the best, if not the best entertainment in town. Yet, before I had decided to go or not, I was sufficiently discouraged by the production value after having just returned from New York. You see, New York gets high concept art. There is nothing like Sleep No More NY. There is nothing like what’s on display at David Zwirner Gallery: Marcel Dzama’s Une Danse des Bouffons completed entranced me.
This is the difference between a superb art gallery and a provincial town like San Francisco. Even the highest provocateur like the Armory cannot produce the high concept art one would expect to see on any given day in Chelsea. David Zwirner Gallery puts up a phenomenal show. Two films played simultaneously while the art on the wall tells an intriguing story. Children sat through the film, not once but twice, equally mesmerized. Art is ageless.
The space is quite lovely. Very airy and sparse. I’m biased of course because David Zwirner is German and German aesthetics appeals to me.
Time Out magazine has given tourists an quintessential New York gallery to visit. Now how do I get myself a piece of Marcel Dzama?

I came here for the first time today for an exhibition, and I have to admit this is the best exhibition that I have been to ever. There were lots of people and huge line, but it did move quite quickly. The staff is great here, they were really nice, friendly and helpful. You should check it out for yourself…

Free food is the only way you can get me to a gallery (or at least a food theme with free admission — this had both). This space is pretty huge, fitting well with its gallery neighbors over here. Came for the exhibition «A Mercantile Novel», which was pretty interesting, but tastier than it was fascinating:
«Oscar Murillo will recreate a candy-​making factory inside the New York gallery (519 West 19^th Street) in collaboration with Colombina, the premier food company in Colombia. Founded in Murillo’s hometown of La Paila in the early twentieth century, Colombina has a strong history and connection with the artist, who was born in 1986 and moved with his parents to the United Kingdom in the 1990s. Murillo’s mother and father both worked for the factory and many of his family members and childhood friends continue to be employed at the site.»

I finally understand the excitement and perseverance you cronut and ramen burger maniacs endure by waiting in line for hours. It’s madness, I tell you.
I’ve always been enthralled by the exhibitions David Zwirner has to offer but I am just too lazy to walk to almost the end of the West side. I came here with a friend at around 3:30 p.m. the day before the Yayoi Kusuma exhibit closed and the line went around in front of the gallery. Luckily, while we were at it, we made a few friends on line so they saved our spot while we visited the «Love is Calling» exhibit for 15 minutes, where lines were much smoother.
After 3 and a half hours of waiting with the damn sweet aroma from the crêpe truck lingering my nose, we finally get in and another line around the gallery. Not a bad thing, considering the paintings of Kusuma were also on display – a great way to keep our minds and frustrations to see the main display.
By the time we were only a few steps away from entering the room, the workers assigning different groups of people to sit and slide down felt robotic. Yes, once you step into their gallery, they own you.
They kept the timing very precise and wanted to finish as fast as possible – 40 seconds per 2 people.
Now on to the actual room…
It was absolutely gorgeous and the water made the room very calming and peaceful. One thing I didn’t like much about it was that the lights were blinking. It was like having a seizure in the universe. Definitely don’t use flash as they advise as it will hurt your eyes severely

