Top five shows: Nov 22–28, 2012

The best of the week in art.

By Howard Halle Tue Nov 20 2012

Photograph: Courtesy Venus Over Manhattan

“Where Is Jack Goldstein?” at Venus Over Manhattan
On view are highlights from the career of this Canadian-born artist, who arrived in New York via Los Angeles and became one of the seminal figures of the Pictures generation. Especially noteworthy are his photo-based paintings of meteorological events. Through Jan 15
Photograph: Courtesy David Zwirner

Diana Thater, Chernobyl at David Zwirner
The pastoral and apocalyptic mix in this Los Angeles artist’s latest work: a kaleidoscopic multichannel video shot in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Through Dec 22
Photograph: Courtesy Pavel Zoubok Gallery

Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt at MoMA PS1
The work of this pioneer of queer aesthetics is notable for its byzantine opulence. Through Apr 1
Photograph: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

“African Art, New York, and the Avant-Garde” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This show examines the fascination for all things African held by members of America’s early-20th-century avant-garde, who collected the continent’s artworks and were inspired by them. Tue 27–Apr 14
Photograph: Courtesy Maccarone

Edgar Arceneaux at Maccarone
The centerpiece of the show, which also includes paintings and drawings, is a film installation featuring the artist’s mother in his studio, titled I Told Jesus, Change My Name. Through Dec 15

Photograph: Courtesy Venus Over Manhattan

“Where Is Jack Goldstein?” at Venus Over Manhattan
On view are highlights from the career of this Canadian-born artist, who arrived in New York via Los Angeles and became one of the seminal figures of the Pictures generation. Especially noteworthy are his photo-based paintings of meteorological events. Through Jan 15