Jeff B.
Yelp
(Attended 10/21/17 SA @ 1:00pm): "These are the days..."
I was a HUGE The Smiths and Morrissey fan, and found out that These Days featured an exhibit of these two important and influential music acts. After my first visit, would I be interested in counting the days to future exhibits!?:
THE EXHIBIT: "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish: The Smiths & Morrissey Collection 1985 - 1995" (September 7 - October 22, 2017) https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=AnkHeMXJAhhiIMuwZRC6dQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
An exclusive sale ($600-$1800) and exhibition that featured rare UK subway and promotional posters from the archive of an anonymous collector, you were treated to eleven massive prints that covered select album and single releases, as well as promotional magazines, press clippings, record sleeves and the like https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=CV9nNBnZIjqS333Wl-sxSg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, and a whimsical collection of Morrissey bobbleheads https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=efGfhw0pRwdDnydM98wItQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. The exhibit took minutes to get through and was self-guided. Posters listed below in viewing order:
The Smiths "The Queen Is Dead": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=018rq8KH4YtspjoY9Jfbtw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "The Smiths": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=yYyOWgWAla_1pVyodG1DEg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Girlfriend In A Coma": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4XZjrplsGCVxCDEI5AUn3Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=NyaeUAsAjqja8NAM_Ckl9Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Strangeways, Here We Come": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=zjrw10zI2IIy-VzcHuJtCw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Bigmouth Strikes Again": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=1y42rE62aoKHP4ObeiCdrw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Meat Is Murder": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=8gnBaYCVotHh58Ea7EeHbA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Shoplifters Of The World Unite": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HSnvd8CfZiSrzDqKi5GhsQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "The Boys With The Thorn In His Side": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WaH4kilSxW2hCYzNuC-ltg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Smiths "Sheila Take A Bow": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=tbRtBI39OnWTNdzNZJgngQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Morrissey "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful": https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=x_4-S3tSAIEDUspAF2Yg1Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE - Steven (no...his middle name wasn't "Patrick") was the lone person who answered questions or helped with gift shop purchases - easy peasy!
PARKING (Varied; FREE this instance) - I went Metro (Pershing Square Station) then walked the rest of the way. Otherwise, there were plenty of metered parking on all surrounding streets (read all posted signs carefully) and private lots that charged various rates.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE - [DISCLAIMER: This would change from one exhibit to the next] A non-descript building except for the front entrance https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=T6QjJtEQQ8WOEUz7gEWtIA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. You climbed two steep flights of wooden stairs to the 2nd Floor where you were greeted by a Morrissey cardboard cutout lily-filled vases, and a "Viva Hate" framed poster https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=bMeoWwu0a8UJJ_EgIq2Cig&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. The layout was separated into a medium exhibit room and a small gift shop https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mpzbURyGZWLI0apkIEs_WQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the many glass windows while minimal electric track lighting covered the rest. There were no TVs although Morrissey's "Bona Drag" CD fittingly played in the background.
ATTIRE - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL, These Days was definitely a small hidden gallery gem among all the various street murals and toy warehouses. The space was minimal at best, but as long as a given exhibit was curated properly that shouldn't matter. I thought it was cool how disguised this place was, and my return depended upon future exhibits and/or if admission were free. But I'm a lover of the arts so it had my attention; and, as with art my opinion was purely subjective. And...it was a great photo op with one of my favorite covers https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=KCazfYzZChmqjeCXGF-G-Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS
