]
DJ Earworm, not specifically a “district creative” per-say, (San Fran, to be exact) but you know what, let’s celebrate the first rainfall of the last 2-3 weeks with some mashup, and some badass mixing. You have my full permission to rock out at work. : ) -kk
{photo from the Telegraph.co.uk}
It would be very easy to write this post, and compare UK songstress Adele to her contemporaries. (Winehouse, Estelle, Duffy) Most have, and it’s a simple and logical progression… unless you actually listen to the music. 19 year-old Adele Adkins is a musicians musican, with a knock-down, drag-your-heart-thru-the-rainy-night-streets-of-London voice that soars over most of the amazing arrangements on her album, “19″. But unlike the above mentioned artists, there’s no ’stchick’ in the album as a whole. She seems as genuine and honest thru each of the 12 tracks, and the songs genres range from pop to soul, to bluesy neo-soul-ish. And the best part is, she doesn’t appear as polished as some of the generic UK female singers that have come out lately. (Read: Duffy, -please stop force feeding us your music) …Dammit, I just realized that I wrote this post completely comparing her to others … I’m an idiot.
So, why am I writing about all of this? Well, she’ll be at 9:30 Club this coming Wednesday. If you’re not at the Nats game, watching Manny be Manny, or your not calling it an early night, on account of the kids first day of school or something crazy like that : ) … Head over there. From what I’ve heard, she gives a great live show, and it’s wonderful to support great artists that maybe aren’t on a huge label, with executives pushing out their music with reckless abandon. Sometimes the music speaks for itself. And hers does.-kk
{{ This place is bananas. If the website is as gorgeous as the spot, one can only image how great the spot is. On top of that, the artists and work is amazing. Check it out. -kk }}
LEO VILLAREAL: new work
(gallery one + courtyard gallery)
GALLERY ARTISTS: recent work
(gallery two + media room)
Saturday, September 27 - Sunday, November 9, 2008
Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith are delighted to announce the inauguration of 1358-60 Florida Avenue, NE as the new home of Conner Contemporary Art and *gogo art projects with an opening solo exhibition of new work by
Leo Villareal and a group exhibition of recent work by Gallery Artists.
Since acquiring the building last July, we have extensively renovated the 7,000 sq ft. ground floor area into two galleries, a dedicated media room and an outdoor exhibition space. During the year of construction, our artists have excelled, showing at venues including the Busan Biennial, South Korea; National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; British National Museum, London, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, DC; Kulturhuset, Stockholm and the Anchorage Museum of Art, Anchorage; ARCO International Art Fair, Madrid; NEXT, Chicago; and at the Pulse Art Fairs in Miami, New York, and London. We now look forward to advancing our exhibition program as we participate in the momentous evolution of the historic H Street Corridor/Atlas Arts District.
To inaugurate the new space, Conner Contemporary Art takes great pleasure in presenting new large-format digital light sculptures by Leo Villareal: Diamond Matrix, Death Star and Horizon 2. In conceiving his fourth solo exhibition with the Gallery, the artist responded to interior and exterior exhibition spaces within the new gallery complex. Using the latest LED technology, Villareal explored scale, pattern, color and tonality to create imagery that evokes the generation of new life and suggests the emergence of behavior and personality. With stunning visual impact and kinetic appeal, these pieces stand forth as major works in the increasingly impressive canon of this renowned international artist.
In 2008,Villareal’s work has been acquired by the Modern Museum of Art, New York and he has created projects for PS1 Contemporary Art Center, New York and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY. The artist has permanent installations at the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS.
We are also thrilled to present an exhibition of recent work by Conner Contemporary artists including: Mary Coble’s
Blood Script performance documentation, Mark Bennett’s Mommie Dearest architectural drawing, Erik Sandberg’s latest monumental canvas, Kenny Hunter’s recent sculpture, Zoë Charlton’s figural drawing, Gabriel de la Mora’s memento mori drawings, Harry Shearer’s latest political videos, and works by Maria Friberg, Julee Holcombe, Dean Kessmann, David Levinthal, Avish Khebrehzadeh, John Kirchner, Jeremy Kost, Brandon Morse, Joe Ovelman, Patricia Piccinini, as well as *gogo art projects artists: Geoffrey Aldridge, Taylor Baldwin, Ryan Carr Johnson, Adam De Boer, Isaac Maiselman, Natalia Panfile, Sabeen Raja, Nathaniel Rogers, Zach Storm, and Matthew Sutton.
There will be an opening reception for the artists Saturday, September 27th from 6-8pm. By invitation only.
For further information or images, please contact Leigh Conner at 202-588-8750 or info@connercontemporary.com.
Conner Contemporary Art is located at 1358-60 Florida Avenue, NE - ground floor - Washington, DC 20002 in the H Street Corridor/ Atlas Arts District. Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11-6pm; Sunday 12-5pm. Parking is available by prior reservation.
Ahhh, it seems like it was only last year that I was writing about Chris Rief… misspelling his name, commenting on his unique and beautiful style of photography… and now? Well now? NOW!!? Well now, the man has gotten his ducks in a row, and now has a legit business. Not that it wasn’t legit before… I mean, the man wasn’t taking photos and dealing illegal arms to the South American nation of Peru… or was he? Hmm. That was an awful lot of time in South America, Chris.
Focus.
SO, the man-the myth, (-the Duke fan), Chris Rief now is established and has the website up and running and is eager to show you why he’s one of Washington DC’s newest art stars. Rief doesn’t just take photos, he creates a stylized art form that’s evokes memories of an older time when people used this thing called (apparently) “film”, and with old world style, and new age technology, he’s created an aesthetic all is own. Check out the website here, because if a group of people are going to put DC in the center of the art world for years to come, Chris Rief will be one of those people.
No more selling illegal weapons to the Peruvians, Ok Chris? Only photography.
{{Note, no Peruvians were harmed in the making of this post. Chris Rief is not an illegal trafficker of arms. If you see him with large black menacing cases, it’s only the multi-millions of dollars of Nikon equipment that the man is carrying.}}
Headlining this Friday’s lineup at Rock ‘n Roll Hotel, is a local act making it’s triumphant return to the main stage. Go see them before you’re “that person” saying “weren’t those guys from around here??”, a few months from now when the main stage is possibly MSG.
Like other similar area bands, Once, Okay Twice take a veritable cornucopia of musical talents and influences, and make a sound all they’re own. Reggae, punk, indie, jam band, post-alt… it’s all there. It’s a wonderful sonic experience will all sorts of ingredients in the mix. In essence, it’s a pure and unique Washingtonian sound*, and you’ll be sorry you’ve missed it, if you’re not around this weekend. (*-Ok, there’s no go-go in there. I’m sorry. I retract the statement.) They do rock though, so clear your Friday schedule, and rock out. : ) -kk
Ryan Leslie - Diamond Girl
Ok, yea he lives in Harlem… And yea, he grew up and went to school in Cali… And sure, he graduated from Harvard at 19… BUT, my man was BORN in DC, and so therefore by birth, the dude’s a district creative. And why wouldn’t we want to call R-Les one of our own? The man has been busy producing everything from Cassie’s “Me & U”, to working with Snoop, New Edition, and others. So, my a few degrees of seperation, voila! And so there’s 3 reasons why I’m posting this -
1) Hot track, great video, and genuine talent
2) It’s Friday… And I’m mailing in another post.
3) The album finally comes out on the 26th of August, after a long delay. Grab it, and support real music, and real musicians!
-kk
Tyson Gay? Alicia Sacramone? Lebron James? Has anyone else noticed that a lot of Americans have been spending some serious time in China lately. Well, a few DC residents were there about a month before this whole, “Beijing” thing started. You may have heard of them . . . Matt Sesow, and Dana Ellyn. : ) This coming Saturday is the long view gallery opening of their 3 week trek through the Asian country, and their documentation of their travels. Swing by, and have a look at some of the new work from two of the most innovative and exciting artists in the District.
Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow
“Made in China”
August 16, 2008 – September 20, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 16, 6pm to 9pm
Press Release -
China is in the news a lot these days. While garnering fewer reports of its widespread human rights violations and environmental woes, it is mostly making headlines with heartwarming stories anticipating the 2008 Olympic Games in the capital city of Beijing. With tensions high and the excitement building for the Olympics, Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow packed up and headed to China for 3 weeks, documenting their journey on canvas and paper.
Dana Ellyn’s work demonstrates a risk-taking vision, strong content and a colorful critique of social morality – perfect for traversing the complicated culture of China. Her paintings are often inspired by news stories and current events which allow for an immediate connection to her work. Ellyn’s “Made in China” pieces run the gamut of Chinese figures, from street vendors to heads of state; even Mao couldn’t escape her brush!
Matt Sesow, one of D.C.’s premiere outsider artists, is a master portrayer of conflict. His work demands a reaction; his expressionist style comes across frantic, though his pieces feel resolved. Like Ellyn, Sesow’s work for the “Made in China” show focuses on figures he encountered while traveling around China, with the occasional chicken thrown in – a regular visitor in his work.
Hey there! Congrats and a buncha thanks to everyone who’s made District Creatives what it is today. 12 months, and almost 12,000 views later, we’re growing day by day, and today, marks the 1 year anniversary of this little project coming to fruition. Yahoo-for-me! And Yahoo-for-us! I think I deserve a little dap from Arlen Spector… Sweet! Happy Birthday, DistrictCreatives.com!-kk
(Leah Tinari - A Calvin Klein Close Up, 2008, gouache on paper, 22 1/4 x 15 inches)A DFA Special Event At Bloomingdale’s
5300 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD, Level 2, YES
September 5, 2008 - September 14, 2008
Opening Reception Friday, September 5, 6-8 pm
District Fine Arts presents “Hit Me With Music!”
a group show featuring paintings and photographs.
Leon Armour Jr. - photographer. Music has always been a special part of my life, from my earliest childhood memories, to the current soundtrack to my life. Photographing live entertainment has been another way for me to share those memories and to try to convey the emotional intensity of that performance in a single image. Even if you were not there, I want you to be able to hear the music through my images.
Chester Simpson - photographer. In the mid 1970’s, while studying at the San Francisco Art Institute for his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography, Simpson met two of the major influences on his life, legendary master photographer, Ansel Adams, founder of the Institute’s photography department, and Jim Marshall, the famous Rock-n-Roll photographer. He soon indulged himself in the evolving punk rock scene. This led to the start of his professional career as a rock-n-roll photographer when Rolling Stone Magazine published his first picture while he was still in school. Ten years later, Simpson found himself in Washington, DC working as Director of Photography for the Pentagon’s Newspaper. This in turn led to an ongoing contract as a lead tour photographer for the USO. In this capacity, Simpson has enjoyed documenting over 35 USO Tours with many noted celebrities and entertainers. His work has been in most major publications around the world including New Musical Express, Melody Maker, People, Newsweek and he has exhibited worldwide.
Leah Tinari - painter. Leah, who lives and works in New York City graduated from R.I.S.D. in 1998 and has been showing in New York City and beyond ever since. She has been featured in publications such as; NY Arts, The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, Spin, Lucky, and Elle. The imagery in her paintings is based on photographs that she takes of friends and family. Although the work is a documentation of her personal experiences, she hopes that the images will evoke familiar feelings or create a sense of voyeurism. Her work often examines seemingly mundane situations and environments, in order to portray the complexities inherent in the unpolished human existence. Leah’s art ultimately provokes questions and discussions about family, relationships, class, gender, personal collection and one’s surroundings.
