GALLERIES Galleries A.I.R. Gallery 511 W. 25th St. (betw. ...

A.I.R. Gallery 511 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Sts.), 212-255-6651, www.airnyc.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Wish You Were Here Too! Postcards," benefit exhibit/ fundraiser displays 300 cards created & written by artists, addressed to whoever ends up buying it [through 7/19].

Anton Kern Gallery 532 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-367-9663, www.antonkerngallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "Edward Krasinski," site specific installation by Polish conceptual artist feat. mirrors & blue tape [through 8/1].

Apexart 291 Church St. (White St.), 212-431-5270, www.apexart.org Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Curatorial Program," for this program Katy Siegel selected two gallerists to select two artists each to exhibit their work. Basically, cool art by under-recognized but deserving artists [through 7/26].

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. (5th Ave.), 212-360-8163, www.nyc.gov/parks Mon.-Fri. 9-5. Free. "Central to the City: Manhattan Squares," not the NYC version of the TV show but an exhibit of photos, postcards & renderings representing our favorite patch of green [through 9/5].

Bruce Silverstein Gallery 504 W. 22nd St. (10th Ave.), 212-627-3930, www.brucesilverstein.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Frank Paulin: Out of the Limelight," feat. artist's vintage & non-vintage photos from the last half of the 20th century [through 7/12].

Cheryl Hazan Arts Gallery 35 N. Moore St. (betw. Varick & Hudson Sts.), 212-343-8964, www.CherylHazanArts.com Mon.-Sat. 12-6. Free. "Flora & Fauna Manifestations," as summer draws near, artists turn their attentions to natural things incl. bathers & boom boxes at Coney Island [through 8/15].

ClampArt 531 W. 25th St. (10th Ave.), 646-230-0020, www.clampart.com Tues.-Fri. 11-6. Free. "Boys of Summer: Photographs of and About Men," group show incl. Goldin & Mapplethorpe promises 'artistic representations of the male form,' yup, they mean nekked men [through 9/6].

Denise Bibro Fine Art 529 W. 20th St. 4th fl. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-647-7030. Tues.-Sat. 11-5. Free. "City Dwellers & Recent Work," for a preview of Mark Hadjipateras' art check out the cool mosaic creatures on the walls of 28th Street's N/R station [through 7/3].

The Drawing Center 35 Wooster St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-219-2166, www.drawingcenter.org Tues.-Fri. 10-6; Sat. 11-6. Free. "Róza El-Hassan: Drawings," wall drawing/installation stretched weblike through the space [through 7/26].

Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery 516 W. 25th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-645-0061, www.eyejammie.com Mon.-Sat. 12-6. Free. "Hip Hop in Black & White," Al Pereira's photos of the 'heroes of hip hop' incl. Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash & Queen Latifah [through 7/3].

Haim Chanin Fine Arts 210 11th Ave. 2nd fl. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 646-230-7200, www.haimchanin.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "Magic Memories," Ofelia Rodriguez creates mixed-media paintings & works on paper but her signature pieces, abracadabra, are three-dimensional magic boxes [through 7/12].

International Center of Photography 1133 6th Ave. (43rd St.), 212-857-0000, www.icp.org Tues.-Thurs. 10-5; Fri. 10-8; Sat. & Sun. 10-6. $10, $7 st./s.c. "Dreaming in Pictures: The Photography of Lewis Carroll," photos, mainly of enigmatic children, by the acclaimed & beloved author. "Poetic Images: Literary Illustrations from the Richard and Ronay Menschel Library," photos from the 1840s through 1910. "Cuba on the Verge: An Island in Transition," major exhibit on that place we're not allowed to visit [through 8/31].

June Bateman Gallery 560 B'way #306 (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-925-7951, www.junebateman.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Flora & Fauna," b&w photos by Joseph Jurson who zooms in on the plant world, from funghi to lily pads & Nick Brandt who rubs noses w/elephants, giraffes & lions [through 8/30].

Kravets/Wehby Gallery 521 W. 21st St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-352-2238. Tues.-Sat. 11-6. "The Last Sunday in June," Jamel Shabazz's (of Back In The Days fame) photos focusing on the Gay Pride Parade. Expect floats, divas, costumes, drag/drama queens & many rainbow colors [through 8/31].

La Vuelta 10-43 44th Dr. (betw. 11th St. & Vernon Blvd.), 718-361-1858. Mon.-Thurs. 11-11; Fri. 11; Sat. 1. "The Great Painters Ball," exhibit of 28 artists opens w/huge party feat. bands, DJs & hoopla [through 7/5].

