GALLERIES Galleries A.I.R. Gallery 511 W. 25th St. (betw. ...

A.I.R. Gallery 511 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Sts.), 212-255-6651, www.airnyc.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Wish You Were Here Too! Postcards," benefit exhibit feat. 300 cards created & written by artists?addressed to whoever ends up buying it [through 7/19].

Anton Kern Gallery 532 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-367-9663, www.antonkerngallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "Edward Krasinski," site specific installation by Polish conceptual artist feat. mirrors & blue tape [through 8/1].

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. (5th Ave.), 212-360-8163, www.nyc.gov/parks Mon.-Fri. 9-5. Free. "Central to the City: Manhattan Squares," not the NY version of the tv show, but rather an exhibit of photos, postcards & renderings representing our favorite patch of green [through 9/5].

Bowery Gallery 530 W. 25th St. 4th fl. (10th Ave.), 646-230-6655, www.bowerygallery.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Joseph Mann: Recent Figurative Work," oil on canvas works of abstractions of human figures [through 7/24].

Bruce Silverstein Gallery 504 W. 22nd St. (10th Ave.), 212-627-3930, www.brucesilverstein.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Frank Paulin: Out of the Limelight," feat. artist's vintage & non-vintage photos from the last half of the 20th century [through 7/12].

Cheryl Hazan Arts Gallery 35 N. Moore St. (betw. Varick & Hudson Sts.), 212-343-8964, www.CherylHazanArts.com Mon.-Sat. 12-6. Free. "Flora & Fauna Manifestations," as summer draws near, artists turn their attentions to natural things incl. Coney Island's bathers & boom boxes [through 8/15].

The Drawing Center 35 Wooster St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-219-2166, www.drawingcenter.org Tues.-Fri. 10-6; Sat. 11-6. Free. "Róza El-Hassan: Drawings," wall drawing/installation stretched weblike through the space [through 7/26].

55 Mercer Gallery 55 Mercer St. (Broome St.), 212-226-8513. Tues.-Sat. 10-5. Free. "Paper View," Playful art by Keith Gamache uses connect-the-dots technique for his paper on paper on canvas works [through 8/2].

Flux Factory 3838 43rd St. (betw. Northern Blvd. & Skillman Ave.), LIC, 718-707-3362, www.fluxfactory.org Free. "While You Were Playing Rubik's Cube," and you thought video games were bad for you... these artists made the most of their experiences w/Atari & used it to stimulate their creativity

Haim Chanin Fine Arts 210 11th Ave. 2nd fl. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 646-230-7200, www.haimchanin.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "Magic Memories," Ofelia Rodriguez creates mixed-media paintings & works on paper but her signature pieces, abracadabra, are three-dimensional magic boxes [through 7/12].

International Center of Photography 1133 6th Ave. (43rd St.), 212-857-0000, www.icp.org Tues.-Thurs. 10-5; Fri. 10-8; Sat. & Sun. 10-6. $10, $7 st./s.c. "Dreaming in Pictures: The Photography of Lewis Carroll," photos, mainly of enigmatic children, by the acclaimed & beloved author. "Poetic Images: Literary Illustrations from the Richard and Ronay Menschel Library," photos from the 1840s through 1910. "Cuba on the Verge: An Island in Transition," major exhibit on that place we're not allowed to visit [through 8/31].

June Bateman Gallery 560 B'way #306 (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-925-7951, www.junebateman.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Flora & Fauna," b&w photos by Joseph Jurson who zooms in on the plant world, from funghi to lily pads & Nick Brandt who rubs noses w/elephants, giraffes & lions [through 8/30].

Kravets/Wehby Gallery 521 W. 21st St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-352-2238. Tues.-Sat. 11-6. "The Last Sunday in June," Jamel Shabazz's (Back In The Days) photos focusing on the Gay Pride Parade. Expect floats, divas, costumes, drag/drama queens & rainbows [through 8/31].

Lance Fung Gallery 537 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-334-6242, www.lancefunggallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Architectural Therapy," has your building seemed a bit depressed of late? Slightly schizo? Bring it to China Blue's new feng shui installation & it's sure to feel better [through 7/18].

