What They’re Saying: live arts in Brooklyn this week, Jan. 7
TECHNE: The Golden Key @ BAM
Art, AI, Installations
BAM Fisher, Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Pl, Fort Greene
Wednesday, Jan. 8 to Saturday, Jan. 11
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Visitors to “The Golden Key” step into an evolving narrative crafted by Artificial Intelligence as it spins an endless story rooted in mythical fantasy. Created by Marc Da Costa and Matthew Niederhauser, this immersive installation envisions a post-climate-crisis future and invites audiences to interact with the art.
Recently honored with the Jury Award in the 2024 SXSW XR Experience competition, “The Golden Key” is part of TECHNE, a series of four digital art installations curated by Onassis ONX. Tickets are available for individual entry or as part of a discounted bundle for all four TECHNE experiences.
“Techne, which runs through Jan. 19, is a festival within a festival. It is curated and primarily funded by Onassis ONX, a digital culture initiative by the Onassis Foundation, which built the studio and makes its multimillion-dollar facilities available to dozens of artists for free. … Next up is “The Golden Key,” which takes its name from a story by the Brothers Grimm, a short tale that invited readers to devise their own ending more than 200 years ago.” — Frank Rose, The New York Times
“‘Techne,’ one of the shows that opened the 20th anniversary ‘Under the Radar’ festival this weekend, reinforces its reputation for theater so experimental it makes you wonder what theater is. Comprised of a series of four “digital artworks” that will unfold over the next two weeks at BAM Fisher. … The Golden Key, January 8 – 11, Marc Da Costa and Matthew Niederhauser’s “interactive art installation” that taps into a database (excuse me, an “AI system”) of tens of thousands of folk tales.” — Jonathan Mandell, New York Theater
Stroller Tours: Elizabeth Catlett
Baby-Friendly, Art, Community
Brooklyn Museum, Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor, Prospect Heights
Thursday, Jan. 9 @ 10 a.m.
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Parents and caregivers can enjoy a stroller-friendly tour of “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” at the Brooklyn Museum, tailored for children up to 24 months old. This interactive program includes touchable objects, songs and close-up exploration of the exhibit, offering a chance to connect with other adults in a baby-friendly setting.
Tickets start at $32 and include museum admission, with discounted rates for members. Breastfeeding is welcome, and single strollers are required. The exhibit, open through Jan. 19, highlights Catlett’s legacy as a feminist, activist and influential Black artist of the 20th century.
“Now, for the first time in nearly 25 years, Catlett is the subject of a proper US retrospective, with some 150 of her works in multiple mediums brought together at the Brooklyn Museum. … The exhibition makes a compelling case that Catlett, though hardly overlooked in the history of American modernism, deserves to be viewed as a transnational pioneer and one of the finest 20th-century artists.” — Alex Greenberger, ART News
“Drawings and watercolors from her Howard undergraduate years — some signed “A. Catlett,” for Alice, her first name — and ephemera from that period convey an engaging picture of a gifted and sociable student … Some key early work from her Iowa years remains unlocated, however, including her master’s sculpture, a limestone mother-and-child piece, which won first prize at a national Black art exhibition in Chicago in 1940; you can browse a facsimile of her thesis statement on a tablet in the Brooklyn show.” — Siddhartha Mitter, The New York Times
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It Seems Today: An Improvised Episode of Family Guy
Comedy, Improv
Brooklyn Comedy Collective, 167 Graham Ave, Williamsburg
Friday, Jan. 10 @ 8:30 p.m.
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Get ready for a hilariously original twist on the iconic television show, as Jared Palmer Kirsch and Jay Reed return with a brand-new episode of their hit show “Improvised Family Guy.” This live performance recreates the beloved animated sitcom with improvised scenes, classic character moments and celebrity impressions.
Opening the night is comedy group CRAIG, featuring Oscar Landry, Brendan Dewley, Ethan St. Germain and Mackenzie Flusher. Attendees must be 21+, and this show is not officially affiliated with the official “Family Guy.”
“The Brooklyn Comedy Collective is an alternative comedy theater and school in East Williamsburg. It offers improv, sketch and stand-up classes for people who want to develop their comedic talents. The collective also hosts up to 24 shows a week for audiences to enjoy.” — News 12 Long Island
“The performances have the feeling of punk rock DIY spontaneity, down to its no-frills performance space, with the polish of heavy hitting comedy improvisers. The performers aren’t afraid to take risks and more often than not they payoff, and the shows are so varied and diverse that the whole experience feels inclusive. … The surrounding area has a ton of great restaurant options. It’s worth coming here for comedy no matter what neighborhood you are traveling from.” — Tom O., Yelp
Storytime w/ Emma Straub: Mama Hug @ Books Are Magic
Storytelling, Books, Reading
Books are Magic, 122 Montague St., Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, Jan. 11 @ 11 a.m.
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Emma Straub, the bestselling author behind novels such as “The Vacationers,” “Modern Lovers” and “All Adults Here,” brings the magic of love and laughter to little ones with her delightful new picture book, “Mama Hug.”
This heartwarming rhyming story follows a joyful day of fun, music and snuggles between a mother and her child. Bright and charming illustrations by Stevie Lewis bring the tender moments to life, making it a perfect pick for bedtime or as a thoughtful baby shower gift.
“In conversation Straub is as charming, easy going and accessible as her writing—and like her writing she can be sly and wry and almost sneakily profound.” — Brian Braiker, Brooklyn Magazine
“Emma Straub is basically the mayor of Cobble Hill.” — Esther Zuckerman, Thrillist
“Books Are Magic, which will sell everything from best-sellers to a wide selection of kids’ books to lesser-known titles by local authors … will also function as an event space. May’s calendar is already crowded, with a book launch for J. Courtney Sullivan, a reading with Brooklyn Writers Space and a paperback party for Straub’s latest novel, ‘Modern Lovers.’” — Melissa Kravitz, AMNY
Zine and Accordion Workshop @ Studio 45
Workshops, Book-making
Studio 45, 213 Troutman Street, Bushwick
Sunday, Jan. 12 @ 11 a.m.
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Explore the art of book-making at this monthly zine and accordion workshop, a hands-on event celebrating self-expression and Do-It-Yourself storytelling. Participants will craft their own self-published booklets and accordion-style books while learning about layout design, binding techniques and the art of blending text with visuals.
This collaborative gathering offers a chance to connect with like-minded creators, share ideas, and explore alternative publishing formats at Studio 45, an art-focused community and creative space in Bushwick. Come for an empowering experience that showcases the joy of storytelling.
“A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published unique work of minority interest, usually reproduced via photocopier. A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 1,000.” — University of Texas Libraries
“A little accordion book is one of my favorite things to make. I’ve made quite a few since the very first one I made for my parents’ 50th anniversary, years ago … These tiny books are so versatile! They can be used as greeting cards, little photo books, tiny journals, etc. They also make great little sketchbooks for you or your kids, or have your child tell a story by drawing a picture on each panel.” — An Artful Mom