Washington City Paper Reviews The Salon of Little Deaths

For an exhibit titled “The Salon of Little Deaths,” this dual-artist show at Hamiltonian Gallery doesn’t include much in the way of orgasm art, though at least in the works of Milana Braslavsky, there’s a not-too-subtle sexuality at play…..

Fellow to Fellow Reviews: The Salon of Little Deaths

Our conversation about his new paintings started at the opening but took shape in a sea of bodies, as we yelled above the din of a swarming U-street bar. Looking down from the roof deck, I saw torrents of people looking for something that wasn’t there: for a hook-up, some flirting conversation, or a future missed connection. We discussed other inspirational views. Inspiration that came not in his studio, but from his basement window in a ‘garden view’ apartment. To peer at the street he had to look through low bushes, a voyeuristic peak onto a low-slung DC vista beyond his window. At the top of his lungs, Mann belted about the ‘Fraggon Wall’ that inspired his latest paintings; through my incomprehension I asked him again what he meant, and he repeated “Fragonard.”

Centerfold Artist Series

Centerfold Artist is a series of monthly podcasts that features actively showing artists from around the country. We ask the tough questions that cut to the heart and expose inner thoughts and feelings. Each featured artist is provided a datasheet that is to be filled out and returned in a sealed envelope.

In this our first installment of Centerfold Artist, we introduce Mr. January, Ben Kinsley. Ben is currently teaching in Washington, DC at American University. He recently had a show called Harry Smith Was So Skinny… a Janks Archive at the Practice Gallery in Philadelphia, PA. To see this month’s datasheet, click here. To learn more about Ben and all of his artwork please visit his website. And to learn more about us, write to centerfoldartist@gmail.com.

Fellow to Fellow Review: Gathering Space

Gathering Space, by Timothy Thompson challenges our assumptions before we even enter the gallery. From the sidewalk on U Street, the view through the gallery window is of a series of large blue tarps hanging perpendicular to the sidewalk. These tarps may spur memories of a construction site, or a space still in development. Entering the door to the gallery one’s perceptions are again challenged. The taut blue curtains extend from the floor to the ceiling, blocking the flow of foot traffic, altering the light and framing our view of the space.

Fellow to Fellow Review: Social Studies

In Social Studies, Jerry Truong exhibits works that explore the dichotomy of elementary school politics. Two old-school projectors shine brightly across the entrance of the gallery. Large black chalkboards line the walls and are filled with phrases such as “I will encourage critical thinking awareness empathy” and “discursive”. These sayings are tediously written in white chalk over and over again. One can’t help but think of Bart Simpson and his never-ending detention with Ms Krabappel. As you head towards the middle of the gallery, 16 child size chairs confront you. They are strategically arranged in four rows that are split in half and lined up for battle opposite one another. They are placed on a hardwood parquet floor, the back rows standing tall while the front lay face down, defeated. The last piece in the show is another projector that shines on a small winding architectural sculpture. The structure and its looming shadow look like a mix between a dunce cap and Tatlin’s unfinished tower.

Billy Friebele at Artisphere

Although Friebele has staged drawing installations using various instruments in multiple locations, Floating World marks his largest drawing installation in an indoor space. On view in addition to the Floating World installation in the Town Hall will be documentation of the process by Artisphere’s Front Desk.

Washington Post – Gallery event of the week: ‘Social Studies’

Artists Jerry Truong and Annette Isham make art that explores identity, history, gender and other personally and politically charged topics. So it makes sense for them to tackle the topic of school, where much of our sense of self is shaped.

Sarah Knobel Showing at the Stamp Gallery

Hamiltonian Alum Sarah Knobel will be showing works at the Stamp Gallery through March 6th in Good Place, No Place with artist Alyssa Dennis. For more information click here