From ArtSee. Email contact[AT]artseedc.com and follow ArtSee @ArtSeeinDC on Twitter.
Frank Barbara. (Courtesy of Smith Center)
Perhaps no other DC enterprise knows this supreme truth better than Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, which opens its new exhibition, “Alchemical Vessels,” this Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
An inspiring collection of ceramic vessels by 125 artists were hand-selected by a team of 16 guest curators. Each unique bowl has the capacity to hold more than additional objects.
Chosen for their symbolic ability to create space where healing can take place, these bowls represent the therapeutic work performed within the greater space between the Smith Center’s walls.
“Alchemical Vessels” encourages gallery visitors to engage in an important dialogue about healing and transformation through the arts, by displaying bowls made in the visage of each artist’s personal aesthetic and medium. Collectively, the bowls draw inspiration from ideas about holding, open communities, circles of care, sacred spaces, nourishment, and alchemical vessels.
The Details
- What: “Alchemical Vessels” opening reception
- When: Friday, April 26, 7 to 9 pm
- Where: Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW
Bringing the Art in DC to You – Roxanne Goldberg
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From Eliza French. Follow her on Twitter @elizaenbref; email her at eliza[AT]borderstan.com.
Local nonprofit Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is launching its Art Advisory service this month. “Portfolio,” an exhibit pegged to the launch and featuring all of the artists participating in the service, will open at the Center’s Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, on Friday, September 14.
Key.Yellow (2011) by Joan Belmar. (Image Courtesy of Smith Center)
The service draws on the principles of Evidence-Based Design, which has found that a patients’ environment can impact the healing process. The idea to create Art Advisory evolved from Smith Center’s Artist-in-Resident program.
Through this program, artists engaged more than 4,000 patients in area hospitals, including Howard University Hospital and Walter Reed Military Medical Center, with their writing, music and visual art. The patients reaped short-term benefits from the artistic therapy, and the Center sought to a more permanent method of improving patient environments in these hospitals.
The Smith Center put out a national call for artists to participate in the Art Advisory more than a year ago. From among over 250 artists who responded to the call, Smith Center chose 20 artists. According to Brooke Seidelman, Director of Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, these artist’s works hold the capacity to “inspire, uplift and offer viewers a healing escape” and challenge the staid notions of trite “hospital art.”
Seidelman will serve as the Art Advisory’s primary consultant, working alongside Executive Director Shanti Norris to provide consulting expertise to clients. Both have extensive experience curating collections and have previously created a collection for Howard Hospital’s Cancer Center.
As for who the clients will be, the service will cater to individual private collectors, corporations, healthcare organizations and hospitals. The group of participating artists was deliberately selected for variety in artistic approach, style, and medium that will accommodates clients’ unique needs and aesthetic preference. Clients will be able to commission works from the artists and also choose from among their existing works.
By channeling 70 percent of the Art Advisory’s proceeds back into the Center’s programs, the nonprofit will also generate a new source of funding for its many initiatives to help cancer patients. Right now, it is reliant on grants and individual and corporate donations, which have all been harder to come by during the recession. Seidelman noted that the Center is “now particularly hopeful that by diversifying our financial sources the Advisory service will offer greater financial support to our vital cancer programs.”
“Portfolio” will run from Friday, September 14 until October 27. Visit Smith Center at 1632 U Street, NW for the opening reception on Friday from 7 to 9 pm, or during gallery hours (Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) to see the exhibit and learn more about the new Art Advisory service.
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Click above to see the photos: MidCity Dog Days Kick-Off Party at Joan Hisaoka Gallery. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
The MidCity Dog Days celebration kicked-off Tuesday evening with a party at the Joan Hisaoka Art Gallery (1632 U Street NW).
Businesses and retailers participating in this weekend’s Dog Days Sidewalk Festival attended the bash and shared wine and appetizers provided by Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Cork Wine Bar and Cork Market, with the event’s organizers.
The MidCity Dog Days Sidewalk Festival will take place Saturday, August 4th and Sunday, August 5th on 14th Street NW (between P Street and Florida Avenue) and U Street NW (between 9th Street and 17th Street). Times for the Festival are 9 am to 8 pm on Saturday, August 4 and 10 am to 7 pm on Sunday, August 5. For a list of the Festival’s featured events, see our Dog Days preview and visit the Dog Days website.
