Arts Agenda
Image of work by Shepard Fairey, from ManifestHope:DC
One does hope (ahem) that they plan on saying a lot more than that. It is art, after all, and we prefer art that's brave and makes one stop and think, instead just petting our already warm and fuzzy parts. Luckily, you have more than your fair share of chances to find out if they do at the following parties and exhibits this Inaugural Weekend.
>> If you hit one art show this weekend, it should be ManifestHope:DC, an enormous group art show organized by MoveOn.org, SEIU, and Obey Giant, with gallery management through Irvine Contemporary. Held at the large 3333 M Street NW location in Georgetown, about 100 artists, who won their spot through a contest, will show their political work focused on one of three areas: Health Care Reform, Workers Rights, or The Green Economy. See notable local names such as Tim Conlon, Tim Tate, Decoy, Billy Colbert and Lisa Marie Thalhammer during the opening hours, Saturday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
>> Did you get your tickets to The Art of Change party already? They officially sold out at 10 a.m. this morning, but we're hearing rumors they released a few more, so head over quickly if you want to go. The celebration at Warehouse on Tuesday night is hosted by partners Artomatic and Playa Del Fuego, with about a zillion other arts orgs sponsoring some arm of the party that features two dance floors, tons of visual art, fire performers, and a variety stage. $50, cash bar, 18 and over, and remember the nearby Mt. Vernon Metro will be closed that night.
>> A political exhibit focused on social challenges, Stars and Stripes: Pride and Hope Reinterpreted, opened at Smith Farm's Healing Arts Gallery last week, and we're intrigued by their panel discussion with the artists on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
>> Remember FotoweekDC last November? The people behind it are turning it into FotoAllTheTime with new projects, including fotobamaweek. Submit your photos from the campaign or inauguration until March 15; the top 100 winning images will be displayed in the Newseum, published in a limited edition book, and may receive big cash prizes. Details here.
>> Flickr fans, take note! Flickr.com is having its first official meet-up here in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day. Join the bigwigs, get some swag, and meet-up with other Flickr nerds at Sova Espresso and Wine on H Street from 12 to 8 p.m.
>> The Phillips Collection takes the underlying themes of Obama's candidacy to heart, re-installing 30 panels of Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series, along with The Eight: Rebels for American Art. Say "inauguration" at the ticket counter and get two for admission. Closed Tuesday.
>> What kind of "hope" can there possibly be without chocolate, right? Biagio Fine Chocolate is hosting an exhibition of Scout Tufankjian's photographs as she followed Obama's presidential campaign. See the work, eat some sweets and buy her book at the opening reception Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., or stop by on Inauguration Day, 2 to 10 p.m.
>> Another arty Inauguration party option is the Wonderball at Wonderland Ballroom on Tuesday night. Partnering with Policy Brand and Bloom Bars, you'll show off your "funky eclectic formal" outfit on the red carpet entering the venue, and get a limited edition poster and tee-shirt. $69, drinks included, 10 p.m.
>> If you get locked out of Warehouse's Tuesday night party, you can try the one on Sunday night, the Obama Wonderama, "an Inauguration celebration of star-studded burlesque and Coney Island-style sideshow." Check it out for the low-low inauguration price of $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
>> The National Portrait Gallery will be open Tuesday to present a new exhibition, Presidents in Waiting, featuring our nation's vice-presidents, the roles they played, and how it changed as the office went from being the runners-up prize to a straight-line party vote. Check out Shepard Fairey's Obama portrait while you're there.
>> H&F Fine Arts has their own Obama inspired group show opening this week; check out the reception on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.
>> What's up with the Smithsonians this weekend? Head over to their Inauguration site to see who's open and who's doing what.
Anything Else?
- The Curator's Office is having an opening reception on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. for Lucid Dreaming, featuring three artists.
- Gallery Neptune in Bethesda has an artists discussion on Saturday at 2 p.m. on their ongoing exhibit, A Logic of Their Own Making
- Hillyer has their monthly HOME poetry open mic night on Friday. Sign up at 6 p.m., performances at 7 p.m. $5.
- Get away from inauguration madness at Athenaeum Gallery, where they open the scenic Maine Woods and Waters with a reception on Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Change for everybody: Art Enables unveils a new web site.
- For the photo nerds, Wired noticed that Obama's presidential portrait is the first to come with EXIF data.