Gary Ollsen's Blog

Threats Cause Storeowner to Move Artwork Satirizing Palin

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Washington, D.C. may run decidedly blue in elections, and you may have to walk past 25 blocks of Obama canvassers before you even spot a McCain sticker here these days, but that doesn't mean we're all in agreement in this city.

Home furnishing and design store Skynear, located in Adams Morgan, recently asked artist Dana Ellyn if they could hang a few of her paintings. Ellyn is a popular local artist, having shown her work in a number of venues, such as Warehouse, Gallery Neptune, Long View, and most recently in the Brushfire sponsored show at Gallery Plan B, from which the three pieces in question came. Her bold colored caricatures, which often focus on current events, are intentionally provocative. And this time, it seems, they're making some people downright violent.

Owner Lynn Skynear asked Ellyn if she could hang some of her paintings in the run-up to the election, and Ellyn sent her three Gov. Sarah Palin paintings to put in their window: Miss Congeniality (with her sheeple), Pulling Rabbits out of Hats, and Juggling Act (pictured at right). Friday afternoon, Ellyn got a call from Skynear employee David Stulajter. The store is close to a number of other locally owned shops (a hair dresser, etc.), and these neighbors started bringing word to him about threats regarding the paintings.

We spoke with Stulajter, who said there were quite a few people who reportedly talked of "breaking windows" and vandalizing the paintings, though it's unclear if they were direct threats or passive aggressive "warnings" that, ahem, things like that happen. One particular Skynear customer, who had returned to order furniture, noticed the new paintings on the wall and told Stulajter he was "quite offended," particularly by Juggling Act, in light of Palin's baby with Downs Syndrome. He left without purchasing anything, and they don't expect him back.

Stulajter doesn't lament the lost sale, stating, "it's art!" While threats of violence go on behind their backs, there are also folks who like the work, finding them "funny and clever," and in fact, Ellyn already has an offer on Miss Congeniality.

Nevertheless, the store is worried about the safety of the artwork, so they've moved them to the second floor, away from the windows. In that location, Stulajter hopes, the store's alarm would scare anyone away before they got that far.

Go Home Already: Circus Act

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

A woman was found stabbed to death in an apparent robbery attempt this morning in Bloomingdale. She was waiting at a bus stop when she was attacked at around 7 a.m.
Metro has fired the bus driver involved in last month's fatal accident with a taxi van.
Stocks went back up at the end of the day today, but this was still the worst week ever for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500.
Shaw restaurant Veranda has been approved for sidewalk seating.
Don't forget about all the Navy Day events going on tomorrow at the Navy Yard.
The tipline was buzzing earlier over something that sounded like an air raid siren... but we didn't hear it and we're still not sure what was going on. Anybody know?

Photo by Bullneck

Of Montreal @ 9:30 Club

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Barring a last-minute Flaming Lips concert announcement, Of Montreal probably just put on the most visually overstimulating, over the top, batshit crazy fun concert to have hit D.C. this year. Nothing was too sacred for Of Montreal, as dancing Buddhas wore gold lamé, Greek statues shook their genitalia and John McCain's mug was pictured uttering the famous line "Here's Johnny!" from The Shining in large cartoonish letters. It's no wonder that the escapism of the Athens band sold out the 9:30 Club.

This tour is to last year's shows as upcoming (but widely leaked) release Skeletal Lamping is to last year's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Flamboyant frontman Kevin Barnes wrote and recorded the deeply personal but wildly multilayered Hissing Fauna in a solitary and depressive stage after a separation from his wife. The stage show for that tour mirrored the album's extravagant yet homemade feel with a setup that looked like a hyperactive school production. Pink angel wings, ladder turned skirt, foam lobster claw and other similarly amateur stage props moved onto and across the stage with the help of the traveling stage crew, the CCAA Booty Patrol, with complete disregard to their obvious presence.

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at DCist

For Skeletal Lamping (a line taken from Hissing Fauna track "Labyrinthian Pomp"), the production is anything but skeletal. Barnes and co. have taken the personal (and unabashedly sexual) lyrics, colorful album design and layered disco inspired indie pop to its logical extreme… and taken the stage show right along with it. While some of the costume changes still appear before our very eyes, there’s now also a rotating screen doubling as a projection for costume and set changes, drum kits on ten foot high risers and lavish period costumes mixed in with the now familiar golden faces and black bodysuits. The stage show, like the album, delves more into the decadent hedonism of their sequined frontman (or at least of his alter ego, Georgie Fruit). So while there's still an element of homemade charm to the set, the performance was at once more revealing, but less personal.

