MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
“Abstract Drawings” continues at the Museum of American Art through January 6. Drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, the show features
46 works on paper by artists including
Gene Davis,
Willem de Kooning, and
Man Ray.
Abstract expressionist
Barnett Newman is the latest subject of the
National Gallery’s In the Tower series, which explores artists from the
mid-tenth century to
the present in the East Building’s Tower Gallery. Newman, a
Color Field painter, is known for his use of the “zip,” a distinct
line dividing his work into different spaces. Through February
24.
At the National Museum of African Art,
“African Cosmos: Stellar Arts” brings together 90-plus works revealing African interpretations of the universe and showing how celestial phenomena such
as eclipses, stars, and rainbows have long inspired artists all over the world. Through December 9.
In the National Gallery’s West Building,
“Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst”
compares 29 oil paintings by the 17th-century Dutch artist, known for
his elaborate, detailed style. Through October 14.
Robert Weingarten’s layered images capture the essence of cultural icons—minus their faces. He depicted actor
Dennis Hopper by juxtaposing photos of a Harley Davidson, a girl in a swimsuit, and an LA street.
“Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten” at the National Museum of American History features 16 “portraits” of people including
Chuck Close and
Sandra Day O’Connor. Through October 14.
“Directions: Antonio Rovaldi” opens at the Hirshhorn July 6 and features a large-scale video projection of Italian baseball player
Fabio Betto smashing tchotchkes with pitches. Yes, really.
And it isn’t, strictly speaking, a show, but it’s worth noting that you can play mini golf in the
National Building Museum through the rest of
the summer. This is no average putt-putt course: The 12 different holes
have been custom-designed by institutions
such as the American Society of Landscape Architects, DAVIS
Construction, and Hanley Wood. $5 per round per person, or $3
with museum admission.
GALLERY SHOWS
Pepco’s Edison Place Art Gallery presents
“Sculpture Now 2012,” an exhibition of contemporary sculpture curated by the Corcoran’s
Sarah Newman. Through July 13.
Robert Brown Gallery is currently celebrating its 30th
anniversary with an exhibition revealing work from the past three
decades.
The show includes prints by
Mel Bochner and a mixed-media work by
Deborah Bell. Through July 14.
Through July 28, International Visions hosts
“Passages,” an exhibition of photographs by
Anthony Barboza showcasing his travels across Africa.
Through July 29, Touchstone presents
“A 3D Collage: The Adventure” by
David Alfuth, which riffs on old engravings and modern techniques.
Also through July 29, catch
“Suzanne: Works from the 2012-13 VCUarts Sculpture MFA Graduate Class” at Artisphere.
“Rob McDonald: Native Ground” continues at
Athenaeum through August 5, presenting photographic landscapes and
portraits of the Deep South by the Virginia-based
artist.
“Mexico: Expected/Unexpected” at the Katzen
Arts Center is a joint project with the Mexican Cultural Institute, and
features a broad swath of work by contemporary
Mexican artists as well as others who’ve been inspired by the
country. Through August 12.
Hillyer Art Space presents a collaborative exhibition between two artists.
“Paint on Known” features photography-inspired paintings by Dutch native
Chajana DenHarder and Jamaica-born
Deborah Anzinger, both of whom live in Washington. July 6 through 28.
Local married couple
Dana Ellyn and
Matt Sesow showcase some of their satirical, politically inspired paintings at the Fridge DC in
“Stocking the Fridge.” July 7 through 29.
Opening July 20 at Flashpoint is
“Hana Kim & Shana Kim: Atmospheric Front.” The show explores architecture and interactive media through an installation that features woven fabrics, machinery, and
sound and light projections. Through August 18.
ART EVENTS
The
Smithsonian Folklife Festival continues
through July 8 on the Mall. This year’s themes are Campus and Community,
celebrating the 150th anniversary of land-grant
universities and the Department of Agriculture; Citified,
focused on creativity east of the Anacostia River; and Creativity
and Crisis, in honor of the AIDS Memorial Quilt’s 25th
anniversary.
Phillips After Five returns July 5, this time with a British-themed event dedicated to the museum’s
Antony Gormley show.
Africa Underground, the National Museum of African Art’s regular music and art event, returns July 13, with entertainment by
DJ T and
Eme & Heteru. Tickets aren’t available at the door, but you can buy them online.
The
Bethesda Art Walk returns July 13, with the Bethesda Artist Market also coming to Norfolk Avenue July 14.
July 21, the National Gallery presents a screening of films by experimental filmmaker
Mark Street.
July 25 and 26 at the Corcoran, the museum hosts
“Voices of Haiti: A Post-Quake Odyssey in Verse,” a poetry, photography, and music event featuring
Dawes,
Kevin Simmonds,
Andre Lambertson, and more.
