OPENINGS/RECEPTIONS Openings/Receptions Bonni Benrubi Gallery 52 E. 76th St. ...

Bonni Benrubi Gallery 52 E. 76th St. (betw. Park & Madison Aves.), 212-517-3766, www.bonnibenrubi.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Timeless Places," take us away to places w/out time? has anyone bothered asking themselves how it came to be 2004? Perhaps Richard Ehrlich & David Fokos have the answer [reception 1/8 from 6-8, through 2/21].

Cheim & Read 547 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-242-7727, www.artnet.com/cheim-read.html Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "William Eggelston: Precolor," early photos in b&w by an artist usually noted for his color work [reception 1/8 from 6-8, through 2/7].

Gagosian Gallery 980 Madison Ave. (76th & 77th Sts.), 212-744-2313, www.gagosian.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Just Hit The Mark: Works From the Speck Collection," also called Jeder Griff Muss Sitzen this second installment of work by Joseph Beuys will include a diverse group of scultptural pieces [reception 1/9 from 6-8, through 2/14].

Guild & Greyshkul 22 Wooster St. (betw. Grand & Canal Sts.), 212-625-9224, www.guildgreyshkul.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "MUTE!," listen up, this exhibition about sound & image feat. Pierre Bismuth, Ceal Floyer, Douglas Gordon, Jonathan Monk & Fernando Ortega & curated by Lisa Rosendahl incl. a live performance piece feat. DJ Tommie Sunshine on opening night [reception 1/7 from 7-9, through 2/21].

Lehmann Maupin Gallery 540 W. 26th St. (10th & 11th Aves.), 212-255-2923, www.lehmannmaupin.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Jennifer Steinkamp: Dervish," new media & CA (that's Computer Animation, fool) created art that explores concepts of space, architecture & motion. In conjunction w/"Sadegh Tirafkan"'s photographs of ruined buildings & branded bodies [reception 1/10 from 6-8, through 2/14].

Littlejohn Contemporary 41 E. 57th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-980-2323, www.littlejohncontemporary.com Tues.-Sat. 10-5:30, Free "David Kroll," recent paintings by a 'master artificer' who copies lush landscapes & still life objects to canvas [reception 1/8 from 5-7, through 1/31].

Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-535-7710, www.metmuseum.org Tues.-Thurs. Sun. 9:30-5:30; Fri. & Sat. 9:30-9, $12 $7 st./s.c. child. under 12 free w/adult "Chuck Close Prints: Process & Collaboration," retrospective of more than 100 pieces incl. Chuck's first ever print, intaglios, woodcuts, silk screens, lithos & editioned pulp paper pieces (say that three times fast) [opens 1/13, through 4/18].

Paul Kasmin Gallery 293 10th Ave. (27th St.), 212-563-4474, www.paulkasmingallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Unhinged," new box paintings by Joe Zucker in a simple yet multi-textured style [opens 1/8, through 2/7].

Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Gallery 31 Mercer St. (Grand St.), 212-226-3232, www.feldmangallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Graeco-Roman Colossi 1959-1964 + Erotica, etc., 2000-2003," exhibit of two series with similar sexy themes, the first shows 'hunks of physicality' while the second 'interludes of the erotic' [reception 1/10 from 6-8, through 2/7].

Galleries

A Ramona Studio_ 65 W. 37th St. 4th fl. (6th Ave.), 212-398-1904, www.aramonastudio.com Sat. 12-6, Free "Moby Dick or EEEE EEEE (Volume One)," dry point drawings & etchings attempt to translate Melville's novel into a text consisting only of the letter E [through 2/14].

A Taste of Art 147 Duane St. (W. B'way), 212-964-5493, www.atasteofart.com Mon.-Fri. 12-8; Sat. 12-6, Free "Orphists o'er Cockaigne," take a crazy trip to a medieval fantasy land where 'food falls from the sky, and where no one has to work for his dinner' brought to you by Doug Fitch & Mimi Oka [through 2/21]. "Night Moods" artist Ellen Bradshaw depicts NYC evenings [through 1/19].

A.I.R. Gallery 511 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Sts.), 212-255-6651, www.airnyc.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Michi Itami: A Print Retrospective," survey of the artist's abstract prints in muted colors [through 1/17].