Lance Fung Gallery 537 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-334-6242, www.lancefunggallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Architectural Therapy," has your building seemed a bit depressed of late? Slightly schizo? Bring it to China Blue's new feng shui installation & it's sure to feel better [through 7/18].

Leica Gallery 670 B'way (Bond St.), 212-777-3051, www.leica-camera.com Tues.-Fri. 11-6; Sat. 12-6. Free. "Last Journey," photos by Inge Morath, world-renowned capturer of images, taken in '01 in Styria & Slovenia, just one year before she passed away [through 8/9].

LFL Gallery 531 W. 26th St., 4th fl. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-989-7700, www.lflgallery.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Plateau Sigma," Tim Lokiec's risqué oil paintings & some drawings will be on view [through 8/1].

Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology 7th Ave. (27th St.), 212-217-5800, www.fitnyc.suny.edu Tues.-Fri. 12-8; Sat. 10-5. Free. "The Big, the Bold, and the Beautiful: Hand Screen-Printing for Fashion and Interiors," on this very special day examine U.S. & European textiles & fashions w/large motifs & saturated colors [through 8/2].

Plane Space 102 Charles St. (betw. Hudson St. & 7th Ave.), 917-606-1268, www.plane-space.com Wed.-Sat. 10-6; Sun. 1-5. "In Summation: Inaugural Season Artists," if you have not been attending every exhibit at this gallery, now is your chance to view the "cliffs notes" for the season [through 7/27].

Posteritati Movie Poster 239 Centre St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-226-2207, www.posteritati.com Tues.-Sat. 11-7; Sun. 12-6. Free. "The Freed Unit & The Golden Age of the MGM Musical," show of international movie posters from MGM classics of the 30s-50s [through 7/31].

Robert Mann Gallery 210 11th Ave., 10th fl. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 212-989-7600, www.robertmann.com Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Ansel Adams 100+1," roaring falls, craggy cliffs & stunning landscapes await you [through 8/22].

The Rocking Horse Gallery 182 8th Ave. (19th St.), 212-381-7098. Mon.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Celestial Happiness," Steven Miller exhibits abstract oil paintings, previously spotted on Sex in the City & Frasier [through 8/8].

Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Gallery 31 Mercer St. (Grand St.), 212-226-3232, www.feldmangallery.com Tues.-Sat. 10-6. Free. "Clemens Weiss," expect unusual environments made from industrial materials, over 1,000 'erotically charged' drawings & sculptural objects made of plate glass & glue

SculptureCenter 44-19 Purves St. (Jackson Ave.), L.I.C., 718-361-1750, www.sculpture-center.org Thurs.-Tues. 12-6. Free. "The First Long Island City Blimp Derby," get set for Olav Westphalen's event/installation of remote-controlled blimp races through specifically designed track?bring your blimp, team & uniform [through 8/16].

68 Degrees 412 B'way, 3rd fl. (Canal St.), 212-431-6868. Mon.-Fri. 9-6. Free. "Shameless Distortion: Punk Rock/New Wave Icons 1979-1999," photos by B.C. Kagan of prominent rockers [through 7/31].

Socrates Sculpture Park B'way (Vernon Blvd.), LIC, 718-956-1819, www.socratessculpturepark.org Daily 9 a.m.-sunset. "Yard," outdoor exhibit on privatization of landscape & suburban life [through 8/3].

Soho Photo Gallery 15 White St. (betw. 6th Ave. & W. B'way), 212-226-8571, www.sohophoto.com Thurs. 6-8; Fri.-Sun. 1-6. Free. "Men Connecting," photographer Ed Evans' provocative exhibit captures body parts entangled by piercings & wires [through 7/5].

Staley-Wise Gallery 560 B'way # 305 (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-966-6223. Tues.-Sat. 11-5. "Pictures I Had to Take," photos by Joel Grey, the actor & father of a girl named Jennifer, taken on location during the last 25 years [through 7/3].

Studio 12N 19 W. 36th St. #12n (5th & 6th Aves.), 212-947-0898. Mon.-Fri. 9-5. "Cruel but Stylish," where are Cinderella's evil stepsisters when you need them? Exhibit consists of charcoal drawings of fashionable yet unwearable heels [through 7/26].

