Top five shows: July 4–10, 2013

Francis Upritchard, “War Dance” at Anton Kern Gallery
A cast of attenuated sculptural figures—assuming ambiguous, even somnambulant poses—has taken over Kern’s space, courtesy of Kiwi artist Francis Upritchard. Through Aug 9

Anne-Lise Coste at Eleven Rivington
The French artist deconstructs Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica, in a series of spray-painted canvases depicting various details from the iconic composition. Through Aug 9

Matthias Merkel Hess, “Hereafter” at Salon 94 Freemans
The L.A. artist creates exquisite glazed porcelain renditions of ordinary household items. Through Aug 9

Lucien Samaha, “The Flight Attendant Years: 1978–1986” at Lombard Freid Projects
Samaha, a flight attendant turned photographer, offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrayal of the jet age as a series of family snapshots, capturing himself and his former coworkers as a close-knit tribe of global nomads. Through Aug 2

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, “Fragments” at Gagosian Gallery
The starchitect is feted in this installation of scale models, drawings, photographs and video. Through Aug 2