Borderstan.com is a proud sponsor of the MidCity Dog Days Sidewalk Festival. For more information on the event and participating businesses, visit the Dog Days website or email [email protected]; and stay tuned to Borderstan.com for more information on specific Dog Days events.
We’ll see you this weekend!
Peter e Harpers and Joren A. Lindholm at harmon art lab on 14th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos).
From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos on Picplz and at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos.
There is plenty to see this weekend at the local galleries. Grab your coat and get ready to start your holidays with a nice relaxing stroll to see some wonderful art.
Remember: Art is a wonderful Christmas-Holiday gift! A number of the galleries have some wonderful pieces that are very reasonably priced and perfect for someone-special-in-your-life. Contact the galleries ahead of time to see what they carry in your price range or take a stroll the neighborhood and pop in. Full contact information below.
Don’t Miss
At harmon art lab, 1716 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor, you should not miss the work of Peter e Harpers and Joren A. Lindholm: “Peter e Harper’s work may seem easy at first. Bold, brave color. Roughly drawn grids. Birds heavy in flight. Planes falling toward the earth. If you stop there, you will not be disappointed. But the work is more complex than that. Taken in its totality, Harper’s installation at harmon art lab is about the complexity of life. Joren A. Lindholm’s project space installation is a fragmention of our collective experience. He examines our place in the world, the heirarchic structures that keep us rooted there, and our own collusion in the process.” (harmon art lab)
Closing Exhibitions this Weekend
- Closes Saturday, December 17 at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery: Tom Wolff’s “U Street Portrait Project”.
Get more details on the 12 galleries in the Logan-Shaw-U Street area below.
Adamson Gallery at 1515 14th Street NW
- Check back for upcoming exhibitions.
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday, noon to 5 pm.
Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th Street NW
- “One Foot In America: The Artwork of Eugeen Van Mieghem” runs through December 30.
- Overview: “Belgian artist Eugeen Van Mieghem (1875-1930) found inspiration in the men and women, many of them Jews, waiting at the Antwerp docks to board ships to take them to America. One Foot in America, opening September 22, features his works and creates a stunning visual record of those leaving behind one life as they search for a better life in a far away, unknown place.” (Bronfman Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 10 am to 10 pm; Friday, 10 am to 4 p.m.
[email protected], 1830 14th Street NW
- Overview: [email protected] is a new addition to the Mid City gallery lineup from artist Regine Miele. Current works on display are Miele’s paintings.
- Next solo exhibition begins February 7 and runs to March 30 with photographer Al Wildey.
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.
Curator’s Office at 1515 14th Street NW
- “Breck Omar Brunson: Churchin” closes December 22.
- Overview: “The exhibition includes collage, sculpture, video and sound. Using found material and a raw, urban and quirky aesthetic, Brunson peels away the artifacts of the everyday world to find the mystery that fuels his artistic practice.”
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
gallery plan b at 1530 14th Street NW
- “Year-End Group Show” runs through Thursday, December 22.
- Opening Reception Saturday, December 3, 6 to 8 pm.
- Overview: “Featuring the work of 40+ artists and preview of our 2012 exhibition schedule.” (gallery plan b)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7 pm; Sunday, 1 to 5 pm
Hamiltonian Gallery at 1353 U Street NW
- “Selin Balci and Ryan Hoover” runs through January 22.
- Overview: “Although Balci and Hoover implement distinct artistic practices, both artists present new works of precisely controlled media, imbued with their ruminations on the structures of interpersonal relationships, international affairs, and geography.” (Hamiltonian Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
harmon art lab, 1716 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor
- Works by artists Peter e Harper and Joren A. Lindholm runs through January 13.
- Overview: “Peter e Harper’s work may seem easy at first. Bold, brave color. Roughly drawn grids. Birds heavy in flight. Planes falling toward the earth. If you stop there, you will not be disappointed. But the work is more complex than that. Taken in its totality, Harper’s installation at harmon art lab is about the complexity of life. Joren A. Lindholm’s project space installation is a fragmention of our collective experience. He examines our place in the world, the heirarchic structures that keep us rooted there, and our own collusion in the process.” (harmon art lab)
- Gallery Hours: Call for an appointment; gallery staff is in the building Monday through Friday during business hours.
Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW
- Tom Wolff’s “U Street Portrait Project” runs through December 17.
- Overview: “Nationally recognized photographer Tom Wolff is best known for his published work in the Washington Post Magazine, House & Garden, Garden Design, Smithsonian Magazine, and New York Times Magazine. This fall he focuses closer to home with his most recent series, ‘U Street Portrait Project,’ capturing the local business owners, residents, and artists that together make DC’s U Street Corridor a rich and diverse cultural center.” (Joan Hisaoka Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday 11 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm; and by appointment.
Lamont Bishop Gallery at 1314 9th Street NW
- “FLYY ON THE WALL Exhibition and Pop up Shoppe”, Opened December 10, 7 to 11 pm.
- Overview:“Flyy on the wall is an exhibition that will feature the works of Rakiyt Zakari a high end street wear designer with the eye of a tailor, known for creating 3-d graphic designs with a surgeons precision and attention to detail, think Basquiat x Jeremy Scott. Flyy on the wall also will encompass The Original David pop up shoppe, their first ever experiential retail event!.” (Lamont Bishop Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 7 pm; Sundays by appointment only.
Long View Gallery at 1234 9th Street NW
- Amy Genser’s “Coiled Terrain” runs through December 11.
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday, noon to 5 pm.
Project 4 Gallery at 1353 U Street NW
- “In Season”, runs through December 23.
- Overview: “In Season will feature a variety of media and showcase works by Margaret Boozer, Beau Chamberlain, Christine Gray, Lisa Kellner, Tricia Keightley, Thomas Müller, Ellington Robinson, Foon Sham, Jill Townsley, and Paul Villinski.” (Project 4 Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
Transformer Gallery at 1404 P Street NW
- 9th Annual DC Artist Solo Exhibition runs through January 28.
- Overview: “9th Annual DC Artist Solo Exhibition presents the work of Lily deSaussure in a site-specific installation of hand-embroidered images originating from snapshots of family, close friends and lovers, central to this autobiographical body of work.” (Transformer)
- Gallery Hours: Check website.
Tom Wolff’s U Street Project at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gelley, 1632 U Street NW.
Who and What: Tom Wolff’s U Street Portrait Project: Artist Talk, Photo Crit, and Community Potluck
When: Saturday, November 19, 4:30pm
Where: Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW
Details: “Tom will share details on his photographic process and stories about his experience capturing U Street. The conversation will then move into a casual photo critique, and photographers of all levels are invited to bring 1-2 prints for review.
Non-photographers are also welcome to join the discussion and bring questions of their own. And all the while this creative conversation will take place around a tasty potluck — feel free to bring your favorite treats and snacks!” The exhibition runs through December 17.
In Dupont Circle: Painter and mixed media artist Angela White has been in her 17th Street studio for 12 years. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Cecile Oreste of danceDC. You can follow her on Twitter @dance_DC.
Artists are inspired by many aspects of their lives, and it’s no different for Dupont Circle painter Angela White. Her paintings and mixed media works are not only physically layered, but also emotionally layered with her personal experiences.
According to White, “the concept of the many layers of our life experiences forming our physical, spiritual and emotional identity lends itself to creating and adding layers of visual depth and density in my art work.”
White’s extensive art education has no doubt played a role in her development as an artist. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Painting and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, she holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with a thesis painting exhibit from the University of Maryland. Additional inspiration comes from her interest in other forms of art such as music and dance. Both of these hobbies convey a strong sense of movement, which is a common thread in her work.
One of the strongest influences in White’s art work is her love of travel and a childhood spent living in Europe. Her collection is filled with images of the cliffs of Ireland, the streets of Paris and the piazzas of Florence. As a result, travel photography has become very important to her and she often uses this tool as a basis for her paintings.
When asked about the neighborhood, White admits she’s a big fan. “A friend told me about the available studio in Dupont Circle about 12 years ago and I’ve been working there ever since,” she said. “I enjoy many of the excellent restaurants, wine bars and theatre venues in the area.” She is also a supporter of the Brookland area, having previously exhibited at the Wohlfarth Gallery and Washington Works on Paper.
