ART @ the KATZEN | Washington DC arts blog by Jack Rasmussen, Director and Curator, American University Museum

Go With Flo

NPR published a great story about the losses suffered by Haiti's Arts City, Jacmel, and the death of Flo McGarrell, in particular. He was one of the principal reasons we were able to pull off the Sipriz project last summer.

Tweeting (at last!)

Follow my tweets @rasmussenjack and I'll follow yours.

Social Media Upgrade...

I'm meeting with some guys today who are going to bring me into the present. I started this blog almost five years ago when blogging was pretty fresh. Now, it appears, I have lost my edge and need an infusion of "what is happening now". So, before it is old,too, I am going to Twitter and Facebook and stuff like that! Watch me now! Hey! Twist! Twist!

Disaster in Haiti

Left to right: Flo McGarrell and writers Geert van der Kolk and Patrick Symmes in front of the Sipriz Last summer we worked with Flo McGarrell to bring Haitian art to the American University Museum to accompany the boat Sipriz (see June 20, 2009,posting) which we parked in front of the Katzen Arts Center to bring attention to the plight of Haitian refugees. I had known Flo since she was a member of the performance troup Little Big Bang performing at the 14K Cabaret in Baltimore. In recent years he had moved to Haiti to run the Fosaj Art Center in Jacmel. He was a an important artist and a beautiful person. He died in the earthquake a few days ago.

Happy New Year!

TOM GREEN, Beirut, 1982, 72” x 84”, acrylic on canvas, Collection of Wendelin White and Paul Feinberg So we all know 2009 was a big, fat disappointment in many respects, but 2010 is going to start off with a BANG!Tom Green: Accident and Intent opens January 23, and runs through March 14. Happy New Year!

Pardon My Espanol

I will be travelling in Spain next week, visiting museums and cultural movers and shakers as a guest of Fundacion Carolina (I don't know how to get the tildes and accents to work here, but I do at least know they are missing).

DOWN UNDER AND OUT

Sunday, Dec. 6, is the last day for Culture Warriors. The largest exhibition of Australian Indigenous Art ever to leave Australia will leave the USA tomorrow, 4:00pm ET. YOU WERE WARNED!

Human Rights in the Twenty-First Century

Cole Sternberg, The Newest Right May Supercede All Others, 2009. Watercolor, spray paint, ink on canvas. 60 x 72 in. There is going to be a pretty heavy panel discussion on Human Rights in conjunction with Cole Sternberg: and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. Panelists include: Claudio Grossman, Moderator Dean of American University Washington College of Law and Chair of the United Nations Committee against Torture. Herman Schwartz Co-Director of the Washington College of Law Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University, and board member Foundation for a Civil Society and Helsinki Watch. Juan Mendez Formerly the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and currently President of the International Center for Transitional Justice, New York City. Susanna Sa Cuoto Director, War Crimes Research Office, Washington College of Law, American University. Cole Sternberg Graduate, Washington College of Law, American University, and Los Angeles-based Visual Artist. .5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Tuesday, November 24, Abramson Family Recital Hall

Yabby Says "Hi"

Treahna Hamm is just one of the unbelievable Australian Indigenous Artists on display now in Culture Warriors. Take note... the show is only here until December 6th.

Your Sign Here!

In this difficult economy, we have decided to rent advertising space on our facade. Reasonable rates are available for this GREAT location, but we will not promote the sale of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or foie gras.