NEWS

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Rebecca Key: Archetype
 September 10 - October 15, 2010

(click here for full press release PDF)

Transformer is proud to present Liverpool, UK based artist Rebecca Key in her first US solo exhibition. Rebecca creates installations that question the creative process and explore the background narrative of artists, artworks and galleries. In her work she references buildings where galleries are housed, their social contexts and their associated preconceptions.

With Archetype, Rebecca investigates the design of Transformer's gallery space, and the worldwide use of white walls and grey floors to create gallery spaces. An accomplished Art Director for British film and television, Rebecca will apply set dressing techniques used in her professional career to look at how Transformer may have once appeared in its previous form. Taking reference from the exterior walls of the buildings surrounding Transformer, one of Transformer's gallery walls will be layered with specialized paint techniques, textures and props, to appear like the alleyway it once was.

SALON CONTRA / FRAMEWORK PANEL in collaboration with The Pink Line Project:
Wednesday, September 8, 2010; 7-9 pm at The Pink Line Project
Attendance is free. RSVP to salontransformer@pinklineproject.com is required.

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, September 10, 2010; 6-9pm

ARTIST TALK: Saturday, September 11, 2010; 2pm

Image: detail of alley near Transformer's 1404 P Street NW project space

Staffing Changes at Transformer

Transformer is pleased to welcome two new members to our staff team: Natalie Cheung, Exhibitions Coordinator and Barbara Escobar, Gallery Manager. We wish all the best to our departing Gallery Manager & Program Coordinator, Marissa Long, who has been an integral part of Transformer's programming since March of 2008. Marissa will be continuing work with Transformer on a consulting basis to further build and promote Transformer's FlatFile Program – a growing and eclectic collection of works on paper by emerging artists based locally, nationally, and internationally. For more information on the FlatFiles, please see below – "Updated FlatFile Program".

NEW VIMEO SITE –
Archive of recent Framework Panels

Launched in December 2002, The FRAMEWORK Panel Series seeks to develop critical arts dialogue while simultaneously growing the Washington, DC arts audience for contemporary art. Transformer looks forward to sharing another season of dynamic discussion panels presented in collaboration with a broad range of cultural institutions. In the meantime, check out video on our new Vimeo page, and other coverage of Transformer FRAMEWORK panels from our 2009/10 exhibition season:

PANEL #11 - Convergence of Eastern & Western Art in a Globalized World, November 18, 2009 in partnership with Studio Door China and the Meridian International Center:

Panel #11 press release

PANEL #12 - Radical Art - the evolution of artistic revolution - April 23, 2010 at the Hirshhorn Museum:

Panel #12 press release
Panel #12 video on Transformer's Vimeo page
Video of My Barbarian "Death Panel Discussion" at Transformer, presented in tandem with panel

PANEL #13: Framework Panel #13: BUILT TO LAST? – truths & myths of sustainable cultural production, June 3, 2010, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:

Panel #13 press release
Panel #13 video on Transformer's Vimeo page
"Is art garbage if there's no audience?" - The Pink Line Project

NEW TRANSFORMER WEBSITE! Yes, finally!

We are happy to announce that a completely fresh and re-designed Transformer website is in the works. Transformer looks forward to celebrating the long awaited re-launch of www.transformerdc.org this fall with a brand new design by the talented Victor Aguilar that bears absolutely no resemblance to a Geocities page. Stay tuned!

In addition to Rebecca Key: Archetype
opening at Transformer on September 10, we are pleased to share these additional
Upcoming Exhibitions & Special Events


TANG
October 30 – November 4, 2010

Continuing our commitment to highlight the work of exceptional DC-based emerging artists in a solo exhibition format, Transformer's 8th Annual DC Artist Solo Exhibition presents the work of Señor Tangcito (aka Tang) in his first solo exhibition. Inspired by the people and places he encounters on his international travels, Tang will be taking over Transformer's project space with a bold, highly-stylized and meticulously-rendered site-specific installation. The colorful, geometric, landscape-evoking shapes Tangicito will paint on the walls of Transformer's project space will provide the backdrop for more intricately rendered drawings and installation details: small architectural elements, various drawn characters, and minimal text, all of which communicate a celebratory, diaristic interpretation of the wonder he has experienced in his travels.



Save the date!

