Social Scene

Georgetowner • September 12, 2013

Regrettably, there are always going to be more museum exhibitions than any one patron can really keep up with. This month, however, our city is overflowing with visual art. From contemporary multicultural work to 17th-century Japanese paintings, and from Georges Braque to Southeast Asian textiles, there is a dazzling variety of gorgeous, historic and important museum exhibitions opening around us. Here are some of this month’s highlights.

The Phillips Collection
Georges Braque and the Cubist Still Life, 1928 – 1945
June 8 – Sept. 1
This exhibition is the first in-depth study of still life in Georges Braque’s (1882–1963) career framed within the historical and political context of 1928 to 1945. The show charts Braque’s work in this genre from intimate interior scenes of the late 1920s that he made alongside Picasso, to vibrant large-scale canvases of the 1930s, and finally to darker and more personal interpretations of daily life in the 1940s. There is not a more suitable museum for this exhibit in Washington, as The Phillips Collection founder Duncan Phillips played a pioneering role in introducing European modernists like Braque to American audiences. In his lifetime, Phillips acquired many works by Braque and presented his first U.S. retrospective in 1939. www.PhillipsCollection.org

Textile Museum
Out of Southeast Asia: Art That Sustains
Through Oct. 13
Southeast Asian textiles first served as markers of ethnic identity, distinguishing neighboring communities by pattern, color, and technique. While commercial production now challenges these practices, the artistic wealth of these several hundred groups continues to inspire artists from around the world. This exhibition explores historical textile artworks—including batiks from Indonesia and brocades and ikats from Laos—alongside the work of four contemporary textile artists and designers: batik artists Nia Fliam, Agus Ismoyo and Vernal Bogren Swift, and weaver Carol Cassidy. All of their works originate in Southeast Asian concepts, realized in certain design elements, technical details, and philosophical underpinnings. Out of Southeast Asia demonstrates how contemporary artists are preserving the traditional arts even as they interpret them in new and innovative ways. www.TextileMuseum.org

Art Museum of the Americas
Fusion: Tracing Asian Migration to the Americas
June 13 – Sept. 15
The AMA’s permanent collection is one of the most vital sources of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States. The work on display in this exhibition generates a dialogue about cultural diversity by exploring the migration of artists or their families to the Americas from Asia during the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. By addressing the multiple layers of cultural exchange, this exhibition aims to enhance understanding of the complex nature of modern Latin American and Caribbean societies, and to illuminate the social and cultural contributions that this multiculturalism has generated. www.Museum.oas.org

Freer | Sackler
Sylvan Sounds: Freer, Dewing and Japan
Through May 18, 2014
Museum founder Charles Lang Freer’s taste for Japanese art grew out of his affection for American tonalist paintings, notably the artist Thomas Dewing (1851–1938). This intimate exhibition illuminates this connection by juxtaposing Dewing’s landscapes with Japanese works that Freer acquired in the late 1890s, just after his first tour of Asia. Freer’s idealized notions of “old Japan” paralleled the nostalgic, pastoral aestheticism of Dewing’s atmospheric landscapes. On view are Japanese Edo-period artworks alongside Dewing’s paintings, including the exhibition’s namesake and one of Dewing’s unparalleled early American masterpieces, The Four Sylvan Sounds. www.Asia.si.edu

National Museum of Women in the Arts
Bice Lazzari: Signature Line
Through Sept. 22
As part of 2013 – Year of Italian Culture in the United States, an initiative organized by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Italy, Washington, D.C., this exhibition presents a selection of paintings and drawings from Bice Lazzari (1900–1981), one of Italy’s most revered modern artists. In the 1910s, early in Lazzari’s career, the artist was discouraged from studying the figure in art school because of her gender. She ultimately became a renowned designer and, in the mid-1930s, turned her attention to fine art. Using pencil, ink and pastel, Lazzari drew lines (often over washes of soft color) to form poetic compositions that resemble graphs, maps and musical staffs and notes. Rather than painting a particular subject, Lazzari used lines and shapes to invent forms that conveyed particular emotions. www.nmwa.org
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Kelley Hudak •

The 19th annual U.S. National Arboretum’s “Cookout Under The Stars” celebrated the bountiful state in America’s Heartland — Iowa. More than 600 guests dined on Iowa-sourced cuisine among notables, such as the Iowa Congressional Delegation, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Iowa’s Senator Tom Harkin was honored with the gift of an apple tree cultivated from an ancestor of the Hawkeye, the original strain of the Red Delicious apple.
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Georgetowner •