As the dog days approach, I’ve been neglecting the blog a bit, and it’s only because I’ve had a little work pop up. Click on “that guy” above and head to a small gallery, and take a look. -kk
(yes, i know this image is too big. -myspace.com)
Ever have an insatiable passion for something? And no matter how many times someone tells you that you can’t/shouldn’t do something, you still do it? I think former Bethesda resident, and now current Hot97 radio personality Peter Rosenberg actually created the definition of what that is. And so, from here forth, whenever someone tells you that you shouldn’t be doing something, and yet you pursue it anyways, and you actually succeed beyond what anyone thinks is possible, you’re “Rosenberging”.
Peter Rosenberg got his start, (to me, the listener) on WJFK, a few years back, but his brand of hip-hop/political/topical talk show never really grabbed listeners like he thought it would. So he left, but kept pursuing his niche, knowing that somewhere along the line, someone would want what he does. So, odd jobs from being a YouTube celeb for his obvious hatred for Duke basketball, ((NSFW)) (UMD grad) to working as a personality on DC-based XM Radio, to DJ-ing at a Burger King in Adams Morgan. (yes. a Burger King) That was how the man kept going. That, and podcasts, and just staying hungry and true to his craft.
Somehow, some way, after a few years of kicking around, last summer, Hot97 up in NYC, gave him a late night, (llllllaaaaaaaaaaate night, 1-3am Sunday) slot, where Rosenberg had the ability to talk about what he wanted, play what he wanted, and do essentially whatever he wanted. Whether it was honoring the late J-Dilla with tribute after tribute, talking about his other passion, (WWE wrestling) or even getting the access to interview high ranking guests in the hip hop community, Rosenberg had stayed true to his vision of what he thought people wanted to hear, and last week he was rewarded with an amazing opportunity. As of July 21st, Hot97 gave Rosenberg and fellow personality Cipha Sounds a morning timeslot (5-7am) weekdays on the radio. I don’t think that has sank in yet.
Hot97, one of the most recognized hip-hop radio stations on the planet, gave Bethesda’s own, Peter Rosenberg, weekday mornings 5-7am. WJFK didn’t want him. Other radio stations didn’t want him. Hell, after a while, Burger King didn’t want him. But he knew what he did would appeal to someone, and Hot97 was the place.
I know this seems like a whole lot of man-love for a dude who won’t even return an email, or a myspace request, but it’s kind of like when you see a kid from the neighborhood playing ball, and you think that at a young level, he’s not there yet, but he’s got tons of potential. It’s kind of like that, and it’s great to see someone who loves real music, real hip-hop, and real talk to go out there and get it himself. Respect and props to you Mr. Rosenberg. Good luck in the future. And even though you’re big-time NYC now, you’re still a creative from the District, and I applaud your efforts. -kk
Looking for ways to support local artists this weekend? Well swing by my house and drop off a suitcase of crisp, unmarked $100 bills. If you don’t want to do that, try some of these joints!
FRITAG
GO OUT! Arlington Arts Center - Closing Party for “She’s So Articulate” Panel discussion 6-7pm, party runs till 10pm. Admission is frrrrrrreeeee. : )
ROCK OUT! Rock & Roll Hotel - The Vita Ruins / The Jaguar Club / More Human | Doors open at 8:30pm. All of the bands are great, but ‘Vita’ has got a great, Pete Yorn-meets-Bowie-meets-Simon LeBon vibe. Local dudes.
SCREW IT, STAY IN! Nationals v. Dodgers, 10:30pm MASN. Grab a bunch of High Life, kick back and watch the injury plagued Bowden boys battle Nomar, Derek Lowe, Grady Little and other Red Sox Dodgers players. Late-nite, west coast baseball! (I secretly enjoy Nats games…)
SAMSTAG
SLURP UP! Ceviche - Glover Park, A $20 cover buys samples of five different kinds of ceviche. (…which, I just realized was salad, not booze. No, I don’t have a drinking problem.) Festival to benefit the EduSemillas Program. Good food, good cause.
THEATRE IT UP! Fringe Festival, Seemingly everywhere, until Sunday. (Downtown) Wayyyy to much to explain here, but you need to check it out. And take pictures. : ) For me.
