Tim Paul (Hesquiaht Nuu-chah-nulth), “Summer Seasonal Moon” (ca 2000), cedarwood, cedar bark, paint, feathers, National Museum of the American Indian, New York (photo Benjamin Sutton/Hyperallergic)
Pisces (February 20–March 20)
Did you hear about the egg, Pisces? No, not the egg-shaped, self-sustaining micro-dwelling, the retro-futurist egg-shaped sculpture in Silicon Valley! There’s something profoundly sad about Adriana Varella’s “Digital DNA” falling victim to the public art equivalent of digital obsolescence, but this parable holds a lesson for you: make sure your work — even if it’s bronze sculptures or oil paintings — is properly backed up, or it may all disappear much sooner than you think.
Aries (March 21–April 20)
Imagine, for a moment, that you’re Damien Hirst — except, you know, with a conscience. You’re coming off a blockbuster exhibition of high-end garden gnomes and an accompanying documentary, and you can do pretty much anything you damn well please. We hope to hell you don’t opt for bland pointillist riffs on Bonnard, but whatever it, Aries, don’t hesitate for a moment: opportunities like this don’t come along every month.
Taurus (April 21–May 21)
“Friends don’t let friends drive drunk,” goes the old public service announcement slogan. Friends also shouldn’t let friends drunkenly steal digits off ancient Chinese terracotta warriors — or do so soberly, for that matter. This month, Taurus, your friends will be invaluable sources of guidance, happiness, and maybe even romantic intrigue.
Gemini (May 22–June 21)
We realize this is clichéd, but there’s something powerfully affecting about the solitary, embodied, phenomenological experience of Andy Goldsworthy’s installations and Land Art interventions. You’re a very social creature, Gemini, but this month you’d do well to carve out some alone time. Maybe you should take yourself to see the new Goldsworthy documentary.
Cancer (June 22–July 22)
Did you know that the performance artists and former partners Marina Abramović and Ulay have the same birthday three years apart? (Which explains a lot, right?) But more importantly, Cancer, it speaks to your outlook for March. You may find yourself getting back together with an ex this month, just make sure any outstanding lawsuits are settled before you jump in bed.
Leo (July 23–August 22)
Yoko Ono’s famous “Cut Piece” (1965) is one of the most harrowing and powerful works in the contemporary art canon, but was there something kind of liberating about that performance, Leo? Probably not, but there is an interesting parallel between Ono’s performance and your astrological outlook for the month: you need to do some mental, spiritual, and material pruning.
Virgo (August 23–September 23)
We’ve always been on the fence about Jennifer Rubell’s work, but her current performance, “Consent” (2018), is compellingly simple. For the last half-hour of everyday that Meredith Rosen Gallery is open, Rubell is standing in the gallery next to a pedestal filled with cream pies, which visitors are free to pick up and throw at her. This month, Virgo, you’ll need to get comfortable with leaving yourself similarly vulnerable.
Libra (September 24–October 23)
“Charging Bull” and “Fearless Girl” are mediocre sculptures, but there is something about their juxtaposition on that little traffic island in Lower Manhattan that, if not exactly compelling, certainly says something about the society in which we live. To put that another way: in isolation, the two sculptures would be infinitely less interesting. This month, Libra, pay special attention to the people closest to you — they make you a better person.
Scorpio (October 24–November 22)
Much like the long lost and recently rediscovered Claude Monet painting “Water Lilies: Reflection of Willows,” you look a little worse for wear, Scorpio. While you (presumably) don’t have access to a major museum’s conservation department, we strongly recommend you take time this month to restore yourself, whatever form that may take.
Sagittarius (November 23–December 21)
Don’t get us wrong, we’re glad that there’s finally getting to be more of a market for African art, as evidenced by the recent sale of Ben Enwonwu’s 1974 portrait of the Ife princess Adetutu Ademiluyi for a record $1.6 million. But must we insist on framing such developments in terms of the very same Eurocentric histories from which they’re breaking, say by calling the painting the “African Mona Lisa“? You’re way too hung up on outdated labels, Sagittarius.
Capricorn (December 22–January 20)
Whatever your feelings about Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald’s work, you have to admit that their portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama are a powerful addition to the tradition of political portraiture. They’re also a wonderfully complementary pair of paintings, with the saturated green hues of Wiley’s leafy canvas playing nicely against the more muted palette of Sherald’s painting. Like the couple whose halves they portray, they go very well together. Single Capricorns should be on the lookout for a very alluring potential partner this month; Capricorns in relationships, meanwhile, will take their relationships to the next level.
Aquarius (January 21–February 19)
Few things are as daunting, exhausting, and dissatisfying as art fairs, Aquarius. (Doing your taxes, perhaps?) But there’s a lesson to be found in the scrappiest of these pop-up art malls: they’re a testament to the power of their participants’ collective will and determination. In March you’ll be called upon repeatedly to help your friends — possibly at an Armory Week fair, in fact — so keep in mind that they will also be there for you later this year when you really need them.
