Mar/Apr 2011: FLASH
CRYSTAL CITY BID AND FOTODC ANNOUNCE A MONTH OF PHOTO-RELATED EVENTS, CONTESTS AND PARTIES – FREE ADMITTANCE
FLASH – PHOTO EXHIBIT
FLASH AFTER DASH – AFTER 5K RACE PHOTO PARTIES
FLASH AFTER DASH – AFTER 5K RACE PHOTO PARTIES
Nightly Wine Tastings Too
March 17 – April 17, 2011
From March 17 to April 17, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) will partner with FotoDC for a month of incredible imagery, parties and special events. Included in the month-long celebration are FLASH: a month-long photo exhibit and FLASH after DASH: parties that will take place after 5K Fridays, the springtime favorite race throughout Crystal City on Fridays in April. FLASH will represent a total photographic immersion featuring works from across the thematic spectrum – from documentary to fine art with every genre represented. Even wine tastings will be available, brought to you by the Washington Wine Academy!
The opening party will take place on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 8:00-11:00 PM, and you’re invited! (Details below.)
FLASH: THE UNCOVER / DISCOVER SERIES
FLASH is a celebration of new and re-discovered photography. This winter, FotoDC embarked on an intensive FotoQuest throughout the metropolitan area using a two-pronged approach in search of great work by local photographers. With the support of five renowned curators, FotoDC culled through over 6,500 images submitted by hundreds of local photographers. FLASH exhibits the results of FotoQuest in two shows – The Uncover/Discover Series.
The Uncover Series
To seek out and spotlight local photography, FotoDC launched FotoQuest, a metropolitan area search for photographic excellence. On Sunday, February 6th, 2011, five members of a high-profile judging panel – composed of Molly Roberts, photography editor at Smithsonian Magazine; Philip Brookman, chief curator and head of research at the Corcoran Gallery of Art; Avi Gupta, photo editor at U.S. News & World Report; Philippa Hughes, chief creative at Pink Line Project, and Amanda Maddox, associate curator of photography and media arts at the Corcoran Gallery of Art - gathered at the Corcoran Gallery of Art & College of Design to meet and review the work of 165 regional photographers. Each curator selected five photographers whose work represented a cohesive and creative vision, with technical excellence, for a total representation of twenty-five.
Irene Abdou was reviewed and selected by Molly Roberts, photo editor at Smithsonian Magazine, to exhibit five photographs from her body of Africa cultural photography. Three of the five images are from her most recent trip to Burkina Faso in November 2010, and four of the images have never before been exhibited.
“Wrapped in Blue,” 18×24 Framed
“Cooking on an Open Fire V,” 16×20 Framed
“The Griot’s Work is Never Done IV,” 16×20 Framed
“Doohoobe II,” 16×20 Framed
“Breakfast in Bed,” 16×20 Framed
Said Molly Roberts, Photography Editor at Smithsonian Magazine, “It’s said that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. As photographers, we are witnesses of the full range of life: tragedy/love, outrage/wonder, curiousity/conviction, degradation/grandeur. And yet, even in the bleakest landscapes, as in the most alluring, beauty is found in the quality of light, the range of color, the interaction of design, and the stilling of a moment. A record the beholder passes on to those who stop to look.”
The Discover Series
In line with FotoDC’s mission, the goal of FotoQuest was to showcase the wide range of work and talent originating from the Washington, DC area. Multiple portfolios were reviewed by the FotoDC Panel, which consists of board and advisory board members of FotoDC. Selections were made from over 6,500 images submitted by over 250 photographers. As images were projected for consideration, there was almost unanimous agreement on the standouts. Images were viewed anonymously and the criteria applied required that a series of photographs exhibited a consistency of vision and the ability to “show us something we haven’t seen before and cannot ignore”. The 30 photographers selected for this exhibition by the FotoDC Panel showcase the strength of vision that exists here in Washington DC. FotoDC panelists for The Discover Series consisted of Theo Adamstein, Peter Garfield, Larissa Leclair, and Irene Owsley.
FOTOBOOKS
The FotoBooks exhibition includes 150 books selected from FotoDC’s 500+ volume library of international photography books published between 2008 and 2010.
FOTOLOUNGE
FLASH’s FotoLounge offers refreshments and a space for discussions and networking in a relaxed lounge setting.
FLASH AFTER DASH
April 1, 8 and 15, 2011 after 6:30 PM 5K Race
FREE with a racing bib
Every Friday in April, the Crystal City BID in partnership with Pacers, hosts 5K Fridays – 5 kilometer race through the streets of Crystal City that starts at 6:30 PM. For the three Fridays that coincide with gallery hours of FLASH, runners will be invited to FLASH after DASH: for an after party. Runners will be provided with a complimentary drink and enjoy the lounge atmosphere and photography exhibit. The Washington Wine Academy will also be hosting wine tastings.
Details:
Opening Party
Friday, March 18, 8:00-11:00 PM
2450 Crystal Drive, Crystal City, VA
Metro: Crystal City
Viewing Hours:
Exhibit dates: March 17-April 17, 2011
Mondays and Tuesdays: closed (available for private events)
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5 PM – 10 PM
Fridays: 5PM – 11 PM
Saturdays: Noon – 11 PM
Sundays: Noon – 7 PM
Media R.S.V.P.: Members of the media who need more information, images of exhibited photos or would like to attend the media preview on Thursday, April 17th, should contact Laura Gross,lgross@scottcircle.com or at 202-207-3645, c: 202-255-2054.
About the Crystal City Business Improvement District
The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.
About FotoDC & FotoWeek DC
Founded in 2008, FotoWeek DC has evolved from a city-centric photography festival to a multi-season tribute — with international appeal– to photography in all its forms. FotoDC celebrates the transformative power of photography through the exhibition of inspiring and provocative images, diverse programming, and collaboration with the local and international community. FotoWeek DC continues to play a central role in FotoDC programming, with its annual festival in November.
Whether through photojournalism, fine art photography, or the work of emerging artists, FotoDC provides a dynamic, evocative, engaging experience for photographers, cultural institutions, galleries, curators, schools, area residents and tens of thousands of visitors to the Nation’s Capital.
In just three short years, FotoDC is Everywhere You See.
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IRENE ABDOU PHOTOGRAPHY
Where Creativity Never Stops at Good Enough