WATCH OUT! Safety warning for the weekend. Stay away from black convertible Corvettes. /Novak’d.
SUNDAY-SUNDAY SUNDAY…
Nothing. You need a day off, from supporting local artists. Watch the Sox/Yanks. (FYI, my twin brother pitches tonight)
MONDAY (it’s the summertime. 3 day weekends are required.)
Somewhere, someplace, around or about the CapHill area, there will be a concert. This show will feature Matt Nathanson. Details to follow. I’ll keep you posted.
-
And finally, I’ve been AWOL again. I know. Work that actually pays, (unlike mindless blogging) is a bitch. Last few weeks have been sprinkled with some of this -
and a buncha this…
…so who knows what’s next?
Support Local Art. -kk
{image courtsey of myspace.com, The Black Angels & Death Song Publishing Co.}
Let’s face it… Even though we’re a good 48hrs plus away from July 4th, All of the DC fat-cats have already skipped town. Most are off to their “Wedding Crashers”-esque estate in the outter parts of oceanic facing MD, VA, or Del. But us? Us district creatives? We know better. We know that there are a few weekends, (most of which occurring in August) we have a full, and somewhat traffic free, run of the town. Downtown is a ghost town. Even places in Georgetown are not as crowded. Where am I going with this? I have absolutely no idea.
You see, I’m writing this while I’m listening to the Black Angels. Yes, the same Black Angels that will be appearing at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel this evening. Yes, that same R’n'R Hotel that’s been profiled on this site. Yes, that same area where I am going to eventually move to because it’s the only real spot left in this town for artists to live and work amongst their peers. Jeebus, I’m a rambling fool this morning. A round of apology shots from me. Sorry about this. You know what though? It’s staying up. “F-it, we’ll do it LIVE!” -Bill O’Reilly
Bottom line - Go see this band live. They rock hard. Influences and contemporaries include The Velvet Underground, BRMC, Floyd, Jesus & Mary Chain, Clinic, Verve, Joy Division, Syd Barrett, The Stooges, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Beatles, LOVE, The Raveonettes and more. I’d also throw radiohead in there too. But it’s worth it. I haven’t been this fired up about a concert since the always wonderful and fantastic Marjorie Korn took me to go see the then relatively unknown Band of Horses at 9:30 club. And besides, with no one left in town but us criminals artists, there’s virtually no crosstown traffic to complain about, heading out to H. St, (and one of the greatest venues to see a live show in the District) and therefore NO EXCUSE not to see these guys. -kk
Now, you all know I love DC. I do, really. …But there’s just things that are allowed and accepted, in NYC that make it infinitely cooler as a city that embraces art, than here. Case in point -
From June 26th, (my father’s birthday, if you see him, tell him happy birthday for me) until October 13th, in the largest art project since the Gates, four “New York City Waterfalls” will transform seemingly (now) mundane parts of Manhattan into beautiful, artificial natural wonders. Sounds cool? It is. It’s the baby of Olafur Eliasson, and is funded by the NY Public Art Fund, the city, and private investors. All in all, it sounds amazing… and it makes me wonder - Why can’t something like this happen in Washington DC? -kk
“New York City Waterfalls” will run between June 26 and Oct. 13 at Pier 35; at the eastern foot of the Brooklyn Bridge; between Piers 4 and 5 near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade; and on the north shore of Governors Island.
