Arts Agenda
Last week, Artomatic announced the dates and location of this year’s art extravaganza, and today at noon, the registration flood gates open. If you want to participate, get out $90 and register quick before all of the good spots are taken. Don’t worry too much though; although registration is first come, first serve, there are nine full floors of space available this year, compared to last year’s two. Now, on to this week’s arts agenda.
>> Friday night, Tim Conlon and crew will be celebrating the closing of Conlon’s graffiti art installation at the Arlington Arts Center with a display of live painting from 3 to 8 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Pink Line Project's Philippa Hughes will be moderating a panel discussion with Conlon, fellow artist Susan Smith-Pinelo and National Portrait Gallery curator Jobyl A. Boone on Graffiti Art and the Influence of Hip Hop Culture. The event continues from 8 to 11 p.m. with a DJ, Video, Fashion, and Swag party, complete with refreshments, of course.
>> On Saturday, grab your camera and head on over to the Washington Monument to catch the 10 a.m. opening ceremony of the 42nd Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aside from the expected kite-flying kiddies, this year's festival also includes demonstrations by Chinese kite masters, exhibitions of authentic Chinese kites, kite making booths, and a handmade kite competition. Eight hundred free kites will be given to children at the event, so if you don’t have your own kite or child, you may want to think about snagging one.
>> Saturday night, Anacostia’s Honfleur Gallery holds an opening for its newest juried exhibit, Into the Light, which features nine artists new to the gallery whose works explore light, innovation and optimism and includes all types of media from video installation to photography. The reception is free, and starts at 7 p.m.
>> On Tuesday, American University’s Katzen Arts Center opens four spring exhibitions: Personal Landscapes: Contemporary Art from Israel, Willem de Looper, American University Art Department: Student Exhibitions, and Photos from the Prague Quadrennial 2007. Former Phillips Collection curator Looper’s exhibit showcases unique contributions to color field abstraction, while the Prague Quadrennial exhibition features 35 photographs from Prague’s 11th International Exhibition of Scenography and Theatre Architecture.
Photo by truenotes.
>> In addition to all of the openings and kite flying going on, this week is also packed with interesting artist talks. Tonight, Ellen Layman from George Mason University will be discussing the artwork of Paula Modersohn-Becker, one of few women pioneers in German Expressionism. 2008 marks the 100-year anniversary of the artist’s early death at age 31, and this book discussion is part of an international effort by the American Goethe Society to commemorate the artist. The event will occur at 6:45 p.m. in the GoetheForum of the Goethe-Institut. For information and to RSVP, contact Irmgard Wagner at iwagner [at] gmu.edu.
>> Or, if you prefer a bit of comedy with your art talks, head to the F Street lobby of the National Portrait Gallery tonight at 6 p.m. to hear Public Affairs Officer Bethany Bentley speak about the Stephen Colbert portrait.
>> And there is yet another artist talk this evening at Hillyer Arts Space from 6 to 8 p.m. Artist Don Kimes will give a rare insight into the processes and techniques used to create his subtle and abstract collage-like paintings. Space is limited for this event and priority will be given to members of International Arts & Artists. Although Hillyer requested RSVPs by Tuesday, if you’re interested in attending, try giving them a call today to reserve a spot. $5 Entry, free for Members and students with ID.
>> At Meat Market Gallery, D.C. artist and Corcoran professor Lisa Blas’ work examines contemporary American cultural identity through 19th century artifacts. If you haven’t yet caught her installation Meet Me at the Mason Dixon, there isn’t much time left. It closes this Sunday and Meat Market will be holding an artist talk on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Art Notes:
- Congratulations to Habatat Gallery in Tysons Corner! They celebrate their one year anniversary tonight at 8 p.m. with a free event featuring a live DJ, graffiti and refreshments. RSVP to infoVA [at] habatatgalleries.com.
- The DC Arts Center opens IPSO FACTO Saturday night from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit features the paintings and drawings of Jerome Spinner, and is curated by Jefferson Pinder, Karen Joan Topping, and B Stanley.
- Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Longview Gallery will be holding an opening reception for the work of Robert Sparrow Jones and Jamie Pocklington, both of which are featured in a recent issue of New American Paintings.
Image of Paula Modersohn-Becker's Der barmherzige Sameriter courtesy of the Yorke Project by Zenodot Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.