PACE, New York

High art fans rejoice; New York’s PACE is currently showing never-before-seen oil portraits by photorealist Chuck Close. If we must name drop, Philip Glass and Cindy Sherman are amongst the celebrity faces on display. The fruits of Close’s more recent ventures into digital technology and watercolour prints will also be part of the exhibit. Study the individual squares, as each one is a painting within itself, then step back and take a look at the portraits in their entirety.

After partaking in the surrealist fare, move onto the very real — and very naked — second exhibit on display: Nudes by Lee Friedlander. These photographs quite literally bare all, and in their reveal, capture the spirit of the modern world. Be sure to make room in your date book in between holiday shopping, both exhibits end on December 22.

Jonathan LeVine Gallery, New York

This holiday season, the Jonathan LeVine Gallery gifts its patrons with modern wonder in the form of Powder of Light by DALeast (DAL), Joe Sorren‘s Everything’s Alright Sweetie, Please Get Some Sleep and Batalla by VINZ — all under one roof from December 1st to the 29th.

Utilizing his background in sculpture, DAL creates works with the look of wire, but which are in fact done in 2D mediums. DAL and fellow LeVine exhibitor, VINZ, have one thing in common, and that is moving from canvas to the street. Where VINZ’s street art encompasses black and white human bodies with colorful animal heads adorning them, Joe Sorren’s oil paintings showcase an equally odd dreamlike world, showing innocent looking characters in loaded environments.

With such characters side-by-side for a month, one stop to the  Jonathan LeVine Gallery will finish off your year with a high-impact punch of modern culture.

White Cube – Mason’s Yard + Bermondsey, London

If you have never heard of Antoney Gormley, chances are, you will still recognize his abstract metal human sculptures or geometric interconnected metal structures. Gormley explores the human body through architecture for his new exhibit Model at White Cube Bermondsey, on now till February 10, 2013. Given the magnitude of Gormley’s artist vision, this one promises to be a sight worth seeing.

Over at the gallery’s Mason’s Yard, Josiah McElheny’s Interaction of the Abstract Body also promises to leave its audience awestruck. Fans of  McElheny, know him for his breathtaking glass blown sculptures, those who are unfamiliar with him, will not forget his name quickly after revelling in his latest works. Move fast after the new year, this one ends January 12, 2013.

Barbican’s The Curve, London

London’s cultural mega-centre, the  Barbican, presents Random International’s Rain Room at The Curve. One may reference Moses, as they walk through the pouring rain without getting wet. The trick behind the effect? The 100 square meter indoor exhibit uses technology to track your position and control the rain. The installation will be open till March 3rd for those as keen as us on experiencing the phenomenon. Or,  make your own Rain Room, all you’ll need is water…and injection moulded tiles, solenoid valves, pressure regulators, custom software, 3D tracking cameras, wooden frames, steel beams, hydraulic management system, and a grated floor. Best just make it over to the Barbican.