Swedish quintet Love Is All warmed the crowd up nicely with their punchy indie pop. Singer Josephine Olausson bounced up and down, giving a sharp vocal delivery over the top of melodies that ranged from fast discordant Gang of Four-esque riffs to more sugary fare that brought to mind the B-52's, if the B-52's had a sax. Their saxophonist, Ake Stromer, is apparently a fan of Flock of Seagulls, so the band did a much brighter cover of "I Ran (So Far Away)", and Olausson described the '80s new wave staple as a band "...with better haircuts. Or at least they did. They probably have no hair now."

Perhaps it's no surprise that the crowd's strongest reactions were to Of Montreal's older songs, with which they'd spent more time. The floor of the 9:30 Club shook as patrons bounced to songs like Hissing Fauna's "She's A Rejector", "Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse", Satanic Panic in The Attic's "Disconnect The Dots", and The Sunlandic Twins' "Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games)". Apparently Barnes has reconciled with his decision to "sell out" that song to an Outback commercialm since "Wraith" was noticeably absent from many 2007 setlists.

Whether this audience reaction is a testament to the quality of work from Skeletal Lamping, as opposed to their earlier albums, is yet to be seen. Even unreleased tracks like the sexually explicit "For Our Elegant Caste", where Barnes explains that he "takes it both ways," and show opener (and album closer) "Id Engager" garnered some sing-a-longs. Still, when they couldn't rely on a sing-a-long, they relied on theatrics. Kevin Barnes had no fewer than 12 costume changes (including red body paint and shaving cream among others), and the Booty Patrol showed up as country western duelers, 1950s family members, golden buddhas and executioners. Toward the end, they performed a very elaborate hanging of Barnes in a pink bathrobe. If nothing else, it certainly kept the "wtf?" factor up relatively high, and kept the audience (which included Chris Cooley) watching.

They ended the show with two familiar tunes, after a chant led by new drummer Ahmed Ghallab of "What do we want?" "Pizza!" "When do we want it?" "Pizza!" "Gronlandic Edit" and "Requiem for O.M.M." had the audience jumping, singing and cheering again and Kevin Barnes left the stage saying, "This was fun!"

Preview: Hamiltonian Gallery on U Street

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

This Saturday is a milestone in the life of both the Hamiltonian Gallery and Hamiltonian Artists. Not only is it the grand opening of the venue itself, but it marks the first show by So Hamiltonian Fellows. Amid the clatter of last minute construction, DCist got a preview of the space -- which will also be the new home to Project 4 -- and a refresher on the So Hamiltonian Fellowship program that will be showcased Saturday night. (You can read about the program in our interview with its founder, Paul So.)

So acquired the empty Hamilton building approximately two years ago. Located on U Street, the space had been sitting empty for 15 to 20 years. Even though it had been sitting in disuse, the facade still carried the name Hamilton and a mosaic of a printing press, both relics of the building's past life. West Hamilton, along with his brother, ran the press, which was in operation between the 1920s and 1970s. Hamilton was a prominent African-American General who fought in both world wars and served on the D.C. School Board for 21 years. The gallery's name and Fellowship program pay homage to the building's history and its namesake.

The historic building was completely gutted during renovations and the roof dismantled, but the facade was kept intact. Now the building is a mixed use space, with two galleries, a floor of offices, and a private residence. So took advantage of a program that helps D.C. residents fund green roof installation and was profiled by NBC4 for his efforts. There are several green touches throughout the building beyond the green roof, including a zoned HVAC system, bamboo flooring in the upper levels, and Energy Star rated appliances throughout.

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at DCist

The Hamiltonian Gallery, located on the ground level, boasts over 2,000 square feet. It is a flexible exhibition space for the fellows, who mostly work at their homes or other studios. The gallery has a front cubical area, which is currently being used as a makeshift office, but that can be turned into a media space. The plan for the gallery is to show the fellows's mentors's work in the front of the space, with two to three fellows in a focus show in the rest of the gallery on a five to six week rotating schedule. While the programing of the space is mainly for the Hamiltonian Artists, the gallery will also host shows that will feature artists not in the program.

The space holds small glimpses of the original structure, with some exposed brick by the media space and in the back of the gallery, in the garage. On the whole, the interior and upper levels of the building took on a modern design, contained within its historic cover.

