Finding Their Place

We were hardly expecting to arrive at "Personal Landscapes: Contemporary Art From Israel," an exhibition that opened this month at American University Museum, and find . . . landscapes.

No doubt, there are political images in the small collection of photos and sculpture marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel.

But for the most part, it was not the sort of politics we were sure we'd see. Tal Shochat photographs tree after beautiful tree, including one orange tree, bearing fruit against a cheery pink background. We learn it is one symbol of an entire orchard thriving despite neglect; orchard clearance is the political matter here.

Orit Siman Tov photographs "rescue excavations" -- seemingly impromptu dig sites that spring up wherever major construction is about to occur to determine whether the construction would destroy archaeological findings. The artist, in the course of chronicling these temporary sites, found something distinctly "Israeli" about them, in the way they require the cooperation of everyone from architects to antiquities authorities to regular people who come in contact with the spaces.

The works in "Personal Landscapes" are slick, clean, glossy; amusing, even. Like a tourist, the viewer knows that what he or she experiences here must be a superficial view of a nation. The curators set out only to represent modern Israel only the way its artists would do so. And that has its rewards. Who here has ever thought about Israel's development issues? Who expected cheery, crayon-bright homes and olive trees, stately and without a hint of divisiveness? If only.

"Personal Landscapes: Contemporary Art From Israel" is showing with the exhibitions "Willem de Looper," "Photos From the Prague Quadrennial 2007" and "William Christenberry: Site/Possession." Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through May 18. Katzen Arts Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202-885-2787.

Save the Date

EXHIBIT: Artomatic Returns Every time Artomatic springs back up again, it's in a new spot, so those of you who liked the office building location in Crystal City, it's time to get over it. This year, the five-week, nonjuried art and music event will be in NoMa -- that nebulous Northeast Washington neighborhood that is located between the New York Avenue Metro Station and North Capitol Street and extending south to Massachusetts Avenue near Union Station. As always, Artomatic is likely to be quite the surreal party spot, with drinks served on site, music performances and late hours (it'll be open till 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays). Free. May 9-June 15, Capitol Plaza I, First and M streets NE (hint: Parking could be tough, try using Metro). For a full schedule of events and details, visit http://www.artomatic.org.

CONCERT: Thievery Corporation Washington's incredibly popular electronica outfit -- which can sell out any venue around here in a pinch -- was supposed to perform at last weekend's highly touted Earth Day festival on the Mall. But Mother Nature cheated the patient crowd, dumping rain on everyone and forcing the cancellation of the show before Thievery even hit the stage. If you were really looking forward to it, you could always buy tickets for the duo's latest Merriweather Post Pavilion show on June 28, featuring baritone Brazilian Seu Jorge, as well as Ladytron, Federico Aubele and TV on the Radio (the tour is dubbed, fittingly, the Outernational Music Tour). May we suggest getting tickets under the pavilion? $45; lawn, $30. Gates at 4 p.m. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 202-397-7328.

CONCERT: Speaking of Missing: Punch Brothers Nickel Creek fans still smarting over the announcement that the group is no more might find solace in Punch Brothers, a band (with banjo, fiddle and guitar) featuring Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile, with Thile's four-movement suite chronicling divorce, "The Blind Leaving the Blind." (It's on the record "Punch.") The band hits the Birchmere on May 23. $22.50. 7:30 p.m. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.

The District

Today

CONCERT: A Peek at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival The kick-off installment of this annual series is tonight's concert celebrating both the U Street tradition and anniversary of the Duke's April 29, 1899, birth. On the packed bill: the Jam on U All-Stars featuring Bobby Felder, Nasar Abadey and Antonio Parker; the DC Bass Choir; and many, many others. At the show, organizers will also announce the lineup for the festival, which is set for October. $20. 8 p.m. (but it's general admission, so for a good seat get there early). Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202-397-7328, or save fees at the box office, 202-328-6000.

EXHIBIT: "Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture" For the thousands of you who got to see Chris Rock at DAR over the weekend or on Monday, if you arrived early enough you would have caught the amazing slide show that preceded the performance, full of images of artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat and other artists who explore the African American experience. One standout: painter Kehinde Wiley, whose work portrays African American men with hip-hop style as if they were figures from classical paintings. If they caught your eye, you're in luck. You can see the real thing at the National Portrait Gallery, where some of his paintings are in the small show "Recognize!" Free. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 26. National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.