By Lavanya Ramanathan
Friday, February 1, 2008
They dole out hundreds of thousands of dollars for art -- for the honor of being patrons. And locally, when you say "collector," a few names come to mind: Heather and Tony Podesta (like Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Podestas must be taken as a pair); Pink Line Project's adventurous founder, Philippa Hughes; and Philip Barlow, who recently was photographed, painted and sculpted 15 different ways by local artists in an exhibition at the Curator's Office.
But what would an illustrious Washington collector do if offered a mini-gallery to curate as he or she pleases? The Arlington Arts Center asks that in its little experiment, "Collectors Select," which opens with a reception tonight.
Daniel Levinas, a collector of Latin American art, wanted the walls raspberry pink. Odd, we know. But raspberry does add that certain something to the room's obsessive, almost mechanical blueprints by Argentine artist Le¿n Ferrari, whose highly controlled, repetitive works reflect the atmosphere under his native country's military dictatorships.
And what to do about the Arts Center's "Tiffany Room," which has one wall covered with Tiffany stained-glass windows? Hughes chose D.C. graffiti artist Tim Conlon and his crew (Bryan Conner, The Soviet, Rams) to have his way with the other three walls, the street art playing hilariously off the staunch Tiffany, and vice versa.
Barlow selected the same geometric and ordered works he might buy, by artists such as Tomas Rivas and Michele Kong; the Podestas brought in performance artist Kathryn Cornelius, photographer Steve Alterman and Barbara Liotta (whose site-specific string bridge-like sculpture, "Ascent," is a stunning centerpiece for the space). Henry Thaggert turned his exhibit into the AV room, choosing to show the gender- and race-exploring video works of Bradley McCallum and Jacqueline Tarry. And old-school collector Julian Fore went with favorite local artists, including William Christenberry and Sam Gilliam.
Though the collectors probably own hundreds of pieces, those aren't the works you'll find here. The collectors merely chose the artists who represented their vision, and borrowed.
Free. The reception is from 6 to 9 tonight; show, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through March 29. Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-248-6800.
Save the Date
CONCERT: "Free to Sing: The Story of the First African-American Opera Company" The upcoming performance at Strathmore, a commission featuring the Morgan State University Choir and the culmination of work by many people, including scholars and music directors, tells through song the story of Washington's Colored American Opera Company, which began in 1873 and went on to perform "The Doctor of Alcantara" to packed houses to raise money to build a new church. Announced a year ago, the Feb. 16 performance has been sold out for ages; but this week, additional tickets were released. So consider this your last notice. $21-$45. 8 p.m. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100.
CONCERT: Mary Wilson Returns Still riding the "Dreamgirls" wave is Mary Wilson (and yes, Jennifer Hudson, but that's another story). Wilson was one of the three original Supremes and continues to perform several nights a week. After a visit to Washington nearly a year ago, the singer returns to Blues Alley to perform her typical blend of show tunes and jazz later this month. $43. 8 and 10 p.m. Feb. 21-24. 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-337-4141.
EXHIBIT: "Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture" The name is unfortunate. But this show at the National Portrait Gallery beginning next week does offer an opportunity to see artists whose work is infused with hip-hop culture, including poetry, graffiti and spoken word: photographer David Scheinbaum, painter Kehinde Wiley, new-media artist Jefferson Pinder. Also featured in the show is a poem about hip-hop, "It's Not a Just Situation," by Nikki Giovanni, and large wall works by local graffiti artists Tim Conlon and Dave Hupp. The show opens Feb. 8. Free. 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 26. National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.
The District
Today
EXHIBIT: DC GreenheArt Okay, so you have to go to a condo building to catch this show and reception, but a couple of the artists have assured us it's about the art, not subscribing to gentrification. The exhibit, held at the Lofts 11, features works by 20 or so mostly local, mostly low-brow and street-art-inspired artists, including Matt Sesow and Kelly Towles, Baltimore's Pexcho and others. (The "green" part is that proceeds from the sale of the art benefit EarthEcho International, a nonprofit environmental organization run by Philippe Cousteau.) Free (but RSVP required; e-mail rsvp@taurusdev.com). 7-10 p.m. 1125 11th St. NW.