7th Annual Transformer Silent Auction
& Benefit Party

November 13, 2010 at
The Mexican Cultural Institute

We're gearing up for the 7th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party, taking place November 13, 2010 at the Mexican Cultural Institute. We are thrilled to have the continued support of the Institute and The Ambassador of Mexico, His Excellency Arturo Sarukhan, and Mrs. Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan, as our Diplomatic Chairs for this year's event. Transformer is also proud to announce internationally recognized collectors Mirella and Dani Levinas as this year's Auction Chairs.

The Auction is also supported by a Host Committee, chaired by Transformer Board Members Shigeko Bork, Kate Damon, and Izette Folger, that includes a diverse array of Washington's cultural leaders and patrons. Keep your eyes peeled for Host Committee, Corporate Sponsor Support and other information in your inbox, and/or contact Alison Konecki, Transformer's Development & Program Assistant, for more information at Alison@transformergallery.org or 202.483.1102.



Updated FlatFile Program

Transformer's FlatFile Program – a collection of works on paper (including photography, painting, drawing, collage, and prints) approximately 16" x 20" in size and smaller by emerging artists based locally, nationally, and internationally – is currently being updated. We are pleased to be adding a broad range of new work by both existing and new-to-the-program emerging artists this August & fall 2010.

ALPTRAUM! (translated as "nightmare"), a comprehensive exhibition of works co-curated by Marissa Long & Victoria Reis of Transformer, LA based artist Jay Stuckey, and Berlin based curator Marcus Sendlinger, featuring works from Transformer's FlatFile as well as from galleries in Los Angeles, London, and Berlin – will take place at Transformer this December and then travel internationally to the other participating galleries. Additionally, Transformer's new website will feature an online database of all FlatFile works for ongoing perusal.

If you wish to submit you work for consideration for the FlatFiles, please direct your submission to submissions@transformergallery.org or marissa@transformergallery.org.

 


Looking toward 2011: Hawaiian Punch – Transformer and the NMAI

Transformer is thrilled to be partnering with the National Museum of the American Indian this May 2011 on the two-site exhibition presentation: This IS Hawai'i. See this City Paper article covering Transformer and this exciting collaboration.

"That Transformer is one of D.C.'s most daring art institutions makes it an odd match for the city's most conservative: the Smithsonian. But in May 2011, Transformer is pairing with that unlikely ally—specifically, the National Museum of the American Indian—for an atypical goal: to introduce D.C. to contemporary, emerging, indigenous artists from Hawaii."

- Kriston Capps for the WashingtonCityPaper.com:

"Hawaiian Punch: Transformer Forges a Rare Smithsonian Collaboration" – WashingtonCityPaper.com



Images: top to bottom, left to right: Treva Elwood, No Plates; Adam Dwight, still from Anti-Majesty; former Transformer Gallery Manager & Program Coordinator Marissa Long with performers Shi-queeta Lee, Summer Camp, and Heidi Ho during Thumb Wars! – part of Transformer's Summer Camp programming, 2009; Works from Transformer's 2009 Auction: Jessica Cebra, Fool's Gold (Marilyn); Maggie Michael, Travel, Courtesy of G Fine Art; Christine Buckton Tillman, Antlers; Rex Weil, Oil Flowers; Trevor Young, Activities Canceled, Courtesy of Civilian Art Projects; Carolina Mayorga, Love Me; Victoria Gaitan, Untitled; Still from video of Framework Panel #13 – BUILT TO LAST? – truths and myths of sustainable cultural production; detail of alley near Transformer's project space; Chakraphan Rangaratna (aka Tang), Untitled; FlatFiles: Alan Brown, Untitled; Melis Bursin, Cay; Erin Boland, Untitled; detail of Kuu era: Polyfantastica the beginning, a 2006 work by Solomon Enos, a Hawaiian artist appearing in the upcoming This IS Hawai'i exhibition.

LIMITED EDITION, ORIGINAL
IONA ROZEAL BROWN T-SHIRTS
DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR TRANSFORMER



These limited edition t-shirts, designed and signed by artist and Transformer Board Member Iona Rozeal Brown, are currently available for purchase exclusively at Transformer. Silk-screened on 100% cotton American Apparel t-shirts, these super rad shirts are available in limited quantities sizes S – XL.

Available for $40 per shirt, these unique wearable artworks by Iona are available for a limited time at Transformer.

All proceeds from t-shirt sales will support Transformer’s 2009 exhibition program.

For further info, contact Transformer at: info@transformergallery.org, or 202.483.1102.

Recent Transformer press:

Additional reviews of specific exhibitions can be found within each exhibition profile on the Exhibitions page

news archive

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