Pop-Up Gala Kick-Off Cocktail Party
This past Thursday we had a cocktail party to celebrate the five teams who have been developing the pop-up art spaces that will be displayed around the city beginning in mid-April. The kick-off party was in the new addition to the H Street neighborhood’s art scene - Industry Gallery (right above Conner Contemporary).
Walking from the Metro, rain beginning to fall and the wind whipping dirt into my eyes, I had two thoughts running through my head: “What is with this weather?” and “Where am I?” The first still remains unanswered, while the latter concluded a few moments later as we finally happened upon Industry Gallery.
Walking inside I was met by a vast array of unusual functional art pieces. After speaking with a few guests, finding out there were much easier ways to get to the gallery (check out a free shuttle on H Street for instance) and getting myself a glass of white wine, I proceeded to explore the gallery.
The current show features work by Tejo Remy and Rene Veenhuizen. There were chairs that at first appear to be inflatable, but with further investigation are discovered to be poured concrete. There were intricate felt-fabric rugs and wooden pieces with fascinating lines. There was also a small display promoting the gallery’s next show; a collection of furniture made from melting a form out of mounds of rope and other plastic materials.
Since it’s opening in January, Craig Applebaum (the owner of the Industry Gallery) has made functional art his primary focus. It seemed a fitting venue for an event by an organization whose main objective is to provide functional spaces for artists.
The CEO of the CuDC, Anne Corbett and the President of the Board, Michael Abrams gave short speeches. Craig welcome everyone to the gallery and in refreshing contrast to the the “stay-behind-the line” attitude we’ve come to associate with art venues, he encouraged everyone in the room to touch and sit on all the furniture. The artist of the next show, Tom Price also said a few words about his upcoming exhibit. The general tone of the evening was one of excitement and pride for the upcoming gala and the art being produced for it.
After doing one more round of the gallery, no longer feeling guilty for sneaking a touch here and there, and sitting on some surprisingly comfortable pieces of art, the night wound down and the guests began to leave. All-in-all if this kick-off is any sign of what’s to come, I fully expect a successful May 1st evening ahead of us.