Looking for a for a great place for your next creative output? Check out Pitchfork Studios, down in SE, now (finally) available for rental. Perched above the 9th St. SE, (rear) alleyway, and close to the Eastern Market metro, the space is perfect for your studio photography needs. …Wait, what? Am I trying to sell this place to someone? No. Yo, check it out. Pitchfork is Abby Greenawalt’s place, and it’s now going to be available to the public to use. So, if you’re a photographer, and your upstairs bedroom “studio” is starting to creep some of your clients (who don’t know you) out, go here, and check it out. Oh, and check out some of the stuff Abby has been doing lately. -kk
It’s getting closer. The oncoming war between wine bars is ON… and I do take bribes. : )
I’m not sure when it opened its doors, but wow, what a place. About a week ago, by better half and I, (both agreeing that we “needed” wine, after our respective weeks), ventured out to Cork, a new wine bar and restaurant over on 14th Street. And when it was all (4 glasses later) said and done, we both agreed that it’s one of the most impressive restaurants in the city*. (*-Now, when I say this, I’m not comparing Cork to Chef Geoff’s, Brass Beck, 1789, or anything that Jose Andres has touched, but I am saying that it stands alone in a lot of respects, and the personal and private intimacy that it allows you to have, is light years beyond any of the other mentioned spots downtown. I digress…) The service was professional and impeccable, and the food was superb. The entire menu seemed like a well thought out sample of what one should be eating with good wine, and you can tell the owners and managers had a solid knowledge of culinary creativity and expounded upon that notion. Also, like many other wine bars in the city, they offer different sizes of wines if you’re interested in tasting, and (as if it were personally tailored for me) the night we were there, there was a “flight” or 3-glass tasting of rose. Sa-weet! Summer + rose = Happy Kevin. Regardless, try it for yourself. They have a great outdoor seating area, perfect for watching the world go by, as you sip your great wine. Needless to say, we’re going back this weekend. : ) -kk
Hey world. It’s me, Kevin. Happy Summer. : )
Like clockwork, every June 21, I kick off summer with a nice round of the ultimate summer soundtrack; one of the definitive singer/songwriters of all time, Stevie Wonder. Usually it’s the well worn vinyl version of “Talking Book”, but every once in a while it’s “Innervisions”. Either way, whether it’s either of these, or any greatest hit compilation, do yourself a favor and bring Stevie to a party this summer, and treat those around you to the inspiration that has lent its sonic self to my summers for a long time. There’s NONE better than Stevie Wonder. End of story. Enjoy, and happy official start to summer. -kk
Why? Why you ask? Because I’m busy, dammit! I got stuff going on man. : ) Besides the photo stuff, the design stuff, the other stuff, and the pimping of this here site, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy indeed. So, check it out - Here’s a handful of things that I’ve been working on, working with, intrigued by, and keeping busy with. It’s the Friday “Quick Hitters”. Enjoy!
The Washington Kastles - Nats ticket prices got you down? Looking for a sport to watch for the summer that doesn’t include lacrosse balls or long treks to RFK to watch pseudo-Beckhams? Check out our new local WTT team, playing RIGHT downtown. Remember that big old parking lot? The one divided by that little walkway? Well, tons of asphalt later, the western side has been transformed into a top rate centre court for the District, and during the month of July the likes of Kournakova, McEnroe, and Serena will take part in a fiercely competitive version of tennis. It’s a wonderfully creative way to spend an early July evening. (You know I had to get “creative” in there somewhere.)
Dr. Granville Moore’s Gastropub - A large part of me doesn’t want to write this post. That large part is worried that the greatest bar in the District is going to become the new “it” place in DC. Oh well… Here we go… Located on the 1200 block of the revival we like to call ‘H. St. NE’, the place has more history than I care to digress about. Expecially when the WashPost can do it better. But trust me, this place is it. As an added bonus, every once in a while, you get a really great setting for live music, featuring…
Laura Tsaggaris - To me, the premier singer-songwriter in the area. I saw her live last week and while she’s working on the new album, (due in September), (please donate to the cause) you can get a chance to see her new material, every other week or so, at GM’s. Trust me, it’s all well worth it. The girl does a mean live cover of Rhianna’s “Umbrella…ella…ella…ella…eh…eh…eh….” : )
So that’s it. That’s all I have going right now. I’ll leave you with this. The AFI in Silver Spring still has SILVER DOCS | 2008 Festival going on. Check it out, and check out my local, long-lost-and-doesn’t-know-it-yet uncle Ted (Leonsis) and “Kicking It”. Here’s a preview.