Tibor de Nagy Gallery 724 5th Ave. (betw. 56th & 57th Sts.), 212-262-5050, www.tibordenagy.com Tues.-Sat. 10-5:30. Free. "Selected Works: Jean Hélion," oil on canvas paintings by Hélion, from a private collection, courtesy of the Flow Chart Foundation [through 7/25].

Tribes Gallery 285 E. 3rd St. (betw. Aves. C & D), 212-674-3778, www.tribes.org Daily 12-6. "Idolatry," 'passive aggressive' photos by Nikki Johnson [through 7/5].

White Columns 320 W. 13th St. (Horatio St.), 212-924-4212, www.whitecolumns.org Weds.-Sun. 12-6. Free. "Phantom Arch," four artists reflect on 'ideas of architecture, memory & unseen forces'. [through 8/2].

Museums/Cultural Inst.

American Museum of Natural History Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org Daily 10-5:45. $12, $9 st./s.c., $7 child. "Einstein," comprehensive exhibition on dude synonymous with e=mc2, creating "special theory of relativity" & proving the existence & size of molecules. Displayed in five parts ("Einstein's Revolution," "Life and Times," "Light," "Time," "Energy"), presentation incl. never-before-seen photos, cartoons & documents [through 8/10]. "Vietnam: Journeys of the Body, Mind & Spirit," comprehensive exhibition on Vietnamese life today [through 1/4/04]. "Milstein Hall of Ocean Life," the whale is back! After a few months resting up from a little cosmetic surgery, just a few nips & tucks, big blue is back in action?suspension??in the redone hall of fishy life. "Chocolate," learn the 2000 year history of this delicious treat that sedates half the population.

Asia Society 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-517-2742, www.asiasociety.org Tues.-Thurs., Sat. & Sun. 11-6; Fri. 11-9. $7, $5 st./s.c., child. under 16 free. "The World of Buddhism," exhibition exploring important concepts & imagery of Buddhism. [through 12/14]. "Landscape of Memory: The Art of Mu Xin," art done in prison is always interesting. What would you paint? [through 9/7]

Brooklyn Museum of Art 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-638-5000, www.brooklynart.org Weds.-Fri. 10-5; Sat. & Sun. 11-6; first Sat. of the month 11-11 contrib. $6, $3 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity," almost 600 objects (treasures, reliefs, statuettes, etc.) dating back from circa 4400 BC to 1353 BC. "Pulp Art: Vamps, Villains, and Victors from the Robert Lesser Collection," more than 100 paintings created for fiction magazine covers in the 30s & 40s [through 8/31].

Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture 515 W. 20th St. 4E (10th Ave.), 212-924-4500, www.jcllcm.com Sun. 2-5. $5. "From Home to Home: Jewish Immigration to America," ongoing interactive exhibition for kids ages 6-12 followed by arts & crafts. No strollers.

Cooper Hewitt's National Design Museum 2 E. 91st St. (5th Ave), 212-849-8380, www.si.edu/ndm Tues.-Thurs. 10-5; Fri. 10-9; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 12-6. $8, $5 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now," overview of last three years of American architectural & design progress [through 1/25].

Czech Center New York 1109 Madison Ave. (83rd St.), RSVP 212-288-0830, www.czechcenter.com Tues. Weds. Fri. 9-5; Thurs. 9-7. "Sonja Bullaty; Kafka's Prague," see photos of the location of many nefarious doings by our very own editors [through 9/5].

Freakatorium Museum/El Museo Loco 57 Clinton St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-375-0475, www.freakatorium.com Thurs.-Sun. 1-7. $5, $3 child. under 12. "Cabinet of Curiosities," collection of oddities culled by sword swallower Johnny Fox incl. photography from the 1800s, hermaphrodites, freaks, Sammy Davis' glass eye & other strange acquisitions.

The Frick Collection 1 E. 70th St. (betw. Madison & 5th Aves.), 212-288-0700, www.frick.org Tues.-Thurs. & Sat. 10-6; Fri. 10-9; Sun. 1-6. $12, $8 s.c., $5 st. "Whistler, Women and Fashion," 100 years after the death of James McNeill Whistler, exhibit explores paintings, prints, drawings & costumes relating to his interest in fashion [through 7/13]. "Willem Van Tetrode (c.1525-1580) Bronze Sculptures of the Renaissance," mini bronzes of 'muscular males in poised or violent motion' by Dutch sculptor [through 9/7].

