Photo by Karon
>> Forty years ago today, Apollo 11 launched to take the first manned mission to the Moon. Included in the celebrations at the National Air & Space Museum is an exhibition of paintings by Alan Bean, a former NASA astronaut and the fourth person to walk on the Moon, with the Apollo 12 mission. After resigning from NASA in 1981, he became a full-time artist, using an eye that’s seen parts of the universe most of us will never see to create reams of space-themed paintings. His work is on display though next January. Space enthusiasts should check the museum’s calendar for Apollo 11 events all through July, and be sure to check out the web site We Choose the Moon to watch Eagle and Columbia travel to the Moon in real time with some impressive animation and the archived audio tapes between Mission Control and the astronauts playing continuously.
>> DCAC’s annual Wall Mountables exhibit opens on Friday with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is divided into two by two foot squares, which artists acquired first come, first served during installation yesterday. The exhibit is typically an Artomatic re-deux (many artists uninstalled Artomatic last week and walked their artwork straight over to DCAC), but one that you can actually view in a single visit, at least. Expect some affordable work, for those of you with empty wall space over your couch.
>> This week’s summer art party is at 1248 Blagden Alley NW for D.C. Freshly Squeezed, where 12 emerging artists and three DJs will keep you company from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The venue has limited capacity and the party is 21 and over with a $20 expected donation, so you might want to just check out the art on your own time for free this Sunday through next Wednesday, 1 to 8 p.m.
>> Capitol Skyline Hotel has played host every weekend to a variety of parties and art events this summer. Week 8 of Brightest Young Things’ Summer Camp is horror themed, Camp Crystal Lake, Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m., $10. On Sunday, see experimental video curated by Brandon Morse and Leigh Conner from Conner Contemporary and the Rubell Family Collection (6 to 9 p.m.), along with a Synchroswim performance and competition in the pool by Washington Project for the Arts (6 to 7 p.m.) [Ed. note: Correction made to days; Summer Camp is on Saturday, the other two events are on Sunday]
