It's no secret that we love a healthy dose of nail art. And apparently, there's a new emphasis on the word "art." Independent curator Rita de Alencar Pinto, who has devoted the past three years to incorporating the practice of high-end manicures into the art world, has now created an atelier for nail art on Chrystie Street. As part of
Vanity Projects, which has hosted pop-up nail painting events at MoMA PS1, the Brooklyn Museum, and NADA since 2010, nail art now has a permanent home.
Like any museum or art gallery, the atelier hosts a series of rotating exhibitions of contemporary video art, which is projected on the salon's walls. Visitors receive a pair of wireless headphones to listen to audio commentary about the works — while getting manicures, obviously. The current exhibit entitled "Girls, Girls, Girls" features pieces by 10 female video artists. The salon also hosts a nail artists in-residence program, which hosts the industry's greatest talents in two-week installments.
As far as the actual nail art goes, the salon specializes in art history-inspired manicures, featuring works by de Chirico, Magritte, Dali, Warhol, and Picasso, among others. Manicures and pedicures at this atelier start at $50, but we're thinking the one-hour art education session you're getting with the service is pretty much priceless. (Blouin Art Info)