Upon entering the Lehmann Maupin Gallery on Chrystie Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side, you are greeted by applause. On a small video screen inserted into a large white wall, a seated audience faces you and claps. Most audience members are enthusiastic, while some appear distracted or bored.   Nevertheless, you may well feel pleased, gratified, appreciated. It occurred to me that seeing this would be a lovely way to start each day. The video provides an introduction to Alex Prager's La Grande Sortie, an installation consisting of work related to the production of the Los Angeles-based artist's ten-minute film of the same title commissioned by the Paris Opera Ballet.  (It may be recalled in this context that Prager's debut as a … [Read more...]