If you’re interested in seeing White’s work in person, three of her paintings are currently on exhibit at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street NW. At the present time, she is mostly an encaustic painter, but these particular works, “Inner Light,” “Things Unseen” and “Untitled,” are body prints. They are on display until October 22. You can also schedule an appointment to view her work at her 17th Street NW studio.
Angela White with her work at her 17th Street studio. (Luis Gomez Photos)
“VESSEL” opened September 9 at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at 1632 U Street NW. the gallery reopened after a major renovation and expansion of the space. “VESSEL” is part of The 9/11 Arts Project. See the story in the Arts & Entertainment section for more information. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Ashley Lusk. Check out Ashley’s blog Metropoetrylis and find her on Twitter at @arlusk.
Unless you decided to head out of town this weekend, it was hard to miss the somber cloud that settled over the city as residents reflected on the September 11, 2011, attacks on New York and DC. Remarkably, the heavens cast mercy on bedraggled Washingtonians with an audacious blue sky and temperatures hovering around 82 degrees.
A Quiet Memorial
As President Obama recited Psalm 46 at Ground Zero in New York City, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gathered at the Pentagon to pay homage to those killed when American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The digital divide seemed to evaporate as masses rushed to Facebook and Twitter to share their memories in a reflection of national grief.
A Good Day for a Run
Due to the torrential downpour we saw last week, the Nation’s Triathlon was officially down one event as the swimming leg of the race was dropped. Not to be deterred, thousands of triathletes participated in Sunday’s event where they completed a 40K bike ride and 10k run.
7th and Rhode Island NW Parcel Up For Sale
The Housing Complex blog at Washington City Paper reported last week that the parcel of land at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW is back on the market. The city had originally planned to build affordable housing at the site, but those plans were scrapped and the land will go out for bids from private developers.
Drop It Like It’s Not
On Saturday Washington City Paper reported that the charges made by Redskin’s owner Dan Snyder against the paper and its reporter Dave McKenna had been dropped. Earlier this year Snyder sued the paper for allegations of antisemitism and potentially libelous statements. WCP issued a statement saying, “Now we’re eager to get back to our business of covering the city’s politics and culture — including its sports culture — without this distraction.”
Speaking of Football…
Sunday marked the return of the NFL football season with game and drink specials all over town. The Washington Redskins played against the New York Giants Sunday night, leading the game event with a special memorial to the firefighters of September 11 — and even came away with a 28-14 win.. In addition to a wax display from Madame Tussuad wax museum, game day fans received American flags upon entrance, according to The Washington Post. Did anyone see any of the players in league-sanctioned memorial gear?
“Recycle” by Jenny Freestone is part of the “VESSEL” Exhibition opening at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street. (Image courtesy of gallery)
From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos on Picplz or at One Photograph A Day. Email him at [email protected]
Exhibitions Opening This Weekend
“VESSEL” opens Friday, September 9 with a 7 pm reception at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW. The exhibit is part of the The 9/11 Arts Project with works by Emily Biondo, Alonzo Davis, Jenny Freestone, Pat Goslee, Ani Kasten, MJ Kavian, Madeleine Keesing, Rachel Rotenberg, Angela White and Millicent Young.
Tonight’s reception will also feature a dance performance by Anthony Gongora and Giselle Ruzany of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, based on Collision Course with live music by Steve Hilmy. Come check out the gallery’s newly revamped space.
“Paintings by Kevin H. Adams” opens at gallery plan b, 1530 14th Street NW with a reception on Saturday, September 10.
“elsewhere” opens at Curator’s Office, 1515 14th Street NW on Friday, September 9.
“Ilya & Emilia KABAKOV” opens Saturday, September 10, at Hemphill, 1515 14th Street NW.
Exhibitions Closing in Borderstan
“Susan Weil and Jose Bentancourt: Blueprints” wraps up on Sunday at Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th Street NW: “For the past ten years Susan Weil and José Betancourt have worked closely together to develop ways of printing and presenting a body of artwork based on the Cyanotype, also known as the photographic ‘Blueprint.’ Their collaborative works range from personal and autobiographical to formal constructions.” (Bronfman Gallery)
“Introducing the 2011 Hamiltonian Fellows” closes Saturday at Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U Street NW, Suite 101,: “Hamiltonian Gallery is currently showing an introductory group exhibition of these five new Fellows. Each artist will be displaying the work with which they were accepted..”