The rest of the building, located on the upper levels, contain many surprises. Inscape Studio, the architecture and design firm in charge of the renovations and who incorporated the green elements throughout, is moving their offices to the Hamilton building. These offices will occupy the entire second floor.

The next level up consists of two, two-story condo units with a shared deck area. The units are separated by a metal sculpture by Michael Sirvet, one of the Hamiltonian Artists. Though the condos have a modern design, the front unit retains its historical facade on the street side, making the interior design quite a surprise once you come inside. The second unit will be the new gallery space and offices of Project 4. The condos have simple clean lines and a large expanse of windows that let lots of natural light into the units. Both of these units also include green touches such as bamboo flooring, paper stone counter tops, and Energy Star appliances. Project 4's first show in their new space will be in conjunction with Fotoweek DC in November. Both Project 4 and Inscape Studio plan on moving in on November 1.

New works by Nao Matsumoto, Bryan Rojsuontikul and Ian MacLean Davis will be on display Saturday, October 11 at an opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. and on view through November 2. The Hamiltonian is located at 1353 U St NW. Currently, gallery hours are by appointment only.

Previous Messed Up Stuff Cleared Up Now

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Earlier we told you about an apparent suicide attempt at the Suitland Metro station. The man who was struck by a train died, and the Green line has since resumed normal service after about three hours of delays, so it shouldn't affect your ride home tonight. Also earlier today, we mentioned that the entire U.S. House was unable to email. The Politico has since reported that the outage has been repaired, and staffers are once again on their Blackberries.

Single Beer Ban Continues to Expand

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

The ban on the sale of single beers keeps marching on, so it seems.

On Tuesday, the D.C. Council approved legislation that bans the sale of single beers in Ward 6, Ward 2 and part of Ward 1. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), who sponsored the measure, had this to say in a statement:

“Over the last year, I heard increasingly from neighborhood leaders and our elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners that they wanted Ward 6 added to the growing list of wards prohibiting the sale of singles,” commented Mr. Wells. Wards 4, 7 and 8 have previously enacted similar bans on single sales. The legislation passed on Tuesday adds Ward 6, Ward 2 and parts of Ward 1.

“More often than not, single sales of alcohol are bought so they can be consumed as soon as you walk out the door – turning alleys and backyards into public restrooms and leaving empty bottles strewn through our neighborhoods,” stated Wells

Like earlier bans on single sales enacted in various neighborhoods, ANCs can grant exemptions to the rule, much like Logan Circle has for Whole Foods. (A good lesson for an elected official -- don't come between a voter and his 22-ounce bottle of Belgian Trappist ale.)

Interestingly, the part of Ward 1 included in the legislation -- Mt. Pleasant -- has actually voted against the imposition of such a ban. In early September, ANC 1D, which covers Mt. Pleasant, voted unanimously on a resolution calling for the Council to remove the neighborhood from the legislation. In the resolution, the ANC commissioners noted that the ban "merely causes these Chronic Public Inebriates to take their unpleasant behavior into adjacent neighborhoods, where there is no ban." One commissioner, Jack McKay, has become something of a champion of doing away with such bans, much to the chagrin of some of his constituents. (If you have the time, just read through the extended discussion on the issue in this Mt. Pleasant online forum.)

The issue will likely keep coming up, as it was even a question thrown to the candidates vying for the two At-Large seats up for election this November in a recent debate. Of seven hopefuls, only Statehood Green candidate David Schwartzman expressed opposition to the bans, calling them "discriminatory." Current Council member Carol Schwartz, who is fighting to keep her seat as a write-in candidate, said she supported the bans, though she admitted that they targeted the working poor and did nothing to attack chronic alcoholism.

The one remaining ban-free part of the city is the place where you'd least imagine someone stopping in their local liquor store to by a 40-ounce bottle of Hurricane Malt Liquor -- Ward 3. (Watch out, Friendship Heights and Spring Valley!) Interestingly, the Examiner reported yesterday that the Council may soon consider a measure that would allow bars and restaurants to sell six packs to go, similar to how it works in Baltimore, and permit on-site consumption of alcoholic drinks in grocery and liquor stores. So while we're losing the single beers, we could end up gaining a more liberal alcohol sales regime.

The Weekly Feed: A Touch of Salt Edition

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Dish of the Week: Mascarpone-stuffed dates with sea salt

Where: Komi

Congratulations to Komi, which received a fourth star in the 2008 Washington Post Dining Guide. A definite splurge for most diners, most visitors to Komi find themselves wowed by the clean, simple flavors of the dishes and great technique. More than just fine dining, it is a place to take pleasure in really good, simple things.

