Artomatic: A Universe Unto Itself
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Artomatic: A Universe Unto Itself
It is now one week into Artomatic, the visual art/film/dance/music mega-show that will continue in Northeast Washington for four more weeks -- day, night and into the early morning hours, whether there are thousands of people in the building or five (and there are certainly times when there will be five).
Perhaps you are wondering whether you should go. We checked out Artomatic a few times during the course of the past week -- late on opening night a week ago, about 10 p.m. the second night and as soon as it opened Wednesday (it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays) -- because the experience can differ wildly each year, each day and each hour.
What we have learned is that it's best if you think of Artomatic not as an art gallery or an art show, though there are 10 floors of performance stages, paintings, mosaics, photographs and installations, ranging from the amateur to the commercial (lounges sponsored by stores, which, yes, seem awfully out of place).
Think of it instead as running away to join a commune. Because Artomatic is its own universe. It is home rule.
When we arrived at 12:50 a.m. opening night, the fire alarm was blaring, but hey, it was barely audible above the sound of a post-metal band playing in front of a crowd of about a hundred kids dressed like they were on "The Hills." Firefighters milled by, but no one seemed to be moving, including the security guard. The next band was getting ready to go on. It was lunacy, and it was kind of thrilling. (This was the complete inverse of our visit early Wednesday evening about 5:30, when volunteers were still setting up, there was no music, not many people, and no performances were scheduled for at least another hour.)
Our next visit, last Saturday night about 10:30, was the most illuminating. That's when we discovered how much of a self-contained little world Artomatic is.
It has a comfy movie house (ninth floor). Red-walled tattoo parlor (take the elevator to 12). Bar (Floor 11, and hurry!). Massive DJ room (perfect for dancing, always thumping and almost empty every time we visited) and main stage for bands on the first floor. A West Elm lounge (huh?). On Friday and Saturday, there is a healthy-food vendor outside hawking tacos, sparkling water and salads. (How communal is it? We were offered a job working the cart.)
No one checks your ID unless you're buying a drink (which, yes, you can do at Artomatic, till midnight, anyway). There is no cover. Just breeze right in. It really is your world to explore.
Artomatic is free. It's open noon-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon-10 p.m. Sundays, and 5-10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. through June 15. Capitol Plaza I, First and M streets NE. For a full schedule of events and details, visit http:/
Save the Date
CONCERT Another Surprise at the Club: The Breeders We loved this band for its spare, infinitely listenable record "Pod," which came out, oh, like 18 years ago. (Don't believe us? Give "Iris" one listen.) The newest incarnation of the Breeders -- Kim and Kelley Deal, Jose Medeles and Mando Lopez -- has put out "Mountain Battles," their first record in six years (what we've heard, we don't exactly love), released last month. And now the Breeders will drop in at the 9:30 club for a show next month, and we're as excited about the show as we were for Polvo, Dinosaur Jr. and all the other 1990s reunions that have come this way. $25. June 11 at 7:30 p.m. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.