Gallery of Arts & Science at New York Academy of Science 2 E. 63rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-838-0230, www.nyas.org Mon.-Fri. 9-5. free. "Look Up! Contemplating the Skies," please watch out for man-holes & other dangertown obstacles while admiring interpretations of the cosmos by artists incl. Fred Tomaselli & Nancy Macko [through 8/29].

Gallery of the French Institute Alliance Française 22 E. 60th St. (betw. Park & Madison Aves.), 212-355-6100, www.fiaf.org Mon.-Thurs. 10-8; Fri. 10-6; Sat. 9-1:30. Free. "A Celebration of French Polynesia," in memory of Gauguin, FIAF brings you 25 Tahitian artists' sculptures & paintings [through 8/22].

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum Pier 86 W. 46th St. (12th Ave.), 212-245-0072, www.intrepidmuseum.org Mon.-Fri. 10-5; Sat.-Sun. 10-7. $14, $10 vets./reservists/st./s.c., $7 child. 6-11, $2 child. 2-5, active duty/child. 0-2 free. "All Hands on the Deck," test your coding & knot-tying skills. "Intrepid Remembers 9/11," indoor & outdoor exhibit incl. 17 ft. by 10 ft. mural & two steel beams from the WTC. "Attack Cobra Helicopter," earlier version of aircraft deployed to Afghanistan. "Virtual Flight Simulators," 4-D experience.

Merchant's House 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette St.), 212-777-1089. Thurs.-Mon. 1-5. $5, $3 st./s.c. "The Changing Silhouette of Fashion? Six Decades of Tredwell Costumes," monthly-rotating long term exhibit highlighting typical 1830-1880 dress beginning w/1830 cream colored, ankle-length muslin dress.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Grace Rainey Rogers Aud. 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-570-3949. Tues.-Thurs. & Sun. 9:30-5:30; Fri. & Sat. 9:30-9. $12, $7 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. African-American Artists: 1929-1945, more than 80 paintings, drawings & prints taken from museum's collection [through 7/6]. "Arms and Armor: Notable Acquisitions 1991-2002" [through 6/29]. "Celebrating Saint Petersburg," oodles of Russian & European art from the 1700s through the early 20th century, for the 300th anniversary of the 'Burg [through 1/25/04]

MOMA QNS 33rd St. (Queens Blvd.), L.I.C., 212-708-9400, www.moma.org Thurs. & Sun. 10-5; Fri. & Sat. 10-9.. $12, $8.50 st./s.c., Fri. after 4 pay-what-you-wish. "Max Beckmann," Mostly paintings but works in many mediums by one of the great painters of the 20th century [through 9/29].

Museum of the City of New York 1220 5th Ave. (103rd St.), 212-534-1672, www.mcny.org Weds.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-5. $7, $4 st./s.c./child., $12 families. "Roaring into the Twenties: The New New York Woman," these fabulous women threw off social restraints by donning short skirts, cutting their hair & doing as they darn well pleased. See their costumes, jewelry & photos [through 9/14].

National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center, 1 Bowling Green (betw. State & Whitehall Sts.), 212-514-3700, www.americanindian.si.edu Fri.-Weds. 10-5; Thurs. 10-8. Free. "The Edge of Enchantment," photographs, multimedia installations & video footage examining the lives of Native communities in Oaxaca, Mexico [through 7/15]. "All Roads Are Good: Native Voices on Life & Culture," displays more than 300 symbolic objects [permanent]. "CONTINUUM: 12 Artists," launch of 18 month series of works by various artists who were inspired by or knew George Morrison & Allan Houser, two major figures of Native American art.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy & Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, 65th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-870-1630, www.nypl.org Thurs. 12-8; Tues., Weds., Fri. & Sat. 12-6. Free. "Puppetry of Shadow and Light," multimedia exhibition on shadow puppets showcasing both traditional & modern interpretations of paper cut-outs dancing on screens [through 9/16].

The New-York Historical Society 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400, www.nyhistory.org Tues.-Sun. 11-6. $6, $4 st./s.c., child. under 12 free. "Presidential Manuscripts," series of exhibitions highlighting one president at a time [long term]. "Beals, Hervey, and Hewitt: Women Pioneers of Architecture and Design Photography," three pioneering female photographers' photos of NY [through 7/13]. "Milton Rogovin: The Forgotten Ones," hmm, who is missing? Documentary photos & short film of the ghettos of Buffalo [through 9/14].