The Demont “Peekaso” Pinder Exhibition closes this Saturday at the Lamont Bishop Gallery, 1314 9th Street NW: “The creator and resident on-stage artist for Raheem DeVaughn, ‘Peekaso’ creates unique paintings based on prominent figures in the Hip Hop and urban community.”
Get more details below on the 12 galleries in the Logan-Shaw-U Street area.
Adamson Gallery at 1515 14th Street NW
- “To the Ends of the Earth” opens Saturday, September 17, with a reception at 6:30 pm.
- Overview: “Adamson Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of its Fall 2011 program with a group exhibition entitled “To the Ends of the Earth,” which explores the relationship between humans and the natural environment. The exhibition takes its title from the enormous lengths that photographers Camille Seaman, Robert Polidori, Edward Burtynsky, and Alfredo De Stéfano have gone to record the changing natural environment. Through their extensive travels, these artists have been able to document these developments, producing images that are both beautiful and frightening; testimony to human impact on nature, and vice versa.” (Adamson)
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday, noon to 5 pm.
Curator’s Office at 1515 14th Street NW
- “elsewhere” opens September 9 and runs to October 22.
- Overview: “Curator’s Office announces the opening of its fall season with an exhibition of sculpture and new works on paper by New York, Los Angeles, and DC-based artists Joseph Dumbacher and John Dumbacher. The Dumbachers will also be debuting a public sculpture at their DC studio’s terrace one block from the gallery.” (Curator’s Office)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
gallery plan b at 1530 14th Street NW
- “Paintings by Kevin H. Adams” opens September 9 and runs to October 16. Opening reception with the artist Saturday, September 10, 6 to 8 pm.
- Overview: “A collection of recent work in his third solo show at plan b. Kevin creates welcoming, calming images that feel familiar. His paintings are timeless, earnest, and honest, and bring to mind places in which we’d love to linger indefinitely. This body of work shows an emphasis on architecture with landscape.”
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7 pm; Sunday, 1 to 5 pm
Hamiltonian Gallery at 1353 U Street NW
- “Introducing the 2011 Hamiltonian Fellows” closes September 10.
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
Hemphill Fine Arts at 1515 14th Street NW
- “Ilya & Emilia KABAKOV” September 10 to October 29.
- Overview: “Included in the exhibition are a scale model and drawings of “The Large House of Humanity,” 1998, an unrealized project designed for the bank of the Potomac River in Washington DC. The proposed monument has a perimeter of approximately 70 x 50 meters and a height commensurate with the Washington Monument. The white metal construction forms the contours of a traditional American home with a mansard roof. From a distance this gigantic “house” appears like a white mirage against the blue sky. Suspended from the ceiling inside the house are wire letters that read: “Since home we have but one, this earth we live upon. With our home in constant motion we are striving toward the stars.”
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW
- “Vessel” opens as part of The 9/11 Arts Project on September 9 and runs through October 22.
- Opening Reception: September 9 from 7 to 9 pm.
- Overview: “The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery will bring together local artists to create a place of “holding.” By combining abstract works to evoke a sacred space or vessel the gallery will serve as a safe space where open dialogue around the trauma of 9/11 and personal traumas may be addressed. Hence selected works will not be a re-telling of 9/11, but rather express an effort to move beyond and communicate that ‘healing is possible’ for everyone and that the arts are a powerful tool in that journey. The opening will also feature a dance performance by Anthony Gongora and Giselle Ruzany of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, based on Collision Course with live music by Steve Hilmy.” (Joan Hisaoka Gallery)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday 11 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm; and by appointment.
Lamont Bishop Gallery at 1314 9th Street NW
- “Demont ‘Peekaso’ Pinder Exhibition” closes September 10.
- Overview: “Demont ‘Peekaso’ Pinder announces the launch of his new website and exhibition showing his finest works. The creator and resident on-stage artist for Raheem DeVaughn, ‘Peekaso’ creates unique paintings based on prominent figures in the Hip Hop and urban community.” (Lamont Bishop)
- Gallery Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 7 pm. Sundays by appointment only.
Long View Gallery at 1234 9th Street NW
- “Containment and Diversion” works by Thomas Burkett runs to October 2.