Aca Galleries 529 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-206-8080, www.acagalleries.com Tues.-Sat. 10:30-6:30, Free "Paul Marcus: An American's Perspective," paintings by painter responding to "moral and philosophical issues." Also, "William Gropper's" Small Paintings and Works on Paper, showing biting cartoons from the Jazz & Depression eras [through 1/24].

Anton Kern Gallery 532 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-367-9663, www.antonkerngallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Marcel Odenbach: Paper on Paper," layered paper in black & white to create multifaceted collages to raise awareness [through 1/31].

Apexart 291 Church St. (White St.), 212-431-5270, www.apexart.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Looking Awry," organized by What, How & for Whom a Zagreb based arts collective this exhibit takes a twisted perspective on things [through 2/7].

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. (5th Ave.), 212-360-8163, www.nyc.gov/parks Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Free "Diane Dwyer: Hollow Bones," paintings cataloging birds from the Tufted Titmouse to the Blue-Winged Warbler in a portrait-like style [through 1/29].

Art@Large 630 9th Ave. #707 (betw. 44th & 45th Sts.), 212-957-8371, www.artatlarge.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "David Hochbaum: Below Us is the Sky," above us is the earth. This guy is a bit topsy-turvy, see his painting collage constructions of photos, wood, metal & paper [through 1/24].

Axis Gallery 453 W. 17th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-741-2582. Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Ndebele," beadwork by the Ndebele people of South Africa was worn in ceremony, applied to fertility dolls, sceptres & dance wands [through 2/28].

Blue Mountain Gallery 530 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 646-486-4730. Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "No Evil," there will be no evil at this show, only good, so says Linda Smith the artist whose paintings you will be viewing in all harmony & peace [through 1/10].

Bronx River Art Center 1087 E. Tremont Ave. (Devoe Ave.), Bronx, 718-589-5819. Mon.-Fri. 3-6:30; Sat. 12-5. "Terrarium," group show using "landscape & nature as the vehicle of their visual language" [through 1/31].

CFM Gallery 112 Greene St. (Prince St.), 212-966-3864, www.cfmgallery.com Mon.-Sat. 11-6 Sun. 12-6, Free "L'Apocalypse de Saint Jean," group show of all kinds of crazy artists w/ crazy names incl. Dali, Fini, Buffet, Foujita & more [through 1/12].

Chasama 135 W. 42nd St. (Bway & 6th Ave.). "Noah Peepkin: A Small Adventure," artist Jeremy Bullis pres. a window installation of cartoony two inch chickens made out of yellow clay [through 1/18].

Cheim & Read 547 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-242-7727, www.artnet.com/cheim-read.html Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Jack Pierson: New Work," wall drawings on the themes sex, drug & 'the vicissitudes of longing in general'?we're not sure what that means, you figure it out [through 2/14].

Claire Oliver Fine Art 529 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-929-5949, www.cofa.info Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Harri Larjosto: Wicked Suites," in conjunction w/the Finnish Museum of Photography, the gallery pres. a survey of 15 years worth of photos & videos [through 2/1].

ClampArt 531 W. 25th St. (10th Ave.), 646-230-0020, www.clampart.com Tues.-Fri. 11-6, Free "The Atrocity Exhibition: Photographs by Jojo Whilden & John Gilliland," photos building on the theme of near accidents, from skid marks to scrapes on freeway divides [through 2/14].

D'Amelio Terras 525 W. 22nd St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-352-9460. Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Glenn Ligon- Going There," new works by the artist, a two-screen projection, sculptures & a soundtrack of the artist & his therapist?eavesdrop on the inner workings of an artist [through 2/17].

David Findlay Jr. Fine Art Fuller Bldg. 41 E. 57th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-486-7660, www.findlayart.com Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30. "Twelve," Catherine Redmond pres. twelve "complex works" revealing a world which "makes its own rules & follows them down unexpected paths" [through 1/21].

David Zwirner Gallery 43 Greene St. (betw. Grand & Broome Sts.), 212-966-9074, www.davidzwirner.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Marcel Dzama," shows works on paper depicting singing cats, blow jobs, hangings & bestiality, but don't worry its all very cute [through 2/15].

DCA Gallery 525 W. 22nd St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-255-5511, www.dcagallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Eye Fall," let your eyes tumble on Danish artist Michael Kvium's creepy oil on canvas works [through 2/28].