FINALLY got a chance to visit the 2 Yayoi Kusama infinity rooms recently and it was well worth the wait! It’s more ideal to come on a weekday if you can, but if you can only make it on a weekend be sure to get here plenty early. I recommend getting here as early as 8:30am and toughing it out. If you arrive at this time, it’ll probably be about a 1 hour wait only (for the The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away room) when the doors open at 10am. Luckily the «Love is Calling» room had no wait at all so we went to the Lights room (door closer to 11^th Avenue) first and then immediately went into the Love room (door closer to 10^th Avenue). I heard the wait for people at the back of the line was up to 5 hours, so dress very warmly and wear ALOT of layers on your feet, body and head.
Although the wait can be long for the Light room, it can be fun if you bump into the right people on the line like my friend and I. We chatted it up with a few linemates the entire time and it was an absolute blast waiting with them. It’s amazing the people you can meet randomly! We chatted about everything from who we were, our careers, schools to topics like movies, funny current events and personal experiences of waiting.
As for the Light room, there is another 15 minute wait inside the gallery once you get in. In that time, you are given «booties» to wear on your feet to keep the infinity room clean. You also get a preview of the Light room as the door opens everytime to let the next person in. Once you get in, you are timed and given 60 seconds to do whatever you like in the room, including snap photos. I recommend snapping as many photos as possible at the start and then looking around after. As you walk in, you notice the pond of water surrounding your standing platform. The lights flicker throughout the 60 seconds and the room goes dark at one point as well. It’s quite an interesting experience.
After you’re done, head straight to the Love room. Same scenario — Booties on and 60 seconds, however many people can go into the room at once. Once inside, you’ll immediately notice all the colors and mirrors. Once again, snap as many photos as possible and then take a look around to appreciate it. After you leave, you get to go to a room where a «CREEPY» video of Yayoi Kusama is shown. It’s a bit weird, but I guess the entire exhibit is. Overall, well worth the unique experience as it’s being shown only a limited amount of time, so go quick before it ends!

Came here for Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit.
We arrived after 9:30am on a cold cold Saturday and waited until 11 before we could see the light room that everyone was lining up for. The room itself was amazing. I loved it. But we were only allowed to be in the room for 45 seconds. I understand that this is a practical solution since a lot of people want to see it and the line is already long even with a 45 second restriction in place, but this really disrupted the viewing experience. It’s hard to appreciate it in 45 seconds. The only thing you could really do is take some pictures, post online and try to relive it later.
If I could go again, (though probably won’t), I would want to try to just look and enjoy the room for the full 45 seconds and not worry about taking pictures.
I don’t know if the 45 seconds was worth the wait in the cold.

I came here to see Yayoi Kusama’s I Who Have Arrived In Heaven. I wouldn’t have known about it had it not been for a friend out in SF who sent me the link.
It was a Saturday and I guess when things are hyped up… there are lines. We walked way to the back of one line only to realize it was for the infinity room and the wait was probably 3+ hours. No thanks. Someone outside trying to organize the chaos that was the line situation brought us to the line for the Love is Calling exhibit. We waited for maybe 15 – 30 minutes until we got inside. Were they colored tentacles? I’m not sure. You get to spend 1 minute inside and take as many photos as you want. The mirrored room definitely gives the place much more depth.
Once you exit, there’s a video of Yayoi singing one a poem about Manhattan, wearing a red wig and a polka dotted top. I think the dots are a consistent theme in her work.
We then ventured over to the gallery. What a huge space. And her pieces, vibrant… so many eyes… so many faces… I noted to my plus one that I appreciated the imperfection in the pieces – every dot didn’t need to be the same size. But I’m no art afiicionado so I’ll leave the interpretation to the pros.
Probably better to come on a weekday. I might come back for infinity room… caught a small glimpse of it as I was passing by the indoor part of the line – I think you can only fit 1 – 3 people in there at a time.

I came here the other day to see «I Who Have Arrived in Heaven» by Yayoi Kusama. WHAT A SHOW! Bring a camera and get there early! There was about a 30 min wait around 10:15 on a Thursday morning. My friend said there was a 3 hour wait on a saturday.
It’s worth it. The visual stimulation one has by going into Yayoi Kusama’s exhibits is unbounded. I would gladly do it again. And again. And again. Great pictures — you’re allowed to take pictures too, no flash!
Best part: IT’S FREE!!!

Came here for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition ’ I who have arrived in Heaven ’
Wow this was definitely one of the best exhibitions I have visited in years .
there is a long line but its under control and the staff are very helpful and friendly .
Would recommend visiting this show before it closes in December and take a camera .
make sure you line up for both rooms as they are completely different.

I came here to see Yayoi Kusama’s installations and paintings. I fell in love with her work when I saw it for the first time at the Tate Modern in London a few years ago and was thrilled to find out that her work was being shown at this gallery.
We came before the gallery opened and there was already a line halfway down the block. Our wait time was about 30 – 45 minutes to see the exhibits, but it was definitely worth it. Bring a camera :)
I hope to come back here soon as this gallery represents some really cool artists.