Family in the SkyOriginally uploaded by Jack Whitsitt

So, while we’re working out the logistics for opening an entire Second Life island for Washington, DC artists, art events, and arts organizations to utilize, I’ve moved some of my own stuff into a small scratch space to test architectural concepts.

There isn’t much there right now that you can’t find on flickr, but I’m building a virtual take on the Ofrenda / Day of the Dead installation Angela, Paivi, and I built at the Art Outlet show. The movie streams into Second Life and is surrounded by some virtual concept art.

You can find the space and the exhibit HERE

Below is a snapshot of me sitting down, watching the movie and getting a feel for what needs to be built next:

Image Artists (top left to bottom right):
Video Installation by Angela Kleis, Paivi Salonen and Jack Whitsitt,
Mixed Media Sculpture by Gabriel Kulka,
Gelatin Silver Print by Vickie Fruehauf.

Come party Day of the Dead style, with art, workshops, altars, music, spoken word, dancing, marigolds and the souls of the departed when the Art Outlet presents “Ofrenda: Art for the Dead” from 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, October 13.

Bring an offering to our two artist-designed altars. Come dressed Day of the Dead style, design a sugar skull, and enjoy the art and music.

Artists:
Zulma Aguiar, Michael Auger, Joshua Barlow, Jennifer Beinhacker, Alison Christ, Andrea Collins, Rosemary Feit Covey, Jared Davis, Roni Freeman, Jenny Freestone, Vickie Fruehauf, Susan Gardiner, Angela Kleis, Gabriel Kulka, Emily Liddle, Rob Lindsay, Bono Mitchell, Thomas Paradis, Marina Reiter, Paivi Salonen, Marina Starkova, Henrik Sundqvist, Jack Whitsitt

Schedule:
Day of the Dead Workshop: Sugar Skulls 3 – 5 p.m.
Mariachi Band 5 – 6 p.m.
Film Screening by Zulma Aguiar 6:15 – 6:30 p.m.
(Humanitarian Water – a short film about US/Mexican border issues.)
Mud Pie 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Flo Anito 8 – 9 p.m.
Special Guest Appearance by Inspyra 10:30 pm
(Founder of Capital Fire Arts)
Yoko K. 10 p.m. – Midnight
Location:
2925 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
(Right next Mexicali Blues Restaurant & Bar)

Directions:
By Metro: Take the orange line and exit at the Clarendon Metro stop. Walk down 1 1/2
blocks on Wilson Boulevard. “Ofrenda – Art for the Dead” will be on your left.
By Car: Park in the garage at the corner of Highland Street and Wilson Boulevard. It’s free on weekends.

Ofrenda Installation First Glance

Originally uploaded by sintixerr

This image is a shot I took of Angela standing next to our Ofrenda installation project for the Day of the Dead / Dia De Los Muertos show in Clarendon / Arlington this Saturday (10/13) at Mexicali Blues. Tonight was the first night people had to install their art and it almost turned into a mini show opening! So many people walking by on the street stopped to look, come in, talk, and take postcards out with them. If this traffic is any indication, the show is going to be a wild success.

There is some other outstanding art already there – stuff that moves, stuff that glows, wood cuts, altars, stuff that lights up. There will be music, workshops, and fun. Everyone should stop by – even if you plan on hitting the artdc.org show as well, there’s time to do both!