Dia:Chelsea 548 W. 22nd St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-840-7470, www.diacenter.org Wed.-Sun. 12-6, $6, $3 st./s.c., child. under 12 free "Prototype," Jorge Pardo shows an environment adaptable plywood structure. Also showing Rosemarie Trockel's Spleen & Robert Whitman's Playback [through 2/29].

Doctors Without Borders 333 7th Ave. 2nd fl. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-679-6800, www.doctorswithoutborders.org Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 3-6pm, free "AIDS Treatment: The South African Struggle," a special World AIDS Day exhibit contrasting the lives of people living w/AIDS in S. Africa & the political struggle of activists throughout the country [through 2/3].

The Dollhaus 37 B'way (betw. Dunham Pl. & Wythe Ave.), Williamsburg, 718-384-6139, www.dollhaus.org Weds.-Sun. call for hours, Free "Big Top Bizarro," a circus event/art installation by Mary Doyle [through 2/14].

Eyebeam Gallery 540 W. 21st St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 718-222-3982, www.eyebeam.org Tues.-Sat. 12-6, Free "Beta Launch: Artists in Residence '03," big group show, lotsa cool stuff [through 1/31].

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 "Looking Back to Beauty: A Selection of European Masterworks, 1800-1900," focusing on the classical ideals of beauty, harmony & humanism this show feat. 50 paintings by Europeans & Impressionists [through 2/11].

Howard Greenberg Gallery Fuller Building, 41 E. 57th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-334-0010, www.howardgreenberg.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. "Made For America, Part 2," Exhibition of vintage photos from the Time-LIFE photo archives [through 1/14].

Howard Scott Gallery 529 W. 20th St. 7th fl. (betw. 10th &11th Aves.), 646-486-7004. Tues.-Sat. 10:30-6, Free "Francisco Castro Le-ero: Displacements," geometric compositions by Mexico City based artist [through 2/23].

KIN at Local Project 21-36 44 Rd. (23rd St.), LIC, 718-433-2779. Call for times. "KIN," 20 color photographs from 10 artists on the theme "family" we especially recommend Marni Horowitz's (photos & family) [through 2/5].

LFL Gallery 531 W. 26th St., 4th fl. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-989-7700, www.lflgallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. "Material Eyes," Enlightening art by David Altmejd, Dana Schutz & Kirsten Stoltmann [through 1/17].

Littlejohn Contemporary 41 E. 57th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-980-2323, www.littlejohncontemporary.com Tues.-Sat. 10-5:30, Free "Eric Blum," this artists uses layers of pigment & wax to suspend images on his canvas in a way that suggests 'celestial skies.' Also opening is "Jeremy Kidd" a show of architecturally based digital works? which is kind of a mouthful but should prove to be interesting & surreal paintings [through 1/31].

Mike Weiss Gallery 520 W 24th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-691-6899, www.mikeweissgallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Free "The Watcher Paintings," Israeli artist Yigal Ozeri shows works w/windows & other architectural elements feat. wise-eyed people for you to ogle [through 1/10].

Momenta Art Gallery 72 Berry St. (N. 10th St.), Williamsburg, 718-218-8058, www.momentaart.org Fri.-Mon. 12-6, Free "the eteam, Barry Hilton," the eteam, a collaboration of artists pres. an old saloon combined w/ video footage, this concoction is called Train Stop Inn [through 1/19].

The Prince Street Gallery 530 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 646-230-0246, www.princestreetgallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Nandu Vadakkath: Paintings," large colorful oil-on-canvas pieces in a impressionistic style [through 2/7].

Puffin Room 435 Broome St. (betw. B'way & Crosby St.), 212-343-2881, www.puffinroom.org Weds.-Sun. 1-7, Free "Dance On Camera Festival," 2004 Winter Dance Project pres. photographs by dancers Mike Van Sleen, Meital Hershkovitz, Julie Lemberger & Lina Jang [through 2/8].

Robert Mann Gallery 210 11th Ave., 10th fl. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 212-989-7600, www.robertmann.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Free "Joe Deal: The Fault Zone & Other Work 1976-1986," vintage silver prints of American landscapes in b&w [through 1/31].

SculptureCenter 44-19 Purves St. (Jackson Ave.), L.I.C., 718-361-1750, www.sculpture-center.org Thurs.-Tues. 12-6, Free "In Practice Projects," works commissioned through the In Practice program created to support works by innovative emerging artists [through 4/11].

