Unrequited is akin to being at a library but only reading a single page in each book, or scrolling through Netflix but only watching trailers. It's like waking up hungover at a brunch-buffet on a Sunday morning, finding yourself faced with croissants, bacon, ham, sausages, eggs, pancakes, bagels, cream cheese, avocados, bananas, blueberries, yogurt, etc, etc. But does it satisfy or does it leave you feeling overwhelmed and nauseous? A group show always presents a delicate balance.
Spy Project’s New York debut is not an imitation like the posturing mannequins at the adjacent flagship store, nor is it an attempt to mimic the legacy in which it finds itself ensconced. Rather, it offers a genuine experience devoid of pretense. Unrequited sits you down for family dinner, where conversations traverse generations, opinions vary, and no one hesitates to voice their views.
Before I left the gallery on Wednesday afternoon, Apple opened the window to invite neighbors smoking on the fire escape across the street to the opening the following evening. Despite seeming to have absolutely nothing in common, there they were, finding a connection.