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Close Encounters - Facing The Future
Facing environmental devastation, ongoing wars, ethnic discrimination,
spiraling demand for health care, economic recession and the decline of
democratic values cannot be made easy.
Our intention with Close Encounters is to create an autonomous zone– a
workshop– where difficult questions and ideas about the state of the
world can interact in sometimes disturbing but always thought-provoking
ways. We are fortunate to be living in a time where many significant
artists are producing works of art that are both of high quality as art
and as social commentary. Close Encounters is a reflection of this
momentous time in which we have a bounty of unparalleled ways to see
our future through critical and optimistic eyes.
Close Encounters extends beyond strictly artistic and theoretical
approaches and invites the viewer to connect directly with the art and
issues at stake. Bringing together key contemporary artists, the
exhibition provides a mosaic of current United States conditions and
circumstances. The exhibition’s design, which includes relevant books
from Provisions Library, invites deeper reflection and dialogue.
Like the characters in Steven Spielberg’s classic film Close Encounters
of the Third Kind, we find ourselves confronting and attempting to
communicate with an unknown reality. The exhibit is about an essential
and fearless confrontation with diverging visions. But, this is not a
science fiction we are facing: we are finding future meanings and
directions for our society.
Donald H. Russell and Niels Van Tomme, Curators, Provisions Library
Close Encounters is part of BrushFire, nation-wide effort to foster
socially engaged art. Many arts organization here in Washington and
through out the country are presenting programs highlighting social
issues.
Funding form Close Encounters and BrushFire has been provided by
CrossCurrents Foundation, The Creative Communities Fund of The
Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, The Morris and
Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation,The Humanities Council of Washington DC,
The Arca Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation and The Tides
Foundation.
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