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Attending a multimedia show at this cavernous 11,000-sq. ft. space can feel like a trip to an adult funhouse. On crowded opening nights, young art-fanciers interact with web art, scamper through tree house-like assemblages, and skirt around performance artists. From video to print and from Barbie to Jell-o, no medium or pop icon is excluded. Not to say that the art here is frivolous. On the contrary, Exit Art is devoted to exploring controversial political/cultural issues and often pulls together highly topical shows at lightning speed—a matter of weeks in some cases. Founded in 1982 by Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo, the gallery has always featured boundary-pushing work by up-and-comers such as Roxy Paine, Fred Tomaselli, and David Wojnarowicz, but themed group exhibitions—usually open-call—have become the rule. In 2002, the gallery moved from Soho to its current digs: a ground-floor industrial shell with raw concrete floors, huge windows that overlook the Tenth Avenue approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, and an office surrounded by chain-link. A small staff, aided by enthusiastic volunteers, coordinates and curates each show—many peopled by first-timers, sometimes students. — Simon Spelling

Apart from its schedule of shows, the gallery sometimes hosts lectures and performance art events. A 3,000-square foot basement space is dedicated to such performances as well as digital video screenings of all kinds. Call, or check the website, for information.