New York, NY, October 19, 2024 – Jonathan LeVine Projects and Dorothy Circus Gallery proudly present Scratching the Surface, a group show co-curated by Alexandra Mazzanti and Jonathan LeVine. The show will be on view at Ki Smith Gallery, in New York City’s Lower East Side, from October 19, 2024 until November 24, 2024.

What began as a friendly conversation between two gallerists—each with distinct backgrounds, but united by a shared passion—has blossomed into a unique and exciting collaboration. Both Alexandra and Jonathan have dedicated their careers to discovering and promoting the most fascinating and innovative contemporary art, and they are renowned for constantly seeking out the unconventional and groundbreaking. Alexandra and Jonathan have collaborated on numerous projects in the past, including the Stories from Wonderland series in 2007 and the museum exhibition and catalog Pop Surrealism: What a Wonderfool World in 2010.

This group exhibition will present a stimulating selection of new discoveries and artists represented by both Dorothy Circus Gallery and Jonathan LeVine Projects. Among the standout artists for this inaugural event, which aims to become a recurring fixture, are names dear to both gallerists. Notably, South Florida-based artist Francesco Lo Castro, known for his vibrant, kaleidoscopic paintings and sculptures brimming with movement, returns with an entirely new artistic approach.

Jonathan Viner, master of cinematic painting, draws inspiration from art history with echoes of Vilhelm Hammershøi and Carl Holsøe, while also reflecting 1980s American culture and its icons, along with contemporary interiors and futuristic visions. Kumkum Fernando, a star in the Jonathan Levine Projects lineup, brings a cosmic flair to the exhibition with his mixed-media creations that fuse sculpture and futuristic design. Italian street artist Millo, who recently completed one of his signature large-scale murals in Manhattan, inspired by the topic of urban ecosystem restoration and the importance of green spaces, adds his unmistakable poetic touch to the show with a message of sustainability and love blooming from his painting, Your Story.

The works of Matthew Grabelsky, Yokoteen, Valdo Manullang, and Clémentine Bal will travel to New York for this occasion, where they can be appreciated in all their glory by local collectors. Joining us for the first time are artists such as Tubagus Salamudin Alamin, Ray Arcadio, Geoffrey Bouillot, Doras, Kanako Ozawa, Vanessa Powers, and Yusuke Toda.

In a market often driven by fleeting trends, Scratching the Surface instead dives into the contemporary landscape in search of what might “leave a mark” now and for years to come, presenting a collection of works that will undoubtedly resonate with discerning collectors and art lovers alike.

We invite you to join us on October 19, from 6:00 until 9:00 PM EDT, for the opening reception at Ki Smith Gallery, 170 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002, USA. Both Jonathan, Alexandra, and many of the artists will be present.

Jonathan Levine Projects is committed to new and cutting-edge art. Its roots date back to 1995 when LeVine’s life-long participation in punk and underground music grew into a curatorial experiment with the visual culture that surrounded him. In 2005, he opened Jonathan LeVine Gallery in the Chelsea district of New York City and had great success nurturing the careers of many celebrated artists. In 2017, the gallery relocated to Jersey City with a newfound focus on community and collaboration. The renamed Jonathan LeVine Projects aims to create engaging programs and interesting partnerships beyond the traditional gallery space. With an eye towards honoring and connecting with the history and context of Post War art, Jonathan LeVine Projects explores the terrain of the high, the low and everything in between. In 2019, Jonathan LeVine Projects transitioned from a brick-and-mortar gallery to a virtual exhibition platform, spearheading a digital marketplace for fine art.