Desnivel Gallery is opening its latest exhibition this afternoon at an unconventional venue: H&W Hardware store located at 220 First Avenue at 13th Street. The show, titled "HARDWARE," features new enamel artworks by artist Carmelle Safdie and represents the gallery's ongoing nomadic series that brings art into everyday neighborhood spaces throughout the East Village.

The exhibition opening takes place today, Saturday, September 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., with Safdie's enamel works remaining on display through October 4. This unique presentation follows Desnivel Gallery's previous unconventional exhibition in June, which was staged at Village Gourmet Grocery on Second Avenue and Sixth Street, demonstrating the gallery's commitment to showcasing art in unexpected locations.

Desnivel Gallery was founded by Maria De Victoria, who made the strategic decision to move her operations from the basement of her home to various East Village storefronts. This transition serves a dual purpose: highlighting the significant financial challenges that independent galleries face when trying to maintain traditional art spaces, while simultaneously making contemporary art more accessible to the general public who might not typically visit conventional galleries.

By deliberately placing art installations in everyday locations such as hardware stores and corner markets, De Victoria explains that the gallery aims to seamlessly integrate artistic expression into people's daily lives. This approach intentionally echoes the spirit of the East Village's experimental art scene from the 1980s, when the neighborhood was known for its innovative and boundary-pushing artistic community that challenged traditional notions of where and how art should be presented.