I braved the snow this morning and made my way out to Chelsea’s Mixed Greens Gallery to check out A. A. Rucci’s newest exibit, “Don’t Take All Night, To Show Me You Love Me”. I often forget to take the time to browse through Chelsea’s many tiny and lovely galleries. It is always oddly satisfying: the clean white walls, empty rooms of exciting new work, quietness save for the clicking of heels walking slowly around the space.

Today was no different. The gallery was empty, and I was free to wander in total silence. The collection was small and sparse but enjoyable none the less. Rucci’s work uses brilliant color and texture, and thus pops off the smooth white walls. The brightness of each painting burns your eyes a little, but the effect is unusual and exciting. Some of his work is dedicated solely to this examination of color, often through thin bright stripes and circular canvases. Other paintings in the collection are slightly more narrative , featuring bodies with no heads and colorful birds.

The highlights of the collection are the few sculptures Rucci has included this time around. The sculptures involve gold birds perched in diverse spaces. They are unexpected and beautifully frivolous. Also be sure to seek out the titles of each painting which are hidden in the corner of the gallery on tiny white slips of paper, and not next to the painting. The titles are long, enchanting sentences that add volumes to each work of art.

Though I wouldn’t necessarily say this particular exhibit is a must see, it is an excellent example of what you are missing out on if you forget to take the occasional (and completely free!!) tour of the many Chelsea galleries.