- Overview: Features “Approximately 15 mixed media works on paper by Washington-based artist Thomas Burkett. He explores topics headlining news stories around the country.” (Long View)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday, noon to 5 pm.
Project 4 Gallery at 1353 U Street NW
- “New Work by Ellington Robinson” opens September 9 and runs through October 15.
- Overview: “Project 4 is proud to open the 2011 fall season with a solo exhibition featuring new work by DC artist, Ellington Robinson.” (Project 4)
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
Transformer Gallery at 1404 P Street NW
- transformers: the next generation opens September 17 and runs through October 22.
- Opening Reception: Saturday, September 17, 6 to 8 pm.
- Overview: transformers: the next generation “features new works by five recent graduates of the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s class of 2011: Forest Allread, Pavlos Karalis, Sarah Robbins, Aris Slater, and Victoria Shaheen.” (transformer)
- Gallery Hours: Check website.
Sheep Jones exhibit at gallery plan b closes Sunday. (Sheep Jones courtesy gallery plan b)
You can still view Matthew Black’s “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large” at The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street NW through Saturday — the exhibit has been extended! Cecile Oreste has the story about Black’s first solo show.
It’s also the closing weekend for Sheep Jones’ exhibition at gallery plan b.
Listings for exhibitions at Bronfman Gallery, Curator’s Office, Hamiltonian Gallery, Hemphill Fine Arts, Irvine Contemporary, Long View Gallery, Project 4 and Transformer Gallery are below.
| Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery DC Jewish Community Center 1529 16th St. NW 202.518.9400 |
Miriam Morsel Nathan “Memory of a time I did not know…” Through Dec. 17 Sunday-Thursday 10 am-10 pm Friday 10 am-4 pm |
| Curator’s Office 1515 14th St. NW 202.387.1008 |
Victoria F. Gaitan & Cecilia Paredes “Foto Baroque” Through Jan. 8 Wednesday-Saturday 12 pm-6 pm |
| gallery plan b 1530 14th St. NW 202.234.2711 |
Sheep Jones Through Nov. 21 Wednesday-Saturday 12 pm-7 pm Sunday 1 pm-5 pm |
| Hamiltonian Gallery 1353 U St. NW 202.332.1116 |
Elena Volkova, “Proofs” Renee Van Der Stelt, “Recordings” Through Dec. 4 Tuesday-Saturday 12 pm-6 pm |
| Hemphill Fine Arts 1515 14th St. NW 202.234.5601 |
Julie Wolfe Through Dec. 23 Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm |
| Irvine Contemporary 1412 14th Street NW 202.332.8767 |
Shepard Fairey, Jose Farla, Swoon, Romon Yang (Rostarr) “Street/Studio 2.0” Through Dec. 18 Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm |
| Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts 1632 U St. NW 202.483.8600 |
Matthew Black, “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large” Through Nov. 20 Wednesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm Saturday 11 am-3 pm |
| Long View Gallery 1234 9th St. NW 202.232.4788 |
Scott Brooks “We the People” Through Nov. 28 Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm Sunday 12 pm-5 pm |
| Project 4 Gallery 1353 U St. NW 202.232.4340 |
Thomas Muller “Neither Here Nor There” Through Nov. 27 Wednesday-Saturday 12 pm-6 pm |
| Transformer Gallery 1404 P St. NW 202.483.1102 |
Tang “Freedom & Its Owner” Through Dec. 4 Wednesday-Saturday 1 pm-7 pm |
Listings for 10 galleries in the Logan-U Street area. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Through Saturday, you can view Matthew Black’s “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large” at The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street NW. The gallery has extended its hours for FotoWeek DC and Cecile Oreste has the story about Black’s first solo show.
There are only a couple of more weeks to see Scott Brooks’ “We the People” at Long View Gallery and Thomas Muller’s “Neither Here Nor There” at Project 4. Exhibitions at Bronfman Gallery, Curator’s Office, gallery plan b, Hamiltonian Gallery, Hemphill Fine Arts, Irvine Contemporary and Transformer Gallery are below the fold.
FotoWeek DC 2010: Photographer Matthew Black at the Joan Hisaoka Gallery, 1632 U Street NW. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Nov. 13. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Cecile Oreste at danceDC
It’s easy to make assumptions about a group of people based on their appearance, but what happens when you actually get to know them? In 2007 local photographer Matthew Black first caught a glimpse of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Seattle. After many months of building a trusting relationship with the Sisters, he discovered that there is more than meets the eye.
