Music

Lady Gaga’s ‘Artpop’ pop-up

Most artists just roll out a new album with a couple of interviews, an appearance on “Letterman” and a secret concert to which nobody can get tickets. Not Lady Gaga.

She’s marking Monday’s release of “Artpop” with a free pop-up exhibit — “Artpop Pop Up: A Lady Gaga Gallery” — in Manhattan, intended to give her beloved Little Monsters a close-up look at her crazy mind and even crazier fashion sense.

The exhibit — at her late pal Alexander McQueen’s former store on West 14th Street — features artifacts and artworks from Gaga’s career, including the meat dress from the “Monster Ball” tour (although thankfully, it’s a replica and not made of real meat), the hand bra outfit from the recent “Applause” video and the striking paper dress she wore on “Good Morning America” in August. Giant canvases of her album and single covers also adorned the walls.

Nearly 100 fans of the New York singer lined up down the street before opening, to be the first to get a glimpse into their heroine’s style and maybe catch a look at Gaga herself. But despite the rumors of an appearance, she didn’t show.

Like any pop star with artistic aspirations beyond making songs, Gaga has come in for criticism for daring to mix music with art. But she doesn’t deserve it. The gallery is just the latest example of Gaga using her fame to bring attention to the art world and expose her followers to ideas they don’t get from the rest of the Top 40.

The art critics may sneer, but at least Gaga is not treating her fans like mindless consumers. By collaborating with contemporary artist Jeff Koons for the cover of “Artpop” (and many other aspects of the project), she is introducing her often very young fans to other creative people, and encouraging them to be artistic themselves.

At one area of the gallery, fans can record their own dance sequences to “Applause.” At another, white papered walls allow visitors to write and draw on their own canvas. That canvas also extends to the downloadable interactive app for “Artpop” that allows users to create and share animated GIFs and DJ mixes.

It’s an entry into the wider art world that other pop stars like Beyoncé or Rihanna certainly don’t offer. In the way that Velvet Underground still helps curious rock ’n’ roll fans find out about Andy Warhol and the pop-art movement, Gaga is doing something similar with “Artpop.”

If you’re a monster Gaga fan or just happen to be in the area, it’s well worth a look. The pop-up exhibit is at 417 W. 14th St., and is open noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.