The Dwell Guide to Events in Your City

Wednesday, April 30

The Public Art Fund hosts artist Paul Chan, whose apocalyptic vision–crumbling infrastructure, writhing silhouettes, animals in flight–is currently on view at the New Museum. Tonight, he discusses these works, as well as his recent travels in the Middle East and New Orleans. 6:30 p.m.; The New School, 66 W 12th St.; (212) 391-6801; www.newschool.edu

Forest fires, highway barriers, and the austerity of Icelandic terrain are the subjects of Edgar Martins sublimely minimalist landscape photography. Tonight he signs his latest book Edgar Martins: Topologies at Aperture Gallery. 6:30 p.m.; Aperture Gallery, 547 West 27th St., 4th Fl.; (212) 505-5555; www.aperture.org

Thursday, May 1

Paul Mankiewicz of the Gaia Institute researches and designs solutions to rising sea levels, urban heat islands, and human waste emissions, among other environmental problems. Tonight he shares his work in a talk titled Turning Risk Around: Material Flows, Ecosystem Growth, and Urban Landscape Renewal. 7 p.m.; The Architectural League of New York, The Urban Center, 457 Madison Ave.; (212) 753-1722; www.archleague.org

Limited edition glass works and furniture by iconic designer Ettore Sottsass are on display at the Friedman Benda gallery. Through June 21. Friedman Benda, 515 West 26th St.; (212) 239-8700; www.friedmanbenda.com

Credited as the originator of “art furniture,” Wendell Castle’s designs are at once sculptural and functional. Today, Barry Friedman gallery opens an exhibit of new and limited edition works by the artist. Through June 21. Barry Friedman LTD, 515 West 26th St.; (212) 239-8600; www.barryfriedmanltd.com

Friday, May 2

With the MoMA's exhibition of Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson in full swing, the American-Scandinavian Foundation opens From Another Shore, a showcase of twenty contemporary artists from those remote and chilly shores.  The American-Scandinavian Foundation at Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave.; (212) 879-9779; www.amscan.org

Last Chance: Pritzer Prize-winning architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron lays bare its design process for the New Parris Art Museum in Southhampton, New York. Catch the videos, material samples, and 130 architectural models before closing today. The Urban Center, 457 Madison Ave.; www.archleague.org

Richard Meier, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect who designed the J. Paul Getty Museum opens a 3,600 square-foot Warehouse filled with architectural models of past projects. (To set up a viewing time contact Richard Meier & Partners Architects at 212-967-6060.) www.richardmeier.com

Tuesday, May 6

For Masterpieces of Modern Design, the Met shows selections from its extensive 20th century collection, including works by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Eliel Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Verner Panton, Michael Graves, and others. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.; (212) 535-7710; www.metmuseum.org

Saturday, May 3

At the Cooper-Hewitt today, young ones can make books, buttons, magnets and more with Ellen Lupton, author of D.I.Y Kids, a recently published book of art projects. 2-4 p.m.; 2 East 91st St.; 212.849.8400; www.cooperhewitt.org

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