
The Gowanus Canal seen from the 3rd Street Bridge (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic)
This weekend was a great time to people-watch and see some unusual phenomena playing out on the banks of the Gowanus Canal. From the frothy, chemical-laden water being pumped into the canal from the Department of Environmental Protection facility at its north tip Sunday afternoon, to the supernatural samplings for sale at the Morbid Anatomy Halloween Flea Market, there was plenty of unconventional activity going on along the beloved industrial waterway. And then of course there were the crowds, the art-lovers out in droves, biking and trekking along typically deserted industrial blocks for Gowanus Open Studios 2016. This prevalence of people and atypical flora and fauna was echoed in much of the work I saw in the dozens of studios I visited all over the neighborhood.

A new work by Elissa Levy in her studio at 313 Butler Street

Excerpts of Elissa Levy‘s ‘Wallpaper of Shame’ series featuring Chris Christie

Works by artist Daniel Phillips in his outdoor studio space at President and Bond streets

A sculpture by artist Daniel Phillips in his outdoor studio space at President and Bond streets

Micaela Kramer‘s “She Gravels, She Bewilders” (2016) in her studio at 540 President Street

Soo Yun, “Thirty Bunnies,” in her studio at 540 President Street

Works by Soo Yun in her studio at 540 President Street

A photo from Moira Pernambuco-Holsten‘s series ‘The Invisibles’ in her studio at 540 President Street

Rachel Selekman, “Burst 4 (Taking Stock 2)” (2016) in her studio at 540 President Street

Sculptures by Crys Yin in her studio at 540 President Street

Works by Ai Campbell in her studio at 540 President Street

Works from Alexandra Rubinstein‘s ongoing series ‘Thirsty’ in her studio at 540 President Street

Works by Taylor McMahon, woven from friendship bracelet thread, in her studio at 540 President Street

A works by Taylor McMahon in her studio at 540 President Street

Dolls handcrafted by Valerie A. Gladstone in her studio at 540 President Street

Dolls handcrafted by Valerie A. Gladstone in her studio at 540 President Street

A painting by Tony Geiger in his studio at 61 9th Street

Ink on paper plate drawings by Tony Geiger in his studio at 61 9th Street

Paintings and a sculpture by Melissa Dadourian in her studio at 98 4th Street

Works by Wayne Adams in his studio at 131 8th Street

A new mixed media work by Patrick J. Campbell in his studio at 131 8th Street

A new mixed media work by Patrick J. Campbell in his studio at 131 8th Street
Gowanus Open Studios 2016, of which Hyperallergic is a media sponsor, took place October 15 and 16.