5 Museum Exhibitions to See This Weekend
Now that you’ve recovered from the social overdose that is Capital Pride, you may looking for a shot of culture of a broader, more sophisticated kind, not to mention less chaotic. Here are five museum exhibitions — and related events — worthy of your consideration. For still more, see Metro Weekly’s Out On The Town calendar.
1. A NEW AGE OF EXPLORATION: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AT 125
As part of an organization-wide toast to the first 125 years, the National Geographic Museum offers a visual and interactive exhibition celebrating modern exploration by featuring some of the most iconic
moments from the institution and its bedrock magazine. Entered through an archway made of hundreds of issues of National Geographic magazine, the exhibition in the complex’s 17th Street gallery features the work of National Geographic explorers, photographers, scientists and journalists — everyone from Jacques Costeau to James Cameron — and is sponsored by GEICO, with the North Face a sponsor of giveaways and events throughout its run. Launches tonight, June 13, with a museum-wide party presented by Brightest Young Things (BYT), at which explorer-type costumes are encouraged. to June 2014. National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $11. Call 202-857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
2. CATALYST: ROBERT YI, LORENZO CARDIM, EDWINA CHEN
The Metropolitan Art Project, billed as “a new collective for this brave modern world,” is a temporary gallery space, developed by a graduate of the Corcoran College of Art and Design, meant to foster the growth of the local contemporary art community. Each week through August the gallery offers a different exhibit, kicking off with “Catalyst” featuring metal sculptures, paintings and a performance art piece by Lorenzo Cardim; photography and ceramic sculptures by Edwina Chen; and paintings by owner Robert Yi. Opening reception Saturday, June 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To June 21. Metropolitan Art Project, 10409 Main St. Fairfax. Call 703-772-0294.
“Palaces for the People: Guastavino and America’s Great Public Spaces” pays tribute to Rafael Guastavino Sr., arguably one of the most influential architectural craftsmen working in America a century ago, designing tiles in New York’s Grand Central Terminal, the Baird Auditorium of the National Museum of Natural History and the Washington National Cathedral, among other venues. Through Jan. 20. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Call 202-272-2448 or visit nbm.org.
After the introduction of photography in the 1840s, ordinary Americans were able to display art in their homes, something previously the preserve of the rich. Pictures in the Parlor features decorative images and collages from the Victorian era, all from the permanent collection of the Smithsonian. Through June 30. Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & F Streets NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu.
5. LATINO GLBT HISTORY PROJECT’S PRIDE MONTH EXHIBIT
The Latino GLBT History Project has organized a special Pride Month exhibit at the Silver Spring Library chronicling 20 years of LGBT Latino activism and pride, or “orgullo.” Items on display are from national and local organizations and activists, including LLEGO, ENLACE, Jose Gutierrez and Roland Palencia. Now to June 30. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Call 240-773-9420 or visit latinoglbthistory.org for more information.
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