Thursday/Feb. 23 to Sunday, March 25
Free
Terrace Gallery at The Artisphere
Artisphere is the first and only venue in the U.S. to present this exhibition of photographs revealing moments of this extraordinary figure’s private life.
Free public opening reception: Thursday, Feb. 23 from 7-10 p.m.
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)’s extraordinary life and iconic biographical paintings have earned her international renown in the world of modern art. Upon Kahlo’s death in 1954, more than 6,500 personal photographs and items belonging to her and husband/artist Diego Rivera were sealed and put in storage. For more than half a century this great collection of personal memorabilia remained hidden from the public. In 2007, this collