A Life Cut Short Muñoz Retrospective Includes Dramatic Sculptures, Drawings by Gary Tischler It was meant to be a view of the artist at mid-career. Now, "Juan Muñoz," at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, is a full-blown career retrospective of the art and works of the great Spanish artist and sculptor who died shockingly at the age of 48 of an aneurysm in August. The exhibition—nearly 60 sculptures, installations, drawings—has an unfinished feel to it, or rather the feel of an unfinished life. It as if Muñoz’s figures, captured this way or that way, or standing or sitting incomplete, have places to go, shapes to change into.... Conversations With the Land Icelandic Landscape Plays Major Role in ‘Confronting Nature’ Exhibit by Serena Lei see also: Cold as Ice by Gary Tischler The Icelandic art exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art begins with a panoramic landscape—oil on canvas, blue skies, a dormant, snow-capped volcano in the background—and ends with a disturbing video installation—three projectors playing distorted images of nature accompanied by a soundtrack of unrecognizable noises. ... Enter the Actor Artistic Director of Gala Gives Commanding Performance on Stage by Gary Tischler Over the years, it’s become fairly clear that Hugo Medrano, the artistic director of Gala Hispanic Theatre, is something of a theatrical treasure in Washington, D.C. As a pioneer of Hispanic theater in the Washington area, as a teacher, a founder and director, Medrano—with considerable help from his wife Rebecca—has built a kind of monument within the theater community. It’s not only that Gala Hispanic Theatre, which has survived and grown, has for a long time provided the only source of Spanish-speaking theater in an area with a growing Hispanic population...

Sign and Symbols French Artist Paints What He Sees as Being ‘Essentially American’ by Gary Tischler Americans, everyone loves the Impressionists," said Roland Celette. "This is true, but I think perhaps one of the most important part of my job is to introduce America to new French generations of artists, to new ideas, new art..... Dining: Afghan Friend Authentic Food, Moderate Prices Distinguish Afghan Grill by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana The first thing we noticed when walking up the stairs to the second floor of the Afghan Grill on Calvert Street near the corner of Connecticut in were two American flags in the Afghan restaurant’s alcove window, as if the setting were a shrine... Events Kicking Up a Racket Re-released ‘Iron Monkey’ Gives Donnie Yen Second Chance by Ky N. Nguyen When Asians see Hong Kong actor-director Donnie Yen on the street, they call him "Chen Zhen"... Film Reviews: ‘2001’ in 2001 Re-released Film Offers Once-in-a-Lifetime Sensory Experience by Ky N. Nguyen • With Love, ‘Who Knows?’ • ‘Amélie’ From Montmartre • Color Neorealism • One Big Happy Family • A Quest for Family • Zorro in China • Repertory Notes Film Directory/Cinema International Film Clips