Leica Gallery 670 B'way (Bond St.), 212-777-3051, www.leica-camera.com Tues.-Fri. 11-6; Sat. 12-6. Free. "Last Journey," photos by Inge Morath, world-renowned capturer of images, taken in '01 in Styria & Slovenia, just one year before she passed away [through 8/9].

LFL Gallery 531 W. 26th St., 4th fl. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-989-7700, www.lflgallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Plateau Sigma," Tim Lokiec's risqué oil paintings & some drawings will be on view [through 8/1].

Plane Space 102 Charles St. (betw. Hudson St. & 7th Ave.), 917-606-1268, www.plane-space.com Wed.-Sat. 10-6; Sun. 1-5. "In Summation: Inaugural Season Artists," if you have not been attending every exhibit at this gallery, now is your chance to view the season's "cliffs notes" [through 7/27].

Posteritati Movie Poster 239 Centre St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-226-2207, www.posteritati.com Tues.-Sat. 11-7; Sun. 12-6. Free. "The Freed Unit & The Golden Age of the MGM Musical," show of international movie posters from MGM classics of the 30s-50s [through 7/31].

Robert Mann Gallery 210 11th Ave., 10th fl. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 212-989-7600, www.robertmann.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Ansel Adams 100+1," roaring falls, craggy cliffs & stunning landscapes await you [through 8/22].

The Rocking Horse Gallery 182 8th Ave. (19th St.), 212-381-7098. Mon.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Celestial Happiness," Steven Miller exhibits abstract oil paintings, previously spotted on Sex in the City & Frasier [through 8/8].

SculptureCenter 44-19 Purves St. (Jackson Ave.), L.I.C., 718-361-1750, www.sculpture-center.org Thurs.-Tues. 12-6. Free. "The First Long Island City Blimp Derby," get set for Olav Westphalen's event/installation of remote-controlled blimp races through specifically designed track?on Sats. bring a blimp, team & uniform [through 8/16].

68 Degrees 412 B'way, 3rd fl. (Canal St.), 212-431-6868. Mon.-Fri. 9-6. Free. "Shameless Distortion: Punk Rock/New Wave Icons 1979-1999," photos by B.C. Kagan of prominent rockers [through 7/31].

Socrates Sculpture Park B'way (Vernon Blvd.), LIC, 718-956-1819, www.socratessculpturepark.org Daily 9 a.m.-sunset. "Yard," outdoor exhibit on privatization of landscape & suburban life [through 8/3].

Soho Photo Gallery 15 White St. (betw. 6th Ave. & W. B'way), 212-226-8571, www.sohophoto.com Thurs. 6-8; Fri.-Sun. 1-6. Free. "Winners of the National Competition," works by 18 lucky & talented photographers from around the country [through 8/9].

Spike Gallery 547 W. 20th St. (10th Ave.), 212-627-4100, www.spikegallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Uncrated," group show of Art Crating, Inc. affiliated artists, notably incl. Francesco Clemente, Jasper Johns, Maya Lin, Kiki Smith, Jeff Koons & Damien Hearst [through 7/19].

Studio 12N 19 W. 36th St. #12n (5th & 6th Aves.), 212-947-0898. Mon.-Fri. 9-5. "Cruel but Stylish," where are Cinderella's evil stepsisters when you need them? Charcoal drawings of fashionable yet unwearable heels [through 7/26].

Tibor de Nagy Gallery 724 5th Ave. (betw. 56th & 57th Sts.), 212-262-5050, www.tibordenagy.com Tues.-Sat. 10-5:30. Free. "Selected Works: Jean Hélion," oil on canvas paintings by Hélion, from a private collection, courtesy of the Flow Chart Foundation [through 7/25].

UBS Art Gallery 1285 6th Ave. (betw. 51st & 52nd Sts.), 212-713-2885. Mon.-Fri. 8-6. free. "Studio in a School: Imagine That!," see the works of tomorrow's masters, art by kids ages 3-12 celebrating imagination [through 9/12].