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center 22-25 Jackson Ave. (46th Ave.), LIC, 718-784-2084, www.ps1.org Thurs.-Mon. 12-6. $5, $2 st./s.c. "Unveiling the Innocents," photos & documentary by Taryn Simon on wrongfully imprisoned individuals [through 8/31].

Queens Museum of Art New York City Bldg., Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, 718-592-9700, www.queensmuse.org Tues.-Fri. 10-5; Sat. & Sun. 12-5. Contrib. $5, $2.50 st./s.c., child. under 5 free. "Salvador DalÌ: Dream of Venus," for the 1939 World's Fair Mr. DalÌ created a surreal funhouse pavillion complete w/half-naked ladies swimming about in a pool. Check out the print version of his live extravanganza peepshow. "Proyectos Especiales!", feat. five NY-based Spanish artists' work. Climb inside an enormous milk carton, admire video work & don't forget to check out the educators' t-shirts [through 9/7].

Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art 495 B'way 3rd. fl. (betw. Spring & Broome Sts.), 212-925-2035, www.swissinstitute.net Tues.-Sat. 11-6. Free. "Dust Memories," is not another name for 'acid flashback' or 'opium dream,' it is, in fact, a group show on the 'residue of reality,' got it? [through 8/2].

Whitney Museum at Altria 120 Park Ave. (42nd St.), 212-570-3633, www.whitney.org Mon.-Fri. 11-6; Thurs. 11-7:30. Free. "Dario Robleto: Say Goodbye to Substance," mixing culture, science & material history like a DJ mixes funk, hiphop & jazz [through 7/3].

Whitney Museum of American Art 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-570-3676, www.whitney.org Tues.-Thurs., Sat. & Sun. 11-6; Fri. 1-9. $12, $9.50 st./s.c./groups 10 or more; Fri. 6-9 pay-what-you-wish. "Elie Nadelman: Sculptor of Modern Life," tribute to modernist sculptor whose works in bronze, marble, wood & plaster exhibit modern & classical influences [through 7/20]. "Louise Bourgeois: The Insomnia Drawings," Can't sleep? What a shame. Do something productive w/your waking hours & see this exhibit [through 9/21].

World Monuments Fund 95 Madison Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.), 646-424-9594, www.worldmonuments.org "Fragile Jewels of India: Preserving an Extraordinary Architectural Heritage," show consists of photos, textiles, tools, crafts & architectural details focusing on Jaisalmer, the Golden Fort of Rajasthan [through 9/10].

Openings/Receptions

55 Mercer Gallery 55 Mercer St. (Broome St.), 212-226-8513. Tues.-Sat. 10-5. Free. "Paper View," Playful art by Keith Gamache uses connect-the-dots technique for his paper on paper on canvas works [opens 7/8, reception 7/12 from 6-8, through 7/2].

Flux Factory 3838 43rd St. (betw. Northern Blvd. & Skillman Ave.), Long Island City, 718-707-3362, www.fluxfactory.org Free. "While You Were Playing Rubik's Cube," And you thought video games were bad for you...these artists made the most of their experiences w/Atari & used it to stimulate their creativity

Guggenheim Museum 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-423-3500, www.guggenheim.org Fri. 10-8; Sat.-Weds. 10-5:45. $12 $8 st./s.c. child. under 12 free. "From Picasso to Pollock: Classics of Modern Art," take a historical tour through more than 100 pieces by the masters from Modernism to Abstract Expressionism [opens 7/4, through 9/28].

Soho Photo Gallery 15 White St. (betw. 6th Ave. & W. B'way), 212-226-8571, www.sohophoto.com Thurs. 6-8; Fri.-Sun. 1-6. Free. "Winners of the National Competition," works by 18 lucky & talented photographers from around the country [reception 7/8 from 6-8, through 8/9].

UBS Art Gallery 1285 6th Ave. (betw. 51st & 52nd Sts.), 212-713-2885. Mon.-Fri. 8-6. free. "Studio in a School: Imagine That!," see the works of tomorrow's masters, art by kids ages 3-12 celebrating imagination [opens 7/3, through 9/12].

Whitney Museum of American Art 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-570-3676, www.whitney.org Tues.-Thurs. Sat.& Sun. 11-6; Fri. 1-9. $12, $9.50 st./s.c./groups 10 or more; Fri. pay-what-you-wish 6-9 p.m. "The American Effect," explores the global sprawl of our culture & society, how it is idealized & demonized [opens 7/3, through 10/12].