Atlanta galleries and museums apparently forgot that summer is typically a languorous time across the metro’s cultural landscape. Their unseasonable energy and ambition is a bonus for Atlanta art lovers, who don’t have to wait for the stupor-inducing humidity to pass to enjoy these current and imminent exhibitions:
Sharon Shapiro at Poem 88
A Virginia artist who graduated from the Atlanta College of Art, Shapiro returns to Poem 88 with a show of provocative paintings that explore, through the female form, ideas about beauty, objectification and sexual power.
”I examine the conflict that exists between the inner and outer lives of human experience, between a person’s placid exterior and their churning, riotous core,” she has said.
The opening reception, billed as a “‘70s style dance party,” will be at 7 p.m. July 12.
Through Aug. 9. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. White Provision Building, 1100 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-735-1000, www.poem88.net.
Alejandro Aguilera at Saltworks
Atlanta-based, Cuban-born Aguilera responded to the global economic crisis of recent years with the drawings that comprise his new show, “Patterns of Protest.”
Saltworks said the artist’s recent production is analogous to the role of the journalist, recording “the unfolding spectacle” of geopolitics.
Through July 26. Noon-5 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Suite A06, White Provision Building, 1100 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-865-1523, www.saltworksgallery.com.
‘Mid Century Modern,’ more at Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art has mounted a trio of concurrent exhibits that tap into, in different ways, what director Elizabeth Peterson refers to as “the creative outpouring of art at mid 20th century.” Much of that, she noted, was influenced by the improvisational rhythms of American jazz.
“Mid Century Modern: Works on Paper” features 1960s and ’70s prints by Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler, Larry Rivers, Jim Dine, Adolph Gottlieb and others. “Salvador Dali: Trilogy of Love” features a selection of large-format lithographs by the prolific Spanish surrealist.
And while New Mexico artist Kimo Minton is very much producing in the present day, the exhibit “Jazz Abstractions” presents a selection of modernist-styled color woodcuts, mixed media work and sculpture that is in tune with the musical aesthetic humming throughout the OU galleries.
Through Aug. 31. Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. $5; under 12, free. 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-364-8555, museum.oglethorpe.edu.
Radcliffe Bailey curates at Gallery 72
The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Cyclorama will present “Art Against the Wall,” a group exhibit opening July 11 at Gallery 72 that will examine the consequences of the Civil War and wars in general. It’s being curated by Radcliffe Bailey, the nationally noted Atlanta artist who explores themes of ancestry, race and memory.
Through Aug. 22. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. 2 City Plaza, 72 Marietta St., Atlanta. 404-546-6815, www.ocaatlanta.com.
‘World According to Consumerism’ at Fay Gold
Susan Knippenberg, guest curator of the group show “The World According to Consumerism,” figures the 10 emerging artists are addressing a rich topic.
“As we embark on a revitalized consumer movement where grassroots activism and nonprofit groups defend the rights of Consumer Joe, we cannot escape the everyday need for goods produced by corporations,” she said.
The works are mainly video projection, installation, painting and photography.
Through July 28. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 760 10th St., Atlanta. 404-372-8047, www.faygoldgallery.com.
‘Be Here Now’ at the Contemporary
The three artists in this show opening July 11 — Atlantans Mike Black and Andrew Boatright and Wisconsinite Sandra Erbacher — want you to pay attention to things typically unseen. Objects like duct work, electrical conduit, water pipes and exit signs. In different ways, each artist will riff on the physicality and scale of the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center’s renovated galleries and adjacent spaces.
Opening reception: 7-9 p.m. July 11. Artist talks: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 12 (free). Through Aug. 30. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (until 8 p.m. Thursdays). $8; $5 students, seniors; free ages 5 and under. 535 Means St., Atlanta. 404-688-1970, www.thecontemporary.org.
Scott Ingram at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
MOCA GA will open Ingram’s “Blue Collar Modernism,” the first in the series of three exhibitions by 2013-14 Working Artist Project fellowship winners, on July 11. The architecture-inspired Atlanta artist said the works respond to Atlanta’s long history of “constantly destroying (its built environment) to build again.”
Opening reception: 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 11. Artist talk: 7 p.m. Aug. 5 (free, with reception at 6:30). Through Sept. 13. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. $5; $1 students. 75 Bennett St., Atlanta. 404-367-8700, www.mocaga.org.
MUSIC
Voices carry from Atlanta to Latvia
The Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde will be well represented at the 8th World Choir Games, a biennial choral Olympics taking place in and around Riga, Latvia, through July 19.
The Youth Chorale has been singing its way across Germany for the last week, with the Treble Concert Choir scheduled to depart Atlanta on July 7.
The 60 Atlanta Young Singers will be among 27,000 vocalists in 460 choirs.
The Atlantans will compete in four categories: Children's Choirs Champions Competition, Youth Choirs of Equal Voices Champions Competition, Scenic Folklore Open Competition and Mixed Boys' Choirs Open Competition. Follow their progress at www.facebook.com/AtlantaYoungSingers and atlantayoungsingerswcg2014.blogspot.com.
DANCE
Warner Robins 16-year-old takes prize
Mackenzie Richter, a 16-year-old from Warner Robins, recently won the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition women’s junior silver medal.
Held every four years in Jackson, Miss., the USA IBC attracts top dancers from around the world. A student at International City School of Ballet in Smyrna, Richter competed against 31 dancers in the third and final women's junior round who performed variations from both the classical and contemporary repertoires.
Ritcher started dancing at age 7 and hopes to join a professional ballet company one day.
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