White Columns 320 W. 13th St. (Horatio St.), 212-924-4212, www.whitecolumns.org Weds.-Sun. 12-6. Free. "Phantom Arch," four artists reflect on 'ideas of architecture, memory & unseen forces' [through 8/2].

Museums/Cultural Inst.

American Museum of Natural History Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org Daily 10-5:45. $12, $9 st./s.c., $7 child. "Einstein," comprehensive exhibition on dude synonymous with e=mc2, creating "special theory of relativity" & proving the existence & size of molecules. Displayed in five parts ("Einstein's Revolution," "Life and Times," "Light," "Time," "Energy"), presentation incl. never-before-seen photos, cartoons & documents [through 8/10]. "Vietnam: Journeys of the Body, Mind & Spirit," comprehensive exhibition on Vietnamese life today [through 1/4/04]. "Milstein Hall of Ocean Life," the whale is back! After a few months resting up from a little cosmetic surgery, just a few nips & tucks, big blue is back in action?suspension??in the redone hall of fishy life. "Chocolate," learn the 2000-year history of delicious treat that sedates half the population.

Asia Society 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-517-2742, www.asiasociety.org Tues.-Thurs., Sat. & Sun. 11-6; Fri. 11-9. $7, $5 st./s.c., child. under 16 free. "The World of Buddhism," exhibition exploring important concepts & imagery of Buddhism [through 12/14]. "Landscape of Memory: The Art of Mu Xin," art done in prison is always interesting. What would you paint? [through 9/7]

Brooklyn Museum of Art 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-638-5000, www.brooklynart.org Weds.-Fri. 10-5; Sat. & Sun. 11-6; first Sat. of the month 11-11 contrib. $6, $3 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity," almost 600 objects, incl. treasures, reliefs & statuettes, dating from 4400 BC to 1353 BC. "Pulp Art: Vamps, Villains, and Victors from the Robert Lesser Collection," more than 100 paintings created for fiction magazine covers in the 30s & 40s [through 8/31].

Cooper Hewitt's National Design Museum 2 E. 91st St. (5th Ave), 212-849-8380, www.si.edu/ndm Tues.-Thurs. 10-5; Fri. 10-9; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 12-6. $8, $5 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now," overview of last three years of American architectural & design progress [through 1/25].

Czech Center New York 1109 Madison Ave. (83rd St.), RSVP 212-288-0830, www.czechcenter.com Tues. Weds. Fri. 9-5; Thurs. 9-7. "Sonja Bullaty; Kafka's Prague," see photos of the location of many nefarious doings by our very own editors [through 9/5].

Freakatorium Museum/El Museo Loco 57 Clinton St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-375-0475, www.freakatorium.com Thurs.-Sun. 1-7. $5, $3 child. under 12. "Cabinet of Curiosities," collection of oddities culled by sword swallower Johnny Fox incl. photography from the 1800s, hermaphrodites, freaks, Sammy Davis' glass eye & other strange acquisitions.

The Frick Collection 1 E. 70th St. (betw. Madison & 5th Aves.), 212-288-0700, www.frick.org Tues.-Thurs. & Sat. 10-6; Fri. 10-9; Sun. 1-6. $12, $8 s.c., $5 st. "Whistler, Women and Fashion," 100 years after the death of James McNeill Whistler, exhibit explores paintings, prints, drawings & costumes relating to his interest in fashion [through 7/13]. "Willem Van Tetrode (c.1525-1580) Bronze Sculptures of the Renaissance," mini bronzes of 'muscular males in poised or violent motion' by Dutch sculptor [through 9/7].

Gallery of Arts & Sciences, New York Academy of Sciences 2 E. 63rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-838-0230, www.nyas.org Mon.-Fri. 9-5. free. "Look Up! Contemplating the Skies," please watch out for man-holes & other dangertown obstacles while admiring interpretations of the cosmos by artists incl. Fred Tomaselli & Nancy Macko [through 8/29].

Gallery of the French Institute Alliance Française 22 E. 60th St. (betw. Park & Madison Aves.), 212-355-6100, www.fiaf.org Mon.-Thurs. 10-8; Fri. 10-6; Sat. 9-1:30. Free. "A Celebration of French Polynesia," in memory of Gauguin, FIAF brings you 25 Tahitian artists' sculptures & paintings [through 8/22].

