August 2003












  Washington Diplomat
  PO Box 1345
  Wheaton, MD 20915
  Tel: 301.933.3552
  Fax: 301.949.0065








EVENTS

**Admission is free unless otherwise noted. All information on event venues can be found on The Washington Diplomat Web site at www.washdiplomat.com. Times and locations are subject to change. Unless listed, please call venue for specific event times and hours of operation.

ART

Through Aug. 1
Reflections of Architecture
Paintings by Joey P. M·nlapaz provide a unique insight into architectural design and effects.
The American Institute of Architects

Through Aug. 2
Elizabeth I, Then and Now
Four hundred years after her death, Englandís Elizabeth I continues to attract intense interest, as seen in this far-reaching retrospective culled from the Folgerís own extensive holdings.
Folger Shakespeare Library

Through Aug. 4
Portraits of Places
Donít miss the last days of ìPortraits of Places,î which showcases American Impressionist Childe Frederick Hassamís etchings, his eloquent lithographs and a selection of his well-known paintings.
Corcoran Gallery of Art

Through Aug. 9
Love and Time
This dual exhibition showcases Bulgarian artist George Kotchev, who depicts individuals and relationships in an expressionist and surreal style, and his wife, Nadia, whose oil paintings reflect a wide range of moods, from vibrant tropical scenes that emanate light and heat to more subdued, pensive group portraits.
International Visions ñ The Gallery

Through Aug. 10
Auto * Focus: Raghubir Singhís Way Into India
ìAuto * Focus,î one of Raghubir Singhís last great projects, combines the photographerís passions for color and the Indian landscape with his fascination for the Ambassador car, an omnipresent symbol of modern India.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Through Aug. 10
Carpets of Andalusia
During the period of Muslim rule over the Iberian Peninsulaómodern-day Spainócarpet weaving was introduced into the region, and the practice continues to reflect an impressive amalgamation of cultural traditions.
The Textile Museum

Through Aug. 14
Front Page: The Photographs of Arthur Ellis
Longtime Washington Post photographer Arthur Ellis, who died in 1989, was a fixture at the Post for nearly 50 years. His images, 60 of which are now on display, capture the essence of the nationís capital from the í30s to the early í70s.
Corcoran Gallery of Art

Aug. 15 to Oct. 6
Census 03: New Art From DC
Borrowing its title from the federal population survey, ìCensus 03î sho wcases the continually evolving Washington art scene with a diverse batch of local artists.
Corcoran Gallery of Art

Through Aug. 17
Windows Into Heaven: Russian Icons From 1650-1917
A fixture of Russian culture for more than 1,000 years, the icon was a focal point of faith that helped spread the gospel to people throughout Russia, boasting its own storied history, as illustrated in this unique exhibit.
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

Aug. 20 to Jan. 3, 2004
Fakes, Forgeries, Facsimiles
The Folgerís curators display some deceptive collection items to help viewers learn more about forgeries, how to product them and how to detect them.
Folger Shakespeare Library

Through Aug. 24
From the Atom to the Cosmos
Taking their cue from nature, space, scientific equations and everyday technical wonders, Washington-area artists explore the sciences through an artistic light.
The Foundry Gallery

Through Aug. 29
Klaus KinskióWerner Herzog: Photographs From Beat Presser
Swiss photographer Beat Presser juxtaposes images of filmmakers Kinski and Herzog, shedding light on both menís controversial personalities and their fruitful, if strange, relationship.
Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes

Through Sept. 1
Sir Edmund Hillary: Everest and Beyond
In this challenging interactive exhibit, learn more about the man who made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest and his many humanitarian achievements since that historic ascent.
National Geographic Explorers Hall

Through Sept. 3
Ancient Manuscripts From the Desert Libraries of Timbuktu
A wide range of manuscripts from Mali provide important insights into the cultural heritage of Africaís largest nation in this exhibit presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Library of Congress

Through Sept. 7
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture in a New Light
ìNew Lightî studies the long and complicated history of devotional objects created in China for Buddhist worship, which became so popular that they spawned the manufacture of forgeries bought by foreign collectors over time.
Freer Gallery of Art

Through Sept. 7
Isamu Noguchi and Modern Japanese Ceramics
Best known for his abstract stone sculpture, public plazas, and lamp and furniture designs, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) also produced a radically original body of ceramic art during three visits to Japan, 43 of which are now on display.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Through Sept. 7
Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828): Sculptor of the Enlightenment
Houdon is universally recognized as the greatest European portrait sculptor of the last half the 18th century; however, despite his fame, this markís Houdonís first major monographic exhibit.
National Gallery of Art

Through Sept. 7
Mamluk Rugs From Egypt: Jewels of The Textile Museumís Collection
The Textile Museum displays its prized collection of Mamluk rugs, extremely rare carpets that are considered to be among the finest in the world.
The Textile Museum

Through Sept. 7
Marsden Hartley
The Phillips presents the first retrospective in 20 years of early American modernist Marsden Hartley, who belonged to a circle of artists promoted by photographer and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz.
The Phillips Collection

Through Sept. 12
2003 American Institute of Architects Honor Awards
This exhibit spotlights the 2003 AIA winners, the professionís highest recognition for excellence in architecture, interiors and urban design.
American Institute of Architects

Through Sept. 14
Days of Danger
Sculptor Carol Kreeger Davidsonís 1995 series ìDays of Dangerî depicts seven large, smooth metal figures that represent archetypal warrior goddesses in this thought-provoking expression of power and aggression.
National Museum of Women in the Arts

Through Sept. 14
Lesley Dill: A Ten-Year Survey
Multifaceted artist Lesley Dill uses rich textures and layered meanings to explore the boundaries between mind, body and spirit and the importance of language in creating our identities.
National Museum of Women in the Arts

Through Sept. 15
Gloria et Miseria
In cooperation with the city gallery of Bratislava in the Slovak Republic, ìGloria et Miseriaî displays the versatility and mastery of Central European printers from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Embassy of Slovakia

Through Sept. 15
Karl-Heinz KolleróA Retrospective
This retrospective examines how photographer Karl-Heinz Koller created simple, mesmerizing images using techniques such as blurring definition, mingling negatives, and shooting multiple exposures of circular, interweaving structures.
Embassy of Austria

Through Sept. 21
The Fabric of Moroccan Life
This landmark exhibit showcases 67 rare, brightly colored Moroccan textiles to paint a picture of the countryís diverse cultures and traditions over the past three centuries.
National Museum of African Art

Through Sept. 28
Small Wonders: Dutch Still Lifes by Adriaen Coorte
This exhibit marks the first U.S. presentation of works by Adriaen Coorte, a remarkable but largely unrecognized still-life painter who lived in the Netherlands during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
National Gallery of Art

Through Oct. 5
Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science
Reflecting two voicesócurator and conservatoróìEthiopian Iconsî explores the potent imagery of icons using the museumís own collection, which recently underwent a technical analysis and conservation treatment.
National Museum of African Art

Through Oct. 5
Ethiopian Passages: Dialogues in the Diaspora
Commemorating the centennial anniversary of U.S.-Ethiopian diplomatic relations, this is the first major exhibition devoted to the contemporary visual arts of the Ethiopian Diaspora.
National Museum of African Art

Through Oct. 12
Whistler and Cassatt: Americans Abroad
Spectacular views of Venice, London and Paris by U.S. expatriate artists James McNeill Whistler and Mary Cassatt recall the romance of Europe in nearly 100 prints and drawings from the BMAís collection.
Baltimore Museum of Art

Through Oct. 19
Visual Arts of the Americas: Canada and the United States
Prints, paintings, drawings and photographs by a multitude of Canadian and U.S. artists are the centerpiece of this internationally eclectic collection.
Georgetown University
Lauinger Library

Through Nov. 29
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis and Clark and the Revealing of America
The highlight of this Lewis and Cl ark exhibit is the only known copy of Martin Waldseem¸kkerís 1507 world map, an ambitious project originally undertaken in France that gave the name ìAmericaî to the lands explored by Columbus and Vespucci.
Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson Building

Through Nov. 30
Insomnia: Landscapes of the Night
From peaceful dreams to the dark catacombs of nightmares, 30 artists probe the effects of nightfall on an artistís perception and imagination.
National Museum of Women in the Arts

Through Nov. 30
Journeys and Destinations: African Artists on the Move
ìJourneys and Destinationsî examines the migration of the African Diaspora in Europe and America and how these artists have negotiated their changing cultural and personal identities.
National Museum of African Art

Through Dec. 31
Myths of St. Petersburg: Impressions of the City From the Hillwood Collection
To honor the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, the Hillwood Museum has compiled more than 50 objects that examine the famed cityís symbolic meaning and its place in Russian history.
Hillwood Museum and Gardens

Through Jan. 4, 2004
Gyroscope
To celebrate its 13th anniversary, the Hirshhorn launches a museum-wide exhibition that showcases its collection of modern and contemporary art. Encompassing nearly 40 thematic installations, ìGyroscopeî encourages visitors to experience art from a variety of perspectives, each designed to provoke curiosity, discovery and revelation.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Through Jan. 4, 2004
Tales and Legends in Japanese Art
Japanese paintings and objects that use imagery to weave intricate tales and legends reveal the countryís rich narrative traditions.
Freer Gallery of Art

Through Jan. 4, 2004
Tea Utensils Under Wraps
In Japan, where tea ceremony vessels are treasured as works of art, tea connoisseurs have devised some creative and decorative storage solutions for protecting their utensils while theyíre not in use.
Freer Gallery of Art

Through Jan. 5, 2004
The Art of Resist Dyeing
Representing an assortment of cultures, 25 objects demonstrate the various methods of resist dyeing, a method of textile patterning and decoration.
The Textile Museum

Through Jan. 11, 2004
The Mountain of the Lord
Five detailed models of the temples built on the ancient Temple Mount in Jerusalem give visitors the chance to explore these sacred sites firsthand.
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

