Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine
WSD PAINT THE TOWN

Paint It ... Green
Coloring our world, artists use an increasingly natural palette

B Y B E T H F A R N S T R O M
Living close to the earth didn’t always signify being hip and eco-friendly. Bugs live close to the earth. In earlier times, serfs wearing rough-sewn smocks colored with vegetable dye slept barely a notch above it, on straw pallets. Today, eco is chic. There are vegan suede stilettos; Salma Hayek and Cameron Diaz zip around the Hills in sexy little hybrid roadsters. But what’s the state of eco-art? Pigment was once as precious (and as symbolic) as gold; a painting could be a literal “show” of status. Making artwork, then, with twigs and cow urine, wouldn’t signify “environmentally conscious” or “close to the earth, spiritually” as much as “crazy peasant.” In our century, Italian
art critic Germano Celant introduced the term Arte Povera, or “poor art,” to describe the work of artists who used sticks, rocks, and and other “common” materials. The draw then was more likely political – common art for the common man – but it certainly paved the way for artists who use natural materials today.ONTHE“NATURE” OFTHINGS Shinji Turner-Yamamoto’s recent Shigeko Bork Mu Project (1521 Wisconsin Ave. NW) exhibit, “De Rerum Natura: On the Nature of Things” (through April 25), has such close ties to the natural world that (in some cases) the environment actually laid down the brushwork. For his colorful “Rainbow” series, raindrops fell onto a layer of ash to form abstract patterns. Another Turner-Yamamoto project, “Three Windows: Sun, Moon, Star,” will open at the Embassy of Japan’s (2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW) lovely ippaku-tei (teahouse) on the 17th of this month. Even while reaching for the stars, this artist still remains rooted in the community. He’s been at work on a “seeding project,” with elementary science students to germinate seeds and to create small gardens, to be made later into a large-scale installation. SHOP LOCALLY THEME GLOBALLY Environmental art can also mean on-site, or site-specific art. Brian Corrigan’s “14th Street and the Creative Economy” (a Spring 2008 course at the Corcoran College of Art and Design) will engage students with the small business community in the emerging 14th Street neighborhood (and unofficial Gallery Row of the District, according to many) of northwest Washington. Students will conduct research and create window installations for select retailers (among them Muleh, Vastu, and Home Rule). An event will be held in May to unveil and auction off the window displays to raise money for a student scholarship.
Mitchell in the realm of modern songwriting” – and her well-crafted, literate songs, with their jazz and soul influences and seductive hooks, are the reason why. At Blues Alley, Debbie presented two sets which displayed her vocal artistry on piano and guitar. She was accompanied by Jim Whitney on bass and John Mettam on drums. It was John’s birthday, and he received a rousing “Happy Birthday” serenade.
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