Artist and Curator Daniel Brooking, Shares Thoughts on Playing with Light Exhibit

The Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum and Black Artists of DC (BADC) presents Playing with Light: Making Visions Visible.

In 2007 I curated the BADC exhibition Digital Divide at the Ratner Museum. Of all the exhibitors that year only two were asked to return; we were one of the two. For 2008, I chose the title Playing With Light because of my fascination with light and color. I asked the artists to explore the visual and philosophical aspects of light: illumination, darkness, shadow, truth, fears and dreams and to go wherever their imagination would lead. The art ranges from exquisite tapestries to masterful pen and ink, imaginative photography, colorful abstracts, thought provoking digital works and mixed media: combining classical and new art forms. The works are bold, exciting, calming, beautiful and intriguing. The artists in the exhibition are James Brown, Jr., Al Burts, Maurice Harrington, Aziza Gibson-Hunter, Gloria C. Kirk, Harlee Little, Percy Martin, Yvette Mitchell, Michael B. Platt, Eugene R.Vango and myself.

The opening reception on the 5^th , was attended by members of BADC and a very interested public. We received many favorable comments about the show. We took every opportunity to explain who we were and to ask for feedback. Artists must be able and willing to talk about their work as well as exhibit it. Stella Bernstein, the Administrative Director of the Museum, also introduced the exhibit to the audience and gave a brief history of the Museum.

BADC supports and enlivens the arts in DC and compliments the diversity of a cosmopolitan nation’s capital. Our accomplishments enhance the reputation of Black artists and Washington, DC as a nurturing environment.

For further information please call Daniel T. Brooking at (202) 255-5720 or email dtbrooking@verizon.net.

The Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum

10001 Old Georgetown Road, near the corner of Lone Oak Drive (East) Bethesda, MD 20814

October 5-October 28, 2008

Monday thru Thursday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Sunday 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. – closed Friday and Saturday

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