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society held its annual Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Awards Gala at the Ritz Carlton in D.C. earlier this past month. This is the 22nd year for the event, which aims to bring cancer awareness to the public, put an end to such diseases and overall improve the lives affected by the illnesses. Fox 5 News’ Laura Evans hosted the gala. LLS with the 19 honored men and women raised over $1.145 million for cancer research. [gallery ids="101384,153772,153764,153769" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On July 17, more than 60 of Washingtonian magazine’s 100 Very Best Restaurants offered samplings to more than 2,000 guests at the AT&T Best Of Washington party at the National Building Museum. The annual event supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s research to find cures for cancer of the blood. For more than 30 years, Washingtonian readers have voted for the best people, places and services in the area. Participating restaurants included Bibiana, Bourbon Steak, Central Michel Richard and Et Voila! alongside ever so many specialty cocktails, beers and wines. [gallery ids="101416,154957,154942,154949,154943,154947,154953,154956" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

AFI Docs with Audi had a gala screening of the documentary, “Herblock: The Black & White” on June 20. The screening was part of the 2013 AFI Docs Film Festival, which ran from June 19 to 23. “Herblock” is directed by Michael Stevens, produced by George Stevens, Jr, and recalls the story and reach of the political cartoonist and his 55 years at the Washington Post. A panel on Humor in Politics, full of film makers, producers and writers, was also hosted the day of the screening. This was the 11th edition of the AFI Docs, previously known as Silverdocs.

Georgetowner •

The 5th Annual D.C. Newsbabes Bash for Breast Cancer took over the Hamilton June 27. Gals dressed in hot pink, mauve or purple. Guys were happy to join in or simply cover the frisky event. WUSA’s JC Hayward, a cancer survivor, joked about asking her doctor to lift up her other breast. While wearing the identical dress as younger news colleague Lesli Foster, the 69-year-old Hayward called her a “hussy.” All in good, clean fun with the other TV stations’ newswomen to benefit the Howard University Cancer Center–at least $10,000, so far. [gallery ids="101382,153747,153742,153737,153732,153726,153759,153719,101383,153763,153713,153767,153753" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Carol Schwartz, a three-time candidate for mayor and the only Republican candidate since the restoration of home rule to garner more than 30 percent of the vote, teamed up with news personality J C Hayward to support the Animal Rescue League (WARL) at Schwartz’s art-adorned Kalorama glamour apartment on June 26. J C quipped “we went to Costco last Sunday” as a guest shot back “Thelma and Louise.” Given the state of the art WARL facilities, it was no surprise to hear “our pets live better than some people.” Matt Williams summed it up when he said WARL is “a regional resource with a national impact.” [gallery ids="101381,153716,153685,153712,153691,153708,153697,153703" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On June 25, Ambassador of Hungary György Szapáry hosted a kickoff reception at his residence for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival which this year showcases Hungary’s heritage, culture and artistic traditions. He thanked Hungarian-born Aniko Gaal Schott who had found and decorated the residence. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tibor Navracsics expressed his appreciation to loyal supporters of the arts Adrienne Arsht, Ina Ginsburg, Nina and Philip Pillsbury and Ann and Bill Nitze. Smithsonian Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture Richard Kurin said over 100 Hungarians had been busily erecting “a new monument on the Mall” for the Festival which will run through July 7. [gallery ids="101380,153688,153660,153683,153666,153679,153673" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On behalf of Northern Trust, NWMA Trustee Joanie Stringer welcomed guests to “American People, Black Light, Faith Ringgold’s Paintings of the 1960s” at NMWA on June 18 to hear “a great artist and a marvelous storyteller” discuss her artistic trajectory in conversation with co-curators Thom Collins of the Miami Art Museum and Tracy Fitzpatrick of the Neuberger Museum of Art. The 49 forceful and at the time often controversial works chronicling the start of the Black Revolution will be on display into November.
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Mary Bird •

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) chose “Restaurants in Bloom” as the theme of its 31st annual gala at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel on June 23. Over 1600 foodies heard RAMW President Kathy Hollinger welcome them with “the best just keeps getting better.” Fox 5 News meteorologist Sue Palka emceed. Clyde’s of Georgetown, started by Stuart Davidson who said “I would rather dine in a saloon than drink in a restaurant,” received the Honorary Milestone Award. Chinatown’s Linda Lee accepted the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award saying “thank you United States, the land of opportunity” and much more. The awards honor the accomplishments of the region’s restaurants and foodservice community.
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