Aperture Gallery & Bookstore

Came here for the Pablove Shutterbugs exhibit and auction event last night put on by the Pablove Foundation. It was my second time coming there and the space is perfectly suited for an evening of engaging and consuming artistic offerings. The elevator ride up can be a little tight for large or popular exhibits but then again, it’s New York.
Aperture is a non-​profit foundation which hosts various exhibits and events related to the photo community. The space is open and perfectly lit. The layout is designed in a way that almost makes you feel like you’re in a museum but after turning into the various sections on a few occasions the true size becomes more easily felt. The gallery also boasts a bookstore which adds to the museum-​like dynamic.
Vino, beer, and water (I wasn’t drinking last night so I indulged) were in abundance which always is the cherry on top of a great exhibit. Great event and hats off to both Aperture and the Pablove Foundations for the phenomenal work you do!

if you are a photography addict, this is the place for you. this gallery is the best photography gallery in Manhattan.
Unlike ICP in midtown where you usually have to pay whenever you want to get in any exhibition, going to Aperture in Chelsea is free, and the experience is beyond your traveling cost.
What i like about the gallery: the lighting. yes you read it correctly. i am a usual gallery goer. what i notice is that most of the time, galleries would have to dim the light to preserve the ink of photographs before the 80s. but let’s face it, i cannot enjoy every detail of a photograph in a low lighting condition. i look like an art enthusiast just because i have to spend minutes moving back and forth in front of each photo. in aperture i can see each photograph clearly from any angle. not to bright, but natural sunlight saves the lighting a lot. my eyes are so thankful for this.
What i like about the bookstore: you can sit there for hours and read any books they have. books here are in the best printed quality. there are also signed version by contemporary photographers. i recommend checking out Aperture’s magazines while you’re in the store. There is surely at least one issue that you’ll love. and the salesperson is really nice, too!
take the subway, then walk to aperture in the day. don’t use the NY’s erratic weather as an excuse for not walking outside. come here more than once a year. you can see the High Line changes as the season changes. you come to Aperture to see photos, and as you walk back to the subway, you’ll be in some photos taken by tourists from the High Line.

Fucking cool.
Rotating exhibits, fabulous art books for sale, knowledgable staff. Check it out.

I was in NYC for a few days over thanksgiving and carved out a specific trip to Chelsea just to see this gallery. I am Chicago photographer and really wanted to add this to my amazing trip brag list… but that is not the case! I made sure of their hours online multiple times since I planned to go the day before thanksgiving and it never changed from the normal 6pm time. I showed up at 5:15 pm to an empty gallery that was a mess, no hello or greeting from the rude girl behind the desk, and after being there for 45 seconds was told to leave because they were closing early. The other gentleman that was in there looking at books said sonething about them being open until 6 and she rolled her eyes and said «well we’re closing early». He walked out but I still wanted to look and buy a photo book after making a special trip there. Literally 2 minutes later she yells from across the room «time to leave!» …ummmmm I’m sorry but this is the rudest encounter I’ve possibly ever had. And to top it all off on my way out she was complaining to some guy that looked like he might have been setting up a show about how tired she was and that she was happy to leave early… well selling a book and showing art is obviously not an issue here!!!
Horrible experience even if it lasted 5 minutes and the commute there. Lame!!!

On Saturday (December 1), Aperture is having an all-​day (*free*) symposium entitled «The Latin American Photobook». I own the book and also books by two of the other photographers who will be speaking; it should be quite an interesting event and certainly a special opportunity (10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., but you must RSVP). The opening reception will be held on Thursday evening, from 6 – 8 p.m. (it’s free and there’s no need to RSVP). Given that the Aperture Foundation is a non-​profit, I think it’s rather remarkable that they hold free events — and particularly because many of their speakers live in other countries (i.e., it’s costly to fund their attendance).
Lastly; whenever I’ve attended events at Aperture, all of the staff have been extremely pleasant and helpful (also on the phone).

Recently visited the Aperture Gallery for «The Factory of Dreams» Launch Party on Aug. 2^nd. This is a great open space with a few small dividing walls so you still have some sort of seperation. The lighting is excellent for the display of the artwork. Definitely a very artsy feel when you walk through the door. I had a fun time. This particular Launch Party offered unlimited comped wine and had a few salsa dancers which added to the fun :-) Looking forward to the next event!

Blown away.
I am the daughter of a photographer, a photography enthusiast and aspiring collector, and an illustration buff; thus, with a discerning eye, I ascended into the 4^th Floor Gallery space at the Aperture Foundation yesterday with my most critical hat on. But hat’s off to them! This gallery is magnificent. I had the pleasure of seeing the works of some of the most notable photographers of today and yesterday up close and personal. I spent over an hour-​and-​a-​half enjoying the gallery and one of the finest photo exhibits I have ever seen. The staff was lovely, the space was beautiful and the exhibition I saw, curated by Delpire, was world class. A lovely way to spend an afternoon which I topped off with a walk down the Highline, only a block away! I will be back, I will donate, I will bring friends and family back to see future exhibitions and I will tell everyone reading this review that it is worth the trip to 27^th Street (subway to 23^rd then walk to 10^th Ave and up to 27^th and West one block) to enjoy this exceptional NYC gallery!
They do have works for sale as well as on display. Great for collectors!

Excellent space and the «reGeneration2» exhibit was definitely worth the visit. Nice collection of books and a focus on the up and coming photographers of the world. Friendly staff and nicely located down near the Chelsea Gallery district.

Sketchy area but space is intriguing and filled with some cool photography. However, when I came, it wasn’t a visit for the art but for a charity event. Very cool space filled with interesting exhibits. Disadvantage is that it’s not easy to get to but if you’re into photography, this may be a good place to start in terms of resources!