Guggenheim Museum 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-423-3500, www.guggenheim.org Fri. 10-8; Sat.-Weds. 10-5:45. $12 $8 st./s.c. child. under 12 free. "From Picasso to Pollock: Classics of Modern Art," take a historical tour through more than 100 pieces by the masters from Modernism to Abstract Expressionism [through 9/28].

Merchant's House 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette St.), 212-777-1089. Thurs.-Mon. 1-5. $5, $3 st./s.c. "The Changing Silhouette of Fashion?Six Decades of Tredwell Costumes," monthly-rotating long term exhibit highlighting typical 1830-1880 dress continues.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Grace Rainey Rogers Aud. 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-570-3949. Tues.-Thurs. & Sun. 9:30-5:30; Fri. & Sat. 9:30-9. $12, $7 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "Celebrating Saint Petersburg," oodles of Russian & European art from the 1700s through the early 20th century, for the 300th anniversary of the 'Burg [through 1/25].

MOMA QNS 33rd St. (Queens Blvd.), L.I.C., 212-708-9400, www.moma.org Thurs. & Sun. 10-5; Fri. & Sat. 10-9.. $12, $8.50 st./s.c., Fri. after 4 pay-what-you-wish. "Max Beckmann," Mostly paintings but works in many mediums by one of the great painters of the 20th century [through 9/29].

Museum of the City of New York 1220 5th Ave. (103rd St.), 212-534-1672, www.mcny.org Weds.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-5. $7, $4 st./s.c./child., $12 families. "Roaring into the Twenties: The New New York Woman," these fabulous women threw off social restraints by donning short skirts, cutting their hair & doing as they darn well pleased. See their costumes, jewelry & photos [through 9/14].

National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center, 1 Bowling Green (betw. State & Whitehall Sts.), 212-514-3700, www.americanindian.si.edu Fri.-Weds. 10-5; Thurs. 10-8. Free. "The Edge of Enchantment," photographs, multimedia installations & video footage examining the lives of Native communities in Oaxaca, Mexico [through 7/15]. "All Roads Are Good: Native Voices on Life & Culture," displays more than 300 symbolic objects [permanent]. "CONTINUUM: 12 Artists," launch of 18 month series of works by various artists who were inspired by or knew George Morrison & Allan Houser, two major figures of Native American art.

The New-York Historical Society 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400, www.nyhistory.org Tues.-Sun. 11-6. $6, $4 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "Presidential Manuscripts," series of exhibitions highlighting one president at a time [long term]. "Beals, Hervey, and Hewitt: Women Pioneers of Architecture and Design Photography," three pioneering female photographers' photos of NY [through 7/13]. "Milton Rogovin: The Forgotten Ones," hmm, who is missing? Documentary photos & short film of the ghettos of Buffalo [through 9/14].

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center 22-25 Jackson Ave. (46th Ave.), LIC, 718-784-2084, www.ps1.org Thurs.-Mon. 12-6. $5, $2 st./s.c. "Unveiling the Innocents," photos & documentary by Taryn Simon on wrongfully imprisoned individuals [through 8/31].

Queens Museum of Art New York City Bldg., Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, 718-592-9700, www.queensmuse.org Tues.-Fri. 10-5; Sat. & Sun. 12-5. Contrib. $5, $2.50 st./s.c., child. under 5 free. "Salvador Dali: Dream of Venus," for the 1939 World's Fair Mr. Dali created a surreal funhouse pavillion complete w/half-naked ladies swimming about in a pool. Check out the print version of his live extravanganza peepshow. "Proyectos Especiales!", feat. five NY-based Spanish artists' work. Climb inside an enormous milk carton, admire video work & don't forget to check out the educators' t-shirts [through 9/7].

Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art 495 B'way 3rd. fl. (betw. Spring & Broome Sts.), 212-925-2035, www.swissinstitute.net Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Dust Memories," is not another name for' 'acid flashback' or 'opium dream,' it is, in fact, a group show on the 'residue of reality,' got it? [through 8/2].

