Kari Scott, This is not cake, crystallized sugar, 7 X 7 X 4.5 inches, 2009, courtesy Transformer.>> Food extends beyond nourishment to culture, status, influence, and lifestyle, with countless books, gadgets, and other accoutrements necessary to make sure your seven-layer dip is the best at the party. Guest Curator Carolina Mayorga explores artistic perspectives on food and culture through the work of Chanan Delivuk, Sara Pomerance, Kari Scott, and Shannon Young. Bread and Butter opens at Transformer this Saturday with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. A series of special programs by guest artists continues through April and May.
>> Tonight is the opening reception for Elevator to the Moon: Retro-Future Visions of Space at Artisphere. Fifteen artists, inspired by outrageous futuristic space exploration predictions, like rocket boots, flying cars, and vacations on the moon, and made so long ago in the primitive 20th century. See the artists illustrate their interpretations of these flawed concepts plus some innovative ideas of their own. Opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a talk by curator Jared Davis at 6 p.m.
>> Tickets for Thursday’s Phillips After Five Journey to Japan: National Cherry Blossom Festival at The Phillips Collection include Japanese language lessons, food and drinks, plus a display of traditional Japanese kimonos and access to exhibits throughout the museum. 5 to 8:30 p.m. with two gallery talks on Japonisme in France at 6 and 7 p.m. $12 (nonmembers)
>> Artist Jimmy Miracle’s solo show Ordinary Glory, includes documentary photographs of his own site-specific installations, comes to a close at Pleasant Plains Workshop on Sunday. Stop by Thursday at 6 p.m. for a reception followed by an artist talk at 7 p.m.
>> Arlington Arts Center opens Spring Solos 2012 this Friday with five individual shows featuring Emily Biondo’s interactive sound installation, Michael Borek’s timeless photographs, Leah Cooper’s site-responsive drawings, and sculpture by Emily Hermant and Travis Head. The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Beginning Saturday, the new International Visiting Artist Si Jae Byun will concentrate on new works during her residency at AAC through the end of June. Also on view this week is This Is My City, a four-year retrospective show of work created by students in the photography exchange program.
>> Relive Childhood Memories of summer vacations, best friends, and carefree days at Del Ray Artisans’ mixed media show opening Friday, 7 to 10 p.m.
>> This weekend’s free films at the National Gallery of Art focus on Japanese films from the 1930s and ‘50s, beginning Friday afternoon with Ugetsu Monogatari and Sisters of the Gion at 2:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, catch Street of Shame followed by Tokyo Story at 4 p.m. Rashomon plays on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Art Notes
- MOCA DC celebrates its 20-year anniversary with an opening reception featuring new work and the debut of UP.FRONT@MOCA.DC, a juried series in the front lobby. Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Stop by artdc gallery for a First Friday event and see the newly-opened Earth Day exhibit, juried by the Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance. 7 to 10 p.m.
- It’s Champagne Saturday at Gallery 555dc with Curves & Lines, mixed media work by Julie and Ken Girardini. 1 to 5 p.m.
- The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop continues their 40th birthday celebration with CHAWbaret 9: Not in Kansas Anymore!, a musical performance mixing show tunes and old standards with pop songs. Friday at 8 p.m. followed by a 5 and 8 p.m. double-header on Saturday. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
- Slideluck Potshow is accepting entries for the April 21 event in Capitol Hill. The application deadline is April 12.
