“Memphis” by William Eggleston, courtesy Corcoran Gallery of Art>> Photography pioneer William Eggleston (who we heard gave an lively, if ornery, presentation to members last night) is featured in the Corcoran’s new retrospective, opening Saturday. Democratic Camera shows how Eggleston changed the way photographers treated and viewers looked at color photography, using every day objects as subjects. The exhibit also includes some of his video and rare black and white photos. This week is also the start of Corcoran’s Free Summer Saturdays (through August 29); head down for this Saturday’s Earth First Family Day featuring art workshops, music, tours and more.
>> The Arlington Arts Center opens Paradox Now this Friday. These eight, varied artists play around with cultural ideas through sculpture, film, photography, and more. D.C. artist A. Clarke Bedford, who the AAC jokes is their “alternative art historian,” creates imaginary “artifacts” for things that never happened, while Philadelphia sculptor Erin Williams makes a family tree that climbs from believable through history until she tracks her heritage implausibly back to Jesus. 6 to 9 p.m.
>> Join Irvine Contemporary for an “alley block party” this Saturday featuring their new urban art exhibition, Street/Studio. The work — by popular NY, LA and Berlin artists like Shepard Fairey, Dalek, and EVOL — is both inside the gallery and on the exterior walls in the alley behind it. Party with DJs Iona Rozeal Brown and Jahsonic from 6 to 11 p.m.
>> Making it a neighborhood event, the Pink Line Project opens Not From Concentrate: A Juicy Art Exhibit at Hounshell, just a block from Irvine at 1506 14th Street NW. Grab some vegan treats and check out the art between 6 and 8 p.m.
>> Keep heading down 14th to U Street on Saturday to catch Hamiltonian Gallery’s opening exhibit with five of their brand new fellows. 7 to 9 p.m.
>> Get in some pool time at Brightest Young Things’ ongoing Summer Camp at Capitol Skyline Hotel. This week features art installations, body painting, and lots of other good ol’ hands-on art activities, camp-style, along with some DJs. 12 to 8 p.m., all ages, $10. Drinks, food, lockers available for purchase/rental. Also at Skyline, see video art screenings curated by Brandon Morse from Conner Contemporary at 6 p.m.
>> We’re a fan of the work non-profit Critical Exposure does in helping D.C. kids to learn photography to document conditions in their public schools. If you are, too, help them raise funds through GlobalGiving’s campaign; if they raise $4000 before June 30 they earn a permanent spot on the donation list.