World Monuments Fund 95 Madison Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 646-424-9594, www.worldmonuments.org "Fragile Jewels of India: Preserving an Extraordinary Architectural Heritage," show consists of photos, textiles, tools, crafts & architectural details focusing on Jaisalmer, the Golden Fort of Rajasthan [through 9/10].

Openings/Receptions

Art@Large 630 9th Ave. #707 (betw. 44th & 45th Sts.), 212-957-8371, www.artatlarge.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Lifeforce," artist Fred Hatt likens drawing to dancing & has been known to engage in both [reception 7/10 from 6-9, through 8/2].

The Dollhaus 37 B'way (betw. Dunham Pl. & Wythe Ave.), Williamsburg, 718-384-6139, www.dollhaus.org Weds.-Sun. call for hours. Free. "Topsy, Electrocution and Heffalumps oh my!," group show in honor of Topsy?a three-ton elephant who used to work at Coney Island [reception 7/12 from 3-6, through 7/16].

Eyebeam Gallery 540 W. 21st St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 718-222-3982, www.eyebeam.org Tues.-Sat. 12-6. Free. "Artbots: The Robot Talent Show," 23 artists have created robots that can paint, sculpt, sing, dance & play instruments, raising the question, is it art if it's made by a robot? And more importantly will R2D2 be one of the judges? [through 7/13].

Harvestworks 596 B'way #602 (betw. Prince & Houston Sts.), 212-431-1130. Sat.-Sun. 12-6. Free. "dream of automatic release," artists Shaun Irons & Lauren Petty pres. three-channel video/sound installation about chores, yard games & the hidden longing for escape [reception 7/11 from 6-8, through 7/27].

Hirschl & Adler Galleries 21 E. 70th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-535-8810, www.hirschlandadler.com Tues.-Fri. 9:30-5:15; Sat. 9:30-4:45. Free. "Realism Revisited: The Florence Academy of Art," group show of works by faculty & former students of the aforementioned Academia di Firenze [reception 7/15 from 6-8, through 10/4].

Klemens Gasser & Tanja Grunert, Inc. 524 W. 19th St. (10th Ave.), 212-807-9494. Mon.-Fri. 10-6. Free. "The Milking-Stool," Milkmaids & erm, milklads come see the latest in milking-stool designs [reception 7/9 from 6-8, through 7/31].

Location One 26 Greene St. (betw. Canal & Grand Sts.), 212-334-3347, www.location1.org Tues.-Sat. 12-6. Free. "Mechanism No.1: War The Doom_Machine," two installations look at fear in the world & the good & evil powers of technology [opens 7/9, through 8/2].

New Museum of Contemporary Art 583 B'way (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-219-1222, www.newmuseum.org Tues.-Sun. 12-6. $6. "Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti," group show honoring & inspired by the activist/musician who died in 1997 [opens 7/11, through 9/28].

Paul Kasmin Gallery 293 10th Ave. (27th St.), 212-563-4474, www.paulkasmingallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "The American Landscape," group show incl. works by Frank Stella & Will Wendt [opens 7/9, through 8/15].

Phoenix Gallery 568 B'way (Prince St.), 212-226-8711, phoenix-gallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-5:30. Free. "Accumulative Efforts," the Asian American Women's Artists Alliance pres. a group show of 27 artists, (we dare you to guess their gender & ethnicity) [reception 7/18 from 6-8, through 7/31].

White Box 525 W. 26th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-714-2347, www.whiteboxny.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Tear Me Up Tear Me Down," six-section series of six artists selected by six galleries to be exhibited in the gallery window for six or more days each for the annual Six Feet Under installation series [opens 7/9, through 8/20].

Wooster Projects Contemporary Art Gallery 421 W. 14th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 646-336-1999. Mon.-Sun. 12-6. Free. "That Summer Feeling...," group show curated by Erika Belle whose title comes from a CD & urges us to embrace that nostalgic feeling that comes w/summer?before its gone, sniff [opens 7/10, through 8/1].