AAKASH NIHALANI

I originally became interested in the work of Aakash Nihalani in 2010, when a friend introduced me to his tape pieces. Nihalani uses neon gaffing tape to create, miraculously, statements on the way art and the city interact spatially.

The exhibition, Portal, currently on view at the Jonathan Levine Gallery, was my first encounter with Nihalani's paintings.  I missed the grit of the street works, which are powerful simply because of the way they confront the viewer, who could just be a passerby on the street.

However, the bold, bright works are visually arresting, and reminiscent of Minimalist works by artists such as Frank Stella.

Embroidered Paillette Dress: Christopher Kane for Topshop

Blazer: Maison Martin Margiela Re-Issue

Tights: H&M

Reptile Ankle Boots: Jean-Michel Cazabat

Snakeskin Minaudière: Lauren Merkin

Lapel "pin": neon tape

The exhibition Portal closes this weekend.

iPhone photos of me by La Mer; other photos by me.