Curated by MetroColorCollision
(Julie Fishkin + Matt Lucas)

Dear New York City and its righteous team of compatriots,

We write you now not out of vehement disapproval or dismay or even tacit resentment—no, sir—but rather we write you out of resolute admiration to say, hey kids, you’re not so bad. Sure you’ve given us grief. You’ve used our door step as your garbage repository; you’ve filled our space with noise and smoke; you’ve brought roaches, rodents and mysterious odors to inhabit our space; and you’ve sent the 5-0 to trundle through, issuing citation after unnecessary citation to our patiently loyal guests. But you never gave up on us, and we returned the smiles, occasional clenched teeth notwithstanding. You’ve taken solid punches but you kept going, not because of all your improvements and enhancements over the years but despite them. And that is why we love you all the same.

We gave you I’ll be your mirror…so you can break into endless shards to show that we’re vulnerable and our own misgivings help us see yours. We gave you REVERB to show that singular moments can still be radically amazing with you. We even gave you the Eisenberg Grocery & Deli because you still have a taste for cheap convenience. Finally, we thank you with 1(212): the City’s Summer Heist. 1(212) is a program of alternating nods to you, sweet city, to celebrate unremitting life and the art it breeds. We present four two-week exhibitions that alternate between solo and double. You’re huge, you’re confusing, you’re inspiring, and you’re inescapably real, just like the work we present to you. We hope you enjoy the program because your buzz gives meaning to ours. Should we upset, offend, overwhelm or astound you, please tell us about it.

Sincerely yours,

The Heist Team