• Known largely as a painter, Ross Bleckner is unveiling his first-ever crystal sculptures at Steuben’s flagship this week. Bleckner collaborated with the Corning, New York–based glassmaker to create three original works, ranging from a line of four-inch-tall blocks carved with the word FORGOTTEN ($295) to a 200-plus-pound painted crystal representation of human DNA. This is the first of a series of collaborations between Steuben and major contemporary artists, marking the manufacturer’s return to its heritage in retailing fine art, dating back to the thirties (Steuben, 667 Madison Ave., nr. 61st St.; 646-497-3753).
• Westbeth, the historic artists’ community developed in 1970 by Richard Meier, celebrates its 40th birthday this Sunday by inviting the public to tour 23 artists’ studios and residences overlooking the Hudson. Organized by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the festivities will include self-guided tours, as well as several led by architectural historian Andrew Dolkart. Since 1970, when Meier converted the former lab complex into a communal workspace for artists, Westbeth has housed hundreds of painters, photographers, writers, and sculptors, including the likes of Diane Arbus, Merce Cunningham, Moses Gunn, and Gil Evans (Sunday, November 14, 1–5 p.m.; $25–$75; 55 Bethune St., nr. Washington St.; 212-475-9585).
• During his two-decade career, prolific French designer Patrick Jouin has reimagined household tools ranging from the spoon to the toilet, going so far as to develop an entire self-cleaning lavatory for the streets of Paris. He gets his first solo show in New York, “Design and Gesture,” this week at the Museum of Arts and Design. The multimedia installation features 25 of Jouin’s designs, plus a new lighting fixture, called Reed, developed in collaboration with Italian lighting company Leucos (2 Columbus Cir., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-299-7777; through February 6).