THE SCENE: Sweden After Dark So, what are you doing after you hit GreenheArt? Perhaps it's time you checked out the glass-'n'-steel wonder that is the House of Sweden. It's hosting a bash tonight; check out the "Herbarium Amoris" show of photographs by Edvard Koinberg. Bonus: Drinks will be served and it's open bar till 11! Note: It's going to be packed, so get there early to get in. $10 donation requested. 8 p.m.-midnight. 30th and K streets NW (on the Georgetown waterfront). 202-467-2600.
CONCERT: Dance Party, Army of Me The local acts on this bill are some of the rising stars in town, and the Dance Party is widely known for literally getting the party started. They play an all-ages show tonight with Army of Me, Exit Clov and Pittsburgh's Good Night, States. $10. Doors at 8 p.m. Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. 202-388-7625.
TomorrowON STAGE: Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter The skit-happy comics return to Washington with an endless supply of smarty-pants male humor (anatomical references, we have heard, are their stock in trade). Black, on the road promoting his new comedy CD "I Am a Wonderful Man," and Showalter are at the Sixth & I Synagogue tomorrow. $20. 8 p.m. 600 I St. NW. Get tickets through Ticketmaster, 202-397-7328, or save the fees at the Sixth & I box office (call 202-408-3100 for hours).
EXHIBIT: Orchid Show Tomorrow marks the return of the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian's annual orchid show, which features hundreds of varieties of the flower, this year in the agreeable climate of the Botanic Garden's Conservatory. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through April 13. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333.
MarylandToday
EXHIBIT: "Digital Sequences" Tonight, head to Montpelier Arts Center for a reception for "Digital Sequences," a show featuring two artists, Chris Jordan and Gail Rebhan, exploring consumer behavior through very different solo exhibits. Jordan's "Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait" breaks down U.S. consumption of items such as cans in pointillist works intended to recall classical pieces. Rebhan photographed her son's bedroom over one summer, tracking his tastes through photographs (and finding he likes pizza and video games). The reception tonight is from 7 to 9. Free. Through Feb. 29. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. 301-953-1993.
TomorrowFOR KIDS: "Lost & Foundling" The latest production at Imagination Stage sounds, well, like a quirky stretch of the imagination: Eric R. Pfeffinger's play begins with a baby discovered at the local discount superstore (between truck mirrors and oil filters) and taken in by its employees, who name her Pryce and set about raising her in economical fashion in the store itself. But when Pryce learns there's something called a lost and found, she decides she must trek there for answers about her real parents (like Dorothy's search for the Wizard, it's about the journey). The play opens tomorrow. $10-$20. 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday; various times weekends through March 2. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. 301-280-1660.
EXHIBIT: "Spirit Voices: Celebrating Black History Month" Gateway's Heliport Gallery honors the contributions of African Americans in this show, celebrated with a reception tomorrow night, of paintings, sculpture and drawings reflecting everything from African heritage to jazz. Artists include painter Emery Lewis, garden designer and sculptor John Sonnier, sculptor-painter Alonzo Davis and photographer Michael Wilderman. The reception tomorrow, featuring music performed by reggae/African-music artist Fakirah, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Through Feb. 29. 8001 Kennett St., Suite 3, Silver Spring. 301-562-1400.
Northern VirginiaToday
EXHIBIT: "Kinetic Image": Art That Really Moves You Target Gallery's latest is a collection of works in one of the most buzzy movements in contemporary art: digital media. The show, which gathers national and international artists, includes time-based videos, a projection that displays popular Google searches and a cavernous paper sculpture that moves when you approach it. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Through Feb. 24. Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. 703-838-4565, Ext. 4.
SundayTHE SCENE: Watch the Super Bowl, With Friends Why have your pals over to gather around your 27-inch television when you can meet up elsewhere, somewhere you are not responsible for cleaning up afterward? The State Theatre hosts its annual Super Bowl bash with food and drink specials, and the New England Patriots totally dominating the New York Giants on a 24-foot screen. Free. Doors at 4, game time at 6. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. 703-237-0300.
MondayON STAGE: "Feels Like a Fire . . . Shut Up in My Bones" Arena Stage's artistic director, Molly Smith, takes on the role of director for this reading of a new work by Marcus Gardley. The story, based on the lyrics of an old spiritual, follows the members of a black church faced with rebuilding after it is burned down in a racial incident. It's part of the Downstairs new-play reading series, now held at the theater's new Crystal City space. 7 p.m. $8. Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington. 202-488-3300.
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