I like free stuff, whether it be samples, tastings, or screenings. Of course art exhibits are included as well, and I visited two yesterday.

The first, the Light and Speed Exhibit at the 460 Degrees Gallery on the corner of 40th and 5th (you know, where that Pier 1 used to be), I stumbled upon by chance on my way to my real destination.

When I asked the dressed-all-in-black guy if it was an art exhibit, he hesitated and allowed, “It’s an exhibit. . . But it’s free. And there’s free juice and water and coffee. And free copies of Details magazine.” Good enough for me.

The 460 Degrees Gallery is essentially a marketing ploy for the latest Lexus model. I’m not sure what 460 Degrees means, like beyond 360 degrees? But what does that mean? Anyway, there are indeed IZZE sparkling juices (quite tasty by the way), Fiji waters, and La Colombe coffee at no charge, as well as those complimentary copies of Details (with Lance Armstrong on the cover wearing that frigging yellow bracelet; I’m going to start wearing a black bracelet that says, “I support nothing”).

As for art, it seemed inspired by the car, hence light and speed, and made for some fun pictures.

The exhibit will run through November 27, excluding Thanksgiving Day.

Now onto the main event, Canstruction 2006 at the New York Design Center on 33rd and Lex. Every year engineers and architects compete to design the most innovative and original structures out of canned and other packaged goods, all of which are donated to local food banks at the end of the competition.

Some of the can-structions (get it? get it?) were quite clever. . .

. . .though I couldn’t tell what a few of them were till I read the sign. For some reason I liked the animal variety best.

Canstruction runs through November 22. Price of admission is one can of food, which is then donated, like all food used in the competition, for distribution to shelters, soup kitchens, and elderly and day care centers.

Canstruction || Thru November 22 || New York Design Center, 33rd and Lex
Light and Speed Exhibit || Thru November 27, except for Thanksgiving || 460 Degrees Gallery, 40th and 5th