Post-War art at The Whitney
“Legacy” at The Whitney presents selections from longtime Whitney trustee Emily Fisher Landau’s recent promised gift of more than four hundred works of art. The exhibition reflects Landau’s personal taste for collecting daring work. The artists included reads like a veritable greatest hits of post-war art. Jasper Johns, Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, and Barbara Kruger are but a few of the artists included in this survey that celebrates an enduring commitment to post-modern art. Also, don’t miss a thoughtful look at the museum’s permanent collection, “Singular Visions,” an exhibit that invites art-lovers to slow down and take in just one piece at a time.

Cloisonné at the Bard Graduate Center
Exquisite objects are the focus at the Bard Graduate Center in a study of the art of Cloisonné. Cloisonné is an enamel technique introduced to China from Byzantium. The pieces on display span three dynasties and have been culled from some of the most important public collections in the U.S., and the prestigious “Les Arts-Decoratifs-Musee” in Paris. Determining the precise dynasty of origin can be a challenge. New attribution methods have updated the study of Cloisonné, inviting discovery to how, why and for whom these enamels were produced. The works range in purpose – whether ritual, decorative or utilitarian, and motifs include Buddhist symbols like lotus flowers and decorative illustrations from nature.

New Directors/New Films
The latest in film is currently heating up the city in the 40th annual New Directors/New Films festival. The longstanding collaboration between the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art is a great chance to see the work of some newly discovered filmmakers from the U.S. and around the world. Standouts include British actor Paddy Considine’s writing and directorial feature debut “Tyrannosaur.” From Egypt: “Microphone” and the harrowing “6, 7, 8.,” the darkly comic “Some Days Are Better than Others.” From Peru, “Octubre.” A shorts program rounds out the festival. New Directors/New Films runs through April 3rd.

Good People
Working-class Boston is a popular backdrop these days in film. On Broadway, the fiber of its character is woven into the world premiere of “Good People.” In what are sure to be some of the most acclaimed performances of the season, “Good People” stars Frances McDormand as Margie. After she loses her job, Margie looks to her past for help: her old flame, Mike, played by Tate Donovan. The supporting cast brings stand-out performances from Renee Elise Goldsberry, Estelle Parsons, Becky Ann Baker and Patrick Carroll. Tensions erupt, as issues of class and loyalty are questioned. Margie and Mike show audiences the consequences of life’s choices.

Richard Move channels Martha Graham
In dance, it’s Martha Graham as you’ve never seen her before. Critically acclaimed performer Richard Move channels the legend at Dance Theater Workshop. The newest in the celebrated series called “Martha @…” this performance will recreate an interview with the dance diva. Move has delved into the 92nd Street Y audio archives, and has based this piece on a famous 1963 interview between Graham and critic Walter Terry, played by Lisa Kron. The work also features Graham Company principal Katherine Crockett and company member Catherine Cabeen.

Milton Avery and the End of Modernism
On Long Island in Roslyn Harbor take a closer look at the work of figurative painter Milton Avery. Avery’s style is marked by concentrated fields of color and simple forms and figures. Alongside his mid-century contemporaries, Avery stands out for his recognizable subject matter infused with the spontaneity of a sketch. The exhibition “Milton Avery and the End of Modernism” is organized by the Nassau County Museum of Art’s new director and Avery scholar Dr. Karl E. Willers along with the Neuberger Museum at SUNY Purchase.