Artists like Joseph Beuys have built catalogs of work looking at rites of passage. Reincorpartion Jamboree draws from the work of five young artists who have emerged from what could be considered contemporary American rites of passage like: middle school dances, under employment, financing higher education and urban survival. Curator and DC artist, Steven Frost examines this emergence with a group of young artists from several regions of the US. The work of Kristina Bilonick (Washington, DC), Ben Fino-Radin (Providence, RI), Hatnim Lee (Brooklyn, NY), Sean M. Johnson (Boston, MA), and Theo Knox (San Francisco, CA) premiers at Honfleur Gallery in this incisive body of contemporary study of Reincorporation.

Building on themes addressed in his own studio practice curator, Steven Frost’s  Reincorporation Jamboree gathers artists who in the twilight of there adulthood reexamine themes of passage, ambition, experimentation, and family ties. Reincorporation is the act rejoining society after experiences separating one from it as defined by French ethnographer and folklorist, Arnold van Gennep. Frost selected artist’s whose work was anthropological, each of them touches on contemporary popular culture, the artists own rites-of-passage and subsequent emergence of unique perspectives. The exhibition includes photography, mixed media installation and interactive works. Visitors may see the show at Honfleur starting June 22, 2009.

The grand closing reception will be held July, 24th at 7pm

Honfleur Gallery, Historic Anacostia’s contemporary art space, is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE.  Its close proximity to 395, Capitol Hill and to the Anacostia Green Line Metro makes it easily accessible from downtown DC. For further inquiries, please contact Amy Cavanaugh, Honfleur Gallery Director, at 202-580-5972. Be sure to visit these websites for details: www.honfleurgallery.com.

http://arlington.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=241&sn=arlington.granicus.com 

Artist Steven Frost is devising his own set of merit badges. Forget the Boy Scouts’ promotion of civic virtues and handy skills, like first aid and, umm, archery. In their place, Frost offers a celebration of human foibles and personal fantasies, like the Looking for Yourself in Missed Connections Badge. Yet beneath wry titles and colorful exuberance, Frost’s works on paper and fabric have a sharper edge. What appear to be line drawings are actually sown with thread, and by using a medium traditionally thought of as feminine, Frost tacitly ridicules the Scouts’ notorious positions on gender and homosexuality. With that in mind, the Mapplethorpe Is My Daddy Badge comes across as a brash wink.

– Karsten Lund

April 17 – June 6, 2009
Opening Friday April 17 6-8 PM
More info/directions: www.arlingtonartscenter.org

Opening March 21, 7-10pm, 2009
continues thru April 19 with hours on Sunday 1-5 and by appointment

2858 W. Montrose, Chicago, IL 60618
Two blocks west of California, at Francisco

In Frost’s Merit Badge Series, he examines the disconnect between the traditional rites of passage celebrated by the Boy Scouts and the actual events that mark our transitions into adulthood. What becomes of the those boys who learned to build fires, serve dinner to seniors, and climb mountains? Today’s young scouts find themselves in a modern world where “good citizen” skills are rendered useless. Resourcing materials that have their own history, Frost creates contemporary traditions that honor more ephemeral but meritorious achievements: those that represent our character. Too Old for MTV Badge; Finding Yourself In Craigslist Missed Connections Badge; I Like Girls For Different Reasons Badge; Losing Your Phone on the Chinatown Bus Badge; these universal, yet personal experiences demarcate our life histories, and honor who we are on the path to what we become.

http://www.swimmingpoolprojectspace.com/current_show.html

Whether you are interested in science camp, rock & roll fantasy camp, dance camp, or just straight up campy-ness – Summer Camp offers something for you. Collaborating with artists, scientists, poets, musicians, story-tellers, and many others, Summer Camp at Transformer involves a diverse cross-section of DC creators and thinkers.

FULL SCHEDULE BELOW! PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE PRETTIER, EASIER-TO-READ WEEKLY UPDATES: www.transformergallery.org

Bored? Board Games! Wednesday, February 25, 3 – 8pm
Artists Steve Frost and Geoffrey Aldridge think they can beat YOU at Scrabble. Pff! Come by Transformer today to show them what’s what, or bring a friend to play at another board game of your choice – we’ve got a prime selection of classics on hand. It’s rumored there might also be beer and pretzels.

This month I was named a “Rising Star” by DC Magazine. I’m on page 106. Also find great articles on my friends Philippa Hughes and Kathryn Cornelius.

You can view the whole magazine online.