Socrates Sculpture Park B'way (Vernon Blvd.), LIC, 718-956-1819, www.socratessculpturepark.org. "Winter Light," illuminating light-based works to guide your way through the winter's darkness, these projects will be viewable from across the water & outside the park only [through 2/29].

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 "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. "Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites," Chicken-Little, Chicken-Little, the sky is falling?so bring a helmet to the re-opening of the hall dedicated to rocks that rain down from the sky. "Petra: Lost City of Stone" once upon a time, the Nabateans created a city called Petra, then they lost it, then we found it [through 7/4].

American Museum of the Moving Image 35 Ave. (36 St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077, www.movingimage.us Tues.-Fri 12-5; Sat. & Sun. 11-6, $10, $7.50 st./s.c., $5 child 5-18, child 5 & under free "Tim Burton Drawings," sketchy sketches by the creator of many fanciful movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, & Pee-Wee's Big Adventure..

The Asian American Arts Centre 26 Bowery St., 3rd fl. (betw. Bayard & Canal Sts.), 212-233-2154. Mon.-Weds. Fri. 12:30-6:30; Thurs. 12:30-7:30, Free, don. requested "dream so much 2," group show on street culture & expression & its effect on Japanese youth. Artists include Dalek of space monkey character fame [through 2/20].

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. "The Jewish Journey: Frédéric Brenner's Photographic Odyssey" more than 140 photos by world traveler & anthropologist? Monsieur Brenner has documented Jews on five (out of seven) continents [through 1/11].

Cooper Hewitt's National Design Museum 2 E. 91st St. (5th Ave.), 212-849-8380, ndm.si.edu 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].

French Institute 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Lexington & Madison Aves.), 212-355-6160. call for times. "Monet's Garden at Giverny in Black and White," b&w photos by William Messer, this show marks the 100th anniversary of Monet's decision to spend the rest of his days painting one thing?his garden [through 1/8].

Humanities and Social Sciences Library, New York Public Library 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-930-0803, www.nypl.org Tues.-Weds. 11-7:30; Thurs.-Sat. 10-6, Free "Russia Engages the World," explore the realm of the Muscovy in an exhibit that incl. books, manuscripts, prints, fine art items & artifacts [through 1/31].

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, 2 for 1 Thurs. in Nov, $10 $7 st./s.c "Only Skin Deep: Changing Visions of the American Self," group show curated by Coco Fusco & Bran Wallis incl. works by Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Cindy Sherman & more [through 3/28].

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 "Tall Buildings," an international cross section of 20 structures that have 'redefined' the skyscraper [through 3/22]. "Kiki Smith: Prints, Books, and Things" a survey of this print masters achievements from lithographs & etchings to books [through 3/8]..

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 "All Roads Are Good: Native Voices on Life & Culture," displays more than 300 symbolic objects [permanent]. .

New Museum of Contemporary Art 583 B'way (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-219-1222, www.newmuseum.org Tues.-Sun. 12-6; Thurs. 12-8. $3 Thurs. 6-8, $6, $3 st./s.c., child. under 18 free "Trisha Brown: Dance and Art in Dialogue, 1961-2001," if you think Britney & Wade have got the moves come check out Trisha Brown & her talents as a dancer/choreographer [through 1/24]..

The New-York Historical Society 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400, www.nyhistory.org Tues.-Sun. 11-6., $8, $5 st./s.c., child. under 12 free "Children at Risk: Protecting New York City's Youths 1653-2003," save the children! Exhibit documenting the last 350 years of efforts to help NY's kids, you'd think we'd be alright by now... [through 4/4].

Studio Museum in Harlem 144 W. 125th St. (betw. Lenox Ave. & Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.), 212-864-4500, www.studiomuseum.org Weds.-Fri. & Sun. 12-6; Sat. 10-6, $5, $3 st./s.c., $1 child under 12 "Harlem Postcards," gain new perspectives on local landmarks. Series feat. artists incl. Alice Attie, Adler Guerrier & Kira Lynn Harris [permanent].

World Monuments Fund 95 Madison Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.), 646-424-9594, www.worldmonuments.org Mon.-Fri. 10-5, Free "A Temple Reborn: Conserving Preah Khan, Angkor, Cambodia," photos & interactive computer panoramas of the historic city of Angkor [through 1/7].