It may be a recession and galleries may be struggling to stay afloat (read more here, here, and here), but that didn't stop Chelsea from opening its doors last night to all those still looking to take in some art, sip some wine, and chat with artists. ARTINFO joined the crowds, stopping by Barry Friedman, Arario Gallery, Art Next Gallery, Cheim & Read, Tina Kim Fine Art, P.P.O.W., Sean Kelly Gallery, Highline Performing Arts Studios, and Larissa Goldston Gallery. And the kicker was at Steven Kasher Gallery, where the heady duo of Julian Schnabel and Lou Reed were signing copies of their new book, Berlin, a collection of photographs Schnabel took while filming Reed's 2007 tour that celebrated his 1973 album/rock opera of the same name.

Click on the photo gallery at left for pictures from last night's Chelsea openings.