10 Things You Should See for FotoWeek DC was originally published on Black Plastic Bag on Nov. 06, 2009, at 3:20 p.m.
It’s FotoWeek DC, a celebration of local and international shutterbugs. But between the dozens of events featuring thousands of images from photographers in 39 states and 28 countries, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice. If you only have time for 10 events, make it these ones:
1. Night Galleries in D.C., Crystal City, and Rosslyn. Projections of award-winning photographs can be viewed on the façades of FotoWeek’s headquarters, as well as on a retail development in Crystal City at S. 23rd Street & Crystal Drive, and the wall of a vacant construction project on Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn—perfect for a midnight stroll. The projections will appear at dusk and will feature noted photographers and finalists in FotoWeek’s competition.
Georgetown: 3338 M Street, NW.
Crystal City: 2250 Crystal Drive, Arlington.
Rosslyn: 1200 block of Wilson Blvd.
2. Portraiture 2.0. If FotoWeek DC were a feature film, here’s where you’ll find the names that come before the title credits—names like Nicholas and Sheila Pye (whose film A Life of Errors was recently acquired by the Hirshhorn), Chan Chao, Victoria Gaitan, and curator Michael Pollack. These and other artists ‘ unconventional portraits will be shown alongside an international selection of video works. During the artists’ reception on Thursday, enjoy a beer tasting while you peruse the photos. Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, 8230 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. Through Dec. 5. Free.
3. NightVisions. It’s sort of like a high school slumber party with everyone from your AP art class: NightVisions encourages participants to pull an all-nighter with snacks, booze, music, and most of all, photography (no word on spin the bottle). From 6 p.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday, photographers can take night shots of the city and bring them back to FotoWeek HQ, where a team of photo editing pros will choose the best shot from each photographer’s set. That image will be printed and exhibited for the rest of the week. RSVP to nightvisions@fotoweekdc.org. Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Nov. 8, at 6 a.m. at FotoWeek DC Headquarters, 3338 M Street, N.W.
4. Bilateral Engagement. Model for Linda Hesh, whose “Benches” project embodies our turbulent political times. Hesh’s 2008 election-themed piece involved two custom-made benches, a blue one that says “For,” and a red one that says “Against.” Visitors to the Art Museum of the Americas at the Organization of American States can sit on either bench and tell Hesh what they are for (so far: freedom of speech, honesty, chocolate) or against (the war in Iraq, flip-flops, Hummers) to have their image and words included in an online photo gallery. Saturday, Nov. 14, noon-2 p.m. 201 18th St. NW. Free.
5. Fixation. The second annual photography/skate party moves from Fight Club to H Street Northeast’s Industry Gallery, and it’s certain to be packed. This year’s featured photographers, known for documenting the city’s subculture, are Aziz Yazdani, Drew McDermott, Angela Kleis, Pat Padua, Karon Flage, Joshua Yospyn, Amit Mehta, Nicole Aguirre, and Jay Westcott. Drink PBR with them and listen to musical performances by Yoko K, Ayyoko Confidential, and Suspicious Package, while getting your portrait taken by photographer Tracy Clayton in front of a backdrop by Cory Obendorfer commissioned especially for the event. Saturday, Nov. 7, 6-10 p.m. 1358 Florida Ave. NE. $10 suggested donation.
6. Yum!! Techniques and Demonstrations used in Food Photography/Contemporary DC Photographers Explore the Beauty of Food. Despite the irritatingly Rachael Ray–esque name of this session, it seems like a good one. Maybe you saw Julie & Julia and have decided that a food blog is your path to Internet fame, or maybe you’re just a really good cook and want to brag about it on Facebook. Either way, “Yum!!” (can’t forget that extra exclamation point!) will teach you lighting, camera position, exposure, and some tricks for taking photographs of food that make people salivate. Act fast and RSVP, because the Art Institute has opted to keep this session small. If you aren’t a photographer but are just interested in the food porn, come to the Art Institute’s food photography exhibition the day after. Then, the event will live up to its enthusiastic name—you can see delicious food and also eat it, as chefs will be on hand passing out samples of their work. Workshop: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6:30-9 p.m. RSVP to dcurrier@aii.edu. Free. Exhibition: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. Both at the Art Institute of Washington, 1827 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington. (703) 247-6864. Free.
7. Edward Burtynsky and the Industrial Sublime. Burtynsky is one of those pearl-in-the-oyster photographers—he pulls beauty from the muck. In this case, it’s the much-maligned oil industry and its global environmental impact, from the oil rigs to the highways. He’ll be talking about his photographs from the exhibition “Edward Burtynsky: Oil,” on view at the Corcoran until Dec. 12 (Another Burtynsky exhibit is running concurrently at Adamson). Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Hammer Auditorium, 500 17th St. NW. $15 for members, $20 for the public.
8. Eight Short Stories from Around the World. Eight photographers present their latest projects, which span the globe to include journeys through Central Asia to bodybuilding in America. City Paper’s own Darrow Montgomery will be discussing his ongoing series of Washington beyond the monuments, and will be joined by seven other locals—the renowned Frank Day, as well as Katie Falkenberg, Marvin Joseph, Louie Palu, Ivan Sigel, Sarah Voisin, and Terri Weifenbach. Sunday, Nov. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. Free.
9. David Alan Harvey Presents… Fight Club was the place to be for last year’s FotoWeek, with “Fixations” drawing more than 700 attendees. This year, the alternative space presents a show full of new names and young talent recognized by Magnum photographer and Burn Magazine curator David Alan Harvey, who will also display some of his own photos. Harvey has selected Chris Bickford’s “After the Storm,” a meditation on a barrier island in the Atlantic, Michael Loyd Young’s “Blues, Booze, and Barbecue,” a road trip down Highway 61, and A. J. Wilhelm’s “Kabul Opium,” a glimpse of the hardships of heroin addicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nov. 7-14. Gallery hours Monday-Saturday from 1-6 p.m. 1250 9th St. NW. (enter through Blagden Alley on N Street between 9th and 10th Streets).
10. Any exhibit that Lucian Perkins has touched. Perkins, a Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist with the Washington Post, has laid hands upon four FotoWeek exhibits. Perkins curated three international photography exhibits: “Iraqi Voices,” “InsideOutside: New Images from Russia,” and “My Cuba,” offering surprising slices of life that break down preconceptions about these countries. His work will also be exhibited in a large group show called “Thy Brothers’ Keeper,” which examines human rights violations through the eyes of 25 international photographers. All four exhibits are on display Nov. 7-14, Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thy Brothers’ Keeper: 3333 M St. NW.
Iraqi Voices: 3307-D M St. NW.
InsideOutside: New Images from Russia: 3306 M St. NW.
My Cuba: 3306 M St. NW.