Matthew Black’s photographic series “The Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Write Large,” is on display through Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street NW. It is part of his first solo show and FotoWeek DC. Black will be at the gallery on Friday, 5 to 7 pm.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a non-profit organization comprised of men and women dedicated to community service. Various chapters continue to carry out the mission of the original group based in San Francisco.
Committed to Charitable Causes
Although their outward appearance suggests they are a fringe group of face painted characters poking fun of a conservative institution, their actions show they are a serious and committed social activist organization. The Seattle Sisters have raised more than $50,000 annually from activities in support of local charities and non-profits.
“Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” by photographer Matthew Black. (Courtesy Matthew Black)
While Black was living in Seattle, he had his first encounter with the Sisters. He admits that the initial attraction to the Sisters was completely superficial. “They are what I’m not,” he said. This intrigue led to friendship, friendship led to understanding, and deeper knowledge of the organization triggered Black’s desire to tell the Sisters’ story through his photography.
Black chose to take studio portraits of the Sisters in both their private and public personas to show that there is more to the Sisters than just their face paint and costumes. Upon seeing a plain-clothes portrait next to the Sister portrait, it’s hard not to wonder which identity is the real one.
Portraits Trigger Self Reflection
In addition, there is an element of self-reflection when looking at the pair of portraits. Black started to wonder which of his identities was his true self.
“I started asking myself, ‘Who am I?’ Am I the husband? The guy at the office? The photographer?” Black said. He hopes the exhibition will prompt the same self discovery in people who view the portraits.
According to Black, the large size of the portraits was very much intentional. “They are larger than life people so I wanted the prints to be bigger than usual,” he said. He also wanted to show the small details that are often airbrushed out of magazine covers. In particular, he talked about wanting to show the whiskers of the men while they were wearing makeup.
Matthew Black (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Consultant to Photographer
Black was not always a photographer telling stories through his pictures. Prior to shifting his focus to photography, he worked as a consultant for nearly three decades.
“About seven or eight years ago, that kind of work stopped energizing me,” he said. For the first time, he invested in himself and decided to take a one-week photography workshop.
“It was a powerful week of discovery. It opened a new door, a possibility of doing something different. That was so pivotal,” he said. “It’s exciting to be on the learning curve again. I will always be learning my craft.”
Black hopes to eventually share the story of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in other major markets including Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago. He also is looking into pitching an idea for a book based on the photographs. According to Black, “I’ve taken this on as a mission, a way of using the camera as an agent of change.”
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At gallery plan b: Gail Vollrath’s “Charmed.” (Courtesty gallery plan b)
Sunday is the last day to catch “Relative: Recent Paintings and Drawings” with works by Chad Andrews and Gail Vollrath” at gallery plan b, 1515 14th St. NW. Hours are in the listing below the fold.
The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U Street has a new exhibit opening next weekend, Oct. 15: “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large.” Reception is at 6:30 pm.
Below the fold: listings for these galleries plus Irvine Contemporary, Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery (DC Jewish Community Center), Curator’s Office, Project 4 Gallery, Transformer Gallery, Hamiltonian Gallery and Long View Gallery.
The The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery is hosting an artist reception tonight for its “Scents & Medical Sensibility” exhibit. Time is 6 to 8 p.m. at 1632 U Street NW. The exhibit runs through May 3.
What’s the scope of the exhibit?
Have you ever pondered how the olfactory sense affects visual perception, or how a scent can evoke a dormant childhood memory? In this unconventional exhibition international curator, art critic and clinical allergist, Kóan Jeff Baysa, MD, asks artists and fragrance researchers to explore how the physical self experiences and knows the world through the sense of smell. Some artists, using aromatic oils and fragrances, transform the traditional gallery into an olfactory lab; others use visuals to invoke olfactory stimuli. Visitors will experience the connection between physical health and visual, gustatory, and olfactory aesthetics.
Exhibiting artists are Peter Hopkins, Mathias Kessler, Josee Lepage, Anne McClain, Gayil Nalls, Carrie Paterson, Jiayi Young, Shih-Wen Young and Tobias Wong.
