If you’re into racy, on-the-edge art and societal commentary, you may want to get over to Art in General, the gallery at 79 Walker Street. This week, from November 12th through 19th, the gallery is showcasing a rather unusual exhibit. Called “I’ll Raise You One…” the installation includes a series of poker games that will each run seven-and-a-half hours each day for the entire week. A new game starts as soon as the last one ends…and all games include strip poker.

That’s right. These seven card players at a time will be baring it all at the TriBeCa storefront gallery. Aside from the simple shock value there is, of course, a more significant message being conveyed here.

Zefrey Throwell created the installation to create a metaphor for the economy. The clothing symbolize the money. Using strip poker, he’s trying to show that no one can control the luck of the draw; even if some people show up in the beginning with more clothes (or money) than others, we all have to play by the rules and we are all subject to luck in our lives.

As Throwell explained,

“Wealth is unequally distributed — yet we’re all expected to play by the same rules. It’s a political and economic criticism.”

Photo courtesy of Zefrey Throwell.