Lee Bul at Hauser & Wirth event image
Hauser & Wirth, 542 West 22nd Street, Chelsea, Chelsea, Manhattan

Lee Bul at Hauser & Wirth

Korean artist Lee Bul turns colour into a directional tool across Hauser & Wirth's 22nd Street galleries - free and closing soon.

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Lee Bul has spent thirty years building cyborg bodies, mirrored labyrinths and collapsing utopian architecture, and this Chelsea show narrows the lens to colour itself - how it pulls the eye, distorts depth and manufactures presence. Hauser & Wirth's 22nd Street galleries are big enough to let the work breathe, and it costs nothing to walk in. The run ends in a week and the gallery is closed Sundays, so this weekend is effectively down to one day.

What to expect

Large, high-ceilinged Chelsea gallery rooms with the work installed sparely, so you circle each piece rather than moving down a line. Attendants are present but the space is quiet and unhurried. The surrounding blocks of West 22nd and 24th hold a dozen more free galleries if you want to build a route.

Good to know

  • The C and E to 23rd Street leave a short walk west to the gallery blocks
  • Chelsea galleries keep reduced weekend hours in summer - confirm before you travel
  • Admission is free and no booking is required
  • Build a loop - West 20th through 26th Streets hold a dense cluster of free galleries
  • The High Line entrance at 23rd Street is a block away
  • Ask at the desk for a checklist; wall labels in commercial galleries are minimal

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Common questions

Is it free?

Yes. Commercial galleries in Chelsea, including Hauser & Wirth, are free to enter with no booking.

Is it open on weekends?

The 22nd Street gallery operates Tuesday through Saturday, so Saturday works and Sunday does not.

Who is Lee Bul?

A leading Korean artist known for cyborg sculptures, mirrored installations and work on utopian architecture.