Through Feb. 1, 2004
Whistlerís Greatest Etchings: The 1889 Amsterdam Set
Thirteen exquisitely detailed etchings from James McNeill Whistlerís visit to Amsterdamówidely considered to be his greatest achievementóare the focus of this engrossing exhibit.
Freer Gallery of Art

Through April 2004
The Impressionist Tradition in America
The Corcoran uses its collection of Impressionist works by Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and others with ties to Europe to illustrate the evolution of American Impression, complementing a related exhibit, ìBeyond the Frame: Impressionism Revisited: The Sculptures of J. Seward Johnson Jr.,î which runs concurrently with ìImpressionist Tradition.î
Corcoran Gallery of Art

Through June 1, 2004
The East Building: Celebrating 25 Years
This special installation highlights the history of the East Building, its construction and its ever-growing collection of modern art through architectural drawings and other archival material.
National Gallery of Art

LECTURES

Sun., Aug. 3, 10, 17, 2 p.m.
Five African American Artists
This special summer slide lecture and discussion series highlights works by William H. Johnson of Harlem (Aug. 3), Washington-based silkscreen artist Lou Stovall (Aug. 10) and Alma Thomas (Aug. 17).
National Gallery of Art
East Building Auditorium

Wed., Aug. 6, 7 p.m.
Spies in the Skies: From the Cold War to the War in Iraq
Three experts trace the history of overhead-surveillance technology, which has become an indispensable tool for collecting intelligence, and share their personal insights on how this technology is used and what limitations it may have. Tickets are $13; advance registration is required.
International Spy Museum

Sat., Aug. 9, 11 a.m.
Spy School: Codes and Secret Writing
This hands-on workshop (for children ages 11 to 15) shows you how to become a spy savvy code master as you navigate the ancient art of cryptology, revealing the secrets of the Cardano grille, the Roman scytale and the seemingly simple cipher disk. Tickets are $20; advance registration is required.
International Spy Museum

Sun., Aug. 10, 3 p.m.
Silk Road Stories About Travel
Join local volunteers with cultural ties to the ancient Silk Road as they share traditional stories from their homelands, with a special travel presentation this month beside an Indian Ambassador car and a Pakistani truck.
Freer Gallery of Art

Sun., Aug. 24, 2 p.m.
The Burning of Washington
Noted author Anthony Pitch recounts the British invasion of Washington in 1814, discussing the Octagonís historic treaty box that carried the document ending the war to President Madison. Tickets are $7 or $5 for Octagon members.
The Octagon Museum

MUSIC

Thu., Aug. 14, 7 p.m.
Axiom of Choice
Experience the Persian-based sounds of the Axiom of Choice, a quartet of Iranian ÈmigrÈ musicians that fuses the traditional Iranian flute, fiddle and percussion with the guitar and cello.
Freer Gallery of Art

Through Aug. 29
Jazz in the Garden
Every Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m., enjoy the warm Washington weather with a mix of local jazz bands as they perform in front of the Pavilion CafÈ, next to the grand reflecting pool and fountain.
National Gallery of Art

THEATER

Through Aug. 2
All the Great Books (Abridged)
The Reduced Shakespeare Company, Londonís longest-running comedy troupe, unleashes its new comic romp that gives ìspeed readingî an uproarious new meaning. Tickets are $36 to $41.
Kennedy Center
Terrace Theater

Through Aug. 3
Little Red Riding Hood
Classikaís Green Parrot Puppet Theatre presents the popular childrenís tale set to original scores and performed with grand, European-style puppets. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
Classika Theatre

Through Aug. 10
Monster
This new adaptation of Mary Shelleyís goth ic masterpiece follows the doomed scientist through his single-minded inquisition into the alchemy of life and death. Tickets are $15 to $35.
Olney Theatre Center

Through Aug. 10
Piaf, Crave, No Manís Land
Potomac Theatre Project presents three concurrently running shows: ìPiafî about the famed French songstress; ìCrave,î a searing portrait about the deepest recesses of the human mind; and ìNo Manís Land,î in which the lines between a wealthy man and a shabby poet begin to blur after a night of drinking. Tickets are $15 to $35.
Olney Theatre Center

Through Aug. 10
Polaroid Stories
Naomi Iizukaís ìPolaroid Storiesî combines classical mythology and powerful real-life narratives by homeless young people to create a provocative tale of survival in contemporary society.
The Studio Theatre

Aug. 12 to 24
Translations of Xhosa
Over the course of a day, a young American confronts her womanhood on a startling coming-of-age journey through the cultural and political climate of South Africa. Tickets are $15 to $35.
Olney Theatre Center

Aug. 26 to Oct. 19
The Rivals
This jewel of Restoration comedy, written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan in 1774, is an unconventional romance brimming with wit and emotion. Please call for ticket information.
The Shakespeare Theatre

Aug. 27 to Sept. 14
Nijinskyís Last Dance
This one-man play by Norman Allen, winner of four Helen Hayes Awards, tells the story of the legendary yet ill-fated dancer through a well-choreographed monologue that describes his life in a series of flashbacks. Tickets are $25 to $30.
Kennedy Center
Terrace Theater

Join our e-list for the latest monthly diplomatic news





Would you like to become a WashDiplomat sponsor?