FASHIONABLE VENUES BRIGHTEN JANUARY'S CHILL (c) By Polly Guerin

By Hermann Max Pechstein

The winter chill may tempt you to stay indoors but nothing cheers up the doldrums than fashion and art, and there are exhibits and events to attend worth bracing the cold to warm up your cultural pursuits. Here’s the scoop!!!

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM 1900-1930: Masterpieces from the Neue Galerie Collection. Prized works in this exhibition examines themes of primitivism and modernity, two poles of expressionism that artists employed to free themselves from the academic conventions of the nineteenth century. The engagement of these artists with the zeitgeist of the early 20th century in Germany led them to paint emotionally charged, often contrasting scenes. On display are cabaret and circus culture, as well as cityscapes of lonely, alienating Berlin Streets by artists including Max Beckmann, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Paul Klee, Franz Marc and many others. Pictured here: Young Woman with Red fan by Hermann Max Pechstein, ca. 1910. Also on view are over 100 works of German and Austrian decorative arts from Los Angeles-base attorney and collector Harry C. Sigman representing the work of a wide range of German pioneers. Neue Galerie, Museum for German and Austrian Art, 1048 Fifth Ave, at 86th St. Feb. 7-April 22, 2013.

59th WINTER ANTIQUE SHOW Celebrates the Preservation Society of Newport County. Newport: The Glamour of Ornament showcases fine and decorative art from eight of the historic Newport Mansions: The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer, Kingscote, Hunter House and Chepstow. The swell of Newport’s “cottages” had the desire and means to commission grand houses with ornate interiors—deliberate stage sets for their glamorous social lives. The Glamour of Ornament features more than 60 exquisite objects including a stunning silk brocade evening gown (circa 1890) with an 18-inch waist by “the father of haute couture,” Charles Frederick Worth. Furniture by historic cabinet makers includes John Goddard and sculptures by Gaston Lachaise. Stunning is a full length painting of Elizabeth Drexel Lehr by Giovanni Boldini, which usually hangs in The Elm’s ballroom. At the Park Avenue Armory, 67th Street and Park Avenue through February 3rd. Daily admission to the show is $20, which includes the Show’s award-winning catalogue. Hours 12pm-8pm, except Sundays and Thursday, 12pm-6pm.

CINEMATUESDAYS: The French Institute Alliance Francaise, Cinema Tuesdays turns to fashion THE MAN MAKES THE CLOTHES: PIERRE CARDIN IN FILM, celebrates Italian- born French designer Pierre Cardin, a fashion pioneer known for futuristic designs, bright colors, and an entrepreneur’s spirit. Over his prolific seven-decade career, the superstar revolutionized women’s fashion, brought fashion to postwar Japan, and pioneered fashion in China. Cardin also applied his talent and space-age aesthetic to costume design for more than a dozen film and television productions. Now FIAF presents a collection of his greatest costumes captured on film including Beauty and the Beast (1946) and Louis Malle’s Viva Maria! (1965), starring Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. At Florence Gould Hall and Tinker Auditorium, 55 East 59th Street, between Madison and Park Avenue. Free for FIAF members, non-members $10.

FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology investigates the impact of emerging technologies on the nature of fashion design and production with an array of more than 100 garments, accessories and textiles spanning 250 years. The exhibit considers how technological advancements from sewing machines to synthetic dyes to online shopping have influenced clothing design and productions. Highlights include a seamless Pierre Cardin dress from 29768 made with moldable “Cardine” fabric and a Balenciaga dress designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere that combines cutting-edge materials and traditional couture techniques. AT The Museum at FIT, 27TH Street and Seventh Avenue, through May 8. FREE Hours Tues.-Fri., noon-8pm, Sat., 10am-5pm.

Ta Ta Darlings!!! German Expressionism is worth the trip uptown and then of course there is the Café Sabarsky for afternoon tea. Fan mail welcome at pollytalk@verizon.net. Polly’s Blogs are best accessed at her website pollytalk.com. Just click on the link in the left-hand column for visonarymen, womendeterminedtosucceed, poetry or fashion.