One of Komi's signature dishes is the mascarpone-stuffed dates sprinkled with sea salt. It is a simple recipe in practice, but as was pointed out by Todd Kliman in his chog this week, is complicated in execution. The dates need to spend just the right amount of time in the oven to get the perfect point of caramelization without burning.

For those who want to try and sample the luxury without the dough (a.k.a. those paying attention to all the screaming newspaper headlines that make you want to buy gold coins and stuff them under your mattress), you can try out Eat DC's recipe, which she admits isn't quite the same. It just verifies the fact that Komi deserves its place at the top of the local list, joining CityZen, Restaurant Eve, and the Inn at Little Washington.

As for the rest of the Guide, it was a surprising list. Some notables have lost stars (Citronelle) or dropped off the list completely (Vidalia). A chain restaurant, Nando's Peri Peri, found its way on to the list with its admittedly delicious grilled chicken. Equally surprising is Tom Sietsema's continued love affair with Jaleo, to which he awarded three stars, making it equal to Proof. Great Wall Szechuan House seemed to be a token cheap eats in D.C. pick, especially in the face of the great Szechuan fare at Hong Kong Palace in Falls Church. Et Voila was a Belgian shocker at 2.5 stars - a recent visit included Sysco-like frozen fries and a mediocre steak in a cheap red wine sauce.

As usual, the Guide seems a little detached from reality, especially in these trying times. Sietsema writes in his introduction, "We've consolidated all the basic information you want about every restaurant -- location, type of cuisine, star ratings and the page number of the review -- into one index." Excuse us, but what about prices? Now, more than ever, it is important to talk about price, not just value. And giving a nod to the economy in your introduction is not enough. We want a cheap eats guide, and fast.

Photo by EssG

Small Bites

Serious DC Dining

This week, the Washington Post's Jane Black takes a shot at her own form of a dining guide on Serious Eats. Filled with a lot of safe and decent choices, this may serve as a slightly better guide for the cash-strapped.

Fly for free at Culinaerie

This Saturday at the 14th and U St. farmer's market, there will be cooking demonstrations by Juiliette Tahar of Healthy Living, Inc. (10 a.m.) and Susan Holt, co-owner of CulinAerie (11:30 a.m.). All market attendees will be able to participate in a raffle for a free cooking class for two at Culinaerie. At the same time, pick up some kiwi berries, bitter melon (for the more adventurous), as well as apples, pears and other fall items.

Just one more of those crazies

Enjoying cooking and have some slight psychological problems? Great. You might want to try out for Hell's Kitchen. The Gordan Ramsay show will be holding a casting session at the Hard Rock Cafe on October 20. Given the past few seasons, crying hysterically as you cook might just land you a spot.

Thanks to This Week's Advertisers

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on DCist.

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Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over the River at the Phillips Collection

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Over the River, Project for Arkansas River, State of Colorado is on view at the Phillips Collection as part of the current exhibit documenting Christo and Jeanne-Claude's upcoming environmental installation in Colorado. Image copyright the artist.

Arguably the most well-known husband and wife duo in today’s art world is Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the pair who wrapped the Reichstag and draped Central Park. They’re at it again, and this time, Colorado’s Arkansas River is the subject. While the environmental installation is not anticipated until at least 2012, the Phillips Collection's new exhibit Over the River is the first to highlight the work in progress.

DCist previewed the work on Monday in a tour led by the artists and their thirteen project assistants. Never leaving each other’s side, Christo and Jeanne-Claude were both friendly and quirky. While they welcomed photographs, Jeanne-Claude, with her rainbow red hair and shockingly pink lipstick, repeatedly insisted distance, stating “You’re too close. We are 73,” and “I don’t want to be seen from so close. Then, I look like a fish.”

While one could easily think that the artists don’t have any new tricks up their sleeves (Another wrapping project? Puhlease!), Christo denies repetitiveness stating, “We will never do the same things again…because physically we know how the project should be done.” For Christo and Jeanne-Claude, each project holds new challenges and explores new ideas. What remains constant is the interaction with the human and natural environment, the laborious approval process of public art, and the artists’ sheer persistence in the face of refusal.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude spoke to the press on Monday at the Phillips Collection about their new exhibit.

