8.  Michael Najjar: Outer Space at Benrubi Gallery

Michael Najjar is one of the pioneer astronauts of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. He’s been undergoing an intensive training in Star City, Russia since 2012, and is actually scheduled to board SpaceShipTwo in the near future. Michael Najjar: Outer Space is a series of his large-scale photographs, inspired by cutting-edge aeronautic technologies and the space tourism industry. His fictitious realities capture an intense and futuristic world that examine vital connections between humans and technology, reality and simulation.

This is the German artist’s first solo exhibition with the gallery, and first major showing of his series in New York. He hopes to engage conversation and reflection on our world, what it means to us, and the generations that will follow. In addition to the exhibit, video artworks based on Najjar’s extreme training will be shown. Michael Najjar: Outer Space will be on view from March 31 through May 14, 2016 at Benrubi Gallery, 521 West 26th Street, #2.