Girlish Ways: Bobby Fisher Memorial Building’s Bye-Bye

The Bobby Fisher Memorial Building has been home to many, many great events. Ranging from shows for local bands to touring acts like Matt + Kim, a slew of parties from those crazy Corcoran kids at ArtCade, and of course, its first exhibition, a gallery dedicated to the DMV’s very own BORF.

In fact, it’s from him that the structure derives its colloquial name: the BORF building. This Saturday, June 28, that same edifice kicks off its final exhibition: Girlish Ways: The Next Generation of Female Artists, a selection of twelve artists were chosen, each investigating how “contemporary lifestyles affect and re-define the women of this generation.”

The exhibition is curated by Rachel Fick and Marissa Botelho; you can read about all 12 artists after the jump.

Girlish Ways: The Next Generation of Female Artists (June 28-July 6) features:

Satomi Shirai, Hunter College MFA Candidate 2009, uses large scale photography to depict cultural connections and disconnections that were results of moving from Japan to New York City.

Amy Misurelli Sorensen, American University MFA 2008, paints multiple face masks as consequences to distorted images of female sexuality imposed by an Italian Catholic upbringing.

Amber Hawk Swanson, School of the Art Institute of Chicago MFA 2006, explores the interplay between repulsion, desire, and surrender. By inserting a sexually available replica of herself into already charged environments, the possibility of peril often interrupts allegiance to the social codes of each space.

Pierrette Montone, Corcoran College of Art + Design BFA 2008, creates a playful mural on femininity in a post-feminist generation.

Lauren Bender, received a BS in Honors Painting at Towson University 2003, performs CorpOreo a piece that investigates the self/other and a breakdown of communication, influenced by the real-life experience of being a twin.

Sara Hubbs, the George Washington University MFA 2008, installs Hides ‘N Heels, a sculpture that deals with concepts of place, commerce, and notions of femininity as seen through two opposing viewpoints; one of a frontier-like mentality and one in search of authenticity or essence.

Trish Tillman
, School of Visual Arts MFA Candidate 2009, uses deceptively simple linework, bright colors, and abstracted yet familiar forms in her drawings and overflowing closet sculpture to seduce the viewer into confronting themes of personal growth, psychological confinement, and self-imposed displacement.

Meg Onli, School of the Art Institute of Chicago BFA 2008, exhibits preliminary drawings and letters that have led to a current month-long performance that entails retracing the steps of a mulatto lesbian on the Underground Railroad between Rockville, Maryland and the historical settlement of Dawn, Canada. The walk began on June 3rd, 2008 and is anticipated to end in early July, 2008.

Pamela Norrish, Alberta College of Art + Design BFA Candidate 2009, displays an array of delicate music boxes that resemble female body parts. These seemingly childish toys hold uncomfortable female expectations as the viewer winds up the box and puts it into motion.

Zoe Blackwell, California College of Art BFA 2008, shows embroidered poly-satin swatches that explore our human tendencies to recognize and assign code, pattern, secrecy, and preciousness. Simple tags hang quietly off of each swatch to push and pull the meanings of the embroidered words into a myriad of directions.

Lauren Rice, American University MFA 2008, uses found objects that have masculine and feminine connotations to transform one of the second floor galleries into a space that is both gaudy and beautiful.

Roxxanne Reed, Corcoran College of Art + Design BFA Candidate 2009, uses the films of Kenneth Anger in a futile attempt to eradicate any trace of femininity in a recontextualized video that begins in the realm of dreams and ends in the peace of sleep.

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 28th, 7-10pm with live performance art

The Bobby Fisher Memorial Building is located at 1644 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20002 and is open on Saturday and Sundays 12pm-5pm, and by appointment.

3 Comments
1 stacey said on Jun 27, 2008...

Riddle me this: Why’s it named after Bobby Fischer again? Because he was intensely anti-Semitic.

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Jiansaid on June 27, 2008 2:21 pm...

Bobby Fischer = chess champ portrayed by Elijah Wood
Bobby Fisher = John Tsombikos’ deceased friend, nicknamed “Borf,” whose name he adopted in memoriam.

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staceysaid on June 27, 2008 2:41 pm...

Oh, I thought you just spelled it wrong. I am a fucking idiot.

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