The idea for Over the River was realized in 1985 during the wrapping of Paris’ Pont Neuf, when both artists were mesmerized by the reflection of the light and water on the wind-blown fabric. Once installed, Over the River will span forty miles of the heavily-rafted Arkansas River two hours south of Denver. Panels of luminous fabric will be suspended eight to 25 feet above the river by approximately one thousand steel cables. The fabric will flow naturally with the river—each panel measuring the exact width of the water, with many sections disrupted by bridges, rocks and trees. In all, the translucent fabric will cover less than six miles of the forty mile stretch. Although light and water can both transfer with ease through the fabric, the artists have paid for an extensive environmental impact study to ensure no harm will be done during the installation’s two-week lifespan.

The exhibit at the Phillips spans the development of the project from its inception in 1992 through the artistic, bureaucratic and engineering processes of the past sixteen years. These processes are documented with photographs of meetings, site visits and test installations, as well as Christo’s drawings and paintings of the fabric’s interaction with its proposed environs. Also on view are some of the physical elements that will be used in the installation, including the fabric panels and steel cables, as well as the 2,029-page planning report submitted to the Bureau of Land Management.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over the River is on view at the Phillips Collection from October 11 through January 25. The museum is located at 1600 21st Street NW and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Out and About: Weekend Picks

Gary Ollsen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:39:50 GMT

FRIDAY:

>> Read our film picks of the week, featuring the D.C. Labor Film Fest at the AFI Silver.

>> Warehouse hosts the fifth annual 24-hour Drawing Project, founded by artists Kendall Nordin and Hannah Bertram. A group of artists will "draw," doing whatever that happens to mean to them, from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Stop by to see it all unfold as it happens.

>> Veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq will discuss their experiences at the Folger Shakespeare Library at 8 p.m. in a panel titled In the Quagmire: America at War. Clarence Page will moderate. Tickets cost $15.

>> Pianist Jacky Terrasson, two time Grammy nominee and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, will be appearing at Bohemian Caverns this weekend for two nights of special solo piano performances. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday are $32.

>> Dischord legends Shudder to Think reunite for an early show at the 9:30 Club. Read our interview with guitarist Nathan Larson. Experimental Philly duo Pattern Is Movement open -- we interviewed them last time they were in town. 6 p.m. doors, $20.

>> Get your body moving at the Black Cat tonight with Venezuela's Los Amigos Invisibles and Bio Ritmo, who are also celebrating their CD release. 9 p.m., $23 in advance, $25 day of show.

>> Girl Talk is totally sold-out, but drown your sorrows with our interview with the man himself.

>> Local rock fans should head to catch Middle Distance Runner celebrating their 100th show at Iota. New Rock Church of Fire opens. 9 p.m., $12.

SATURDAY:

>> Foodies will be at Taste of Georgetown, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sample food and wine from a long list of Georgetown restaurants. Tasting tickets cost $5, and it's $10 to enter the wine pavilion.

>> The Can A Sista Rock A Mic? Festival hosts its big closing night party in Downtown Silver Spring. Slated to perform are Emoni Fela, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Emily King, soulful singer/keyboardist Angela Johnson, Josephine Silla, New York duo Nola Darling, Dehejia Maat, Yoko K./aphrodizia, Deborah Bond, Ne’a Posey, and Teisha Marie. Free, 4 p.m.

>> The brand new Hamiltonian Gallery hosts an opening launch party at their space at 1353 U Street NW. Stay tuned to read our sneak peak inside the gallery, which will focus on emerging and mid-career artists. Reception is 7 to 10 p.m.

>> David Gedge and company are back with more material under The Wedding Present moniker. Jealous Girlfriends open, at the Black Cat. 9 p.m., $15.

>> German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will officially open the WPAS fall season tonight at 8 p.m., in a concert with Camerata Salzburg. Her program at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall will include three Bach concertos and the Tartini violin sonata known as the "Devil's Trill." The concert also serves as publicity for Mutter's latest album, released this month, which just happens to include the two Bach solo violin concertos on the program. Tickets: $42 to $107.

SUNDAY:

>> Chamber-pop act Ra Ra Riot stop by the Black Cat for what should be a great Sunday night show, with Walter Meego and The Morning Benders. 8:30 p.m., $12. Still, we're a little disappointed... no VS. holiday weekend dance party tonight?

>> Swiss pianist Gilles Vonsattel will play a free recital at 6:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art. The program includes music by Bach, Liszt, Muhly, Rorem, and Schubert. Enter the West Building at the Constitution Ave. entrance, at 6th St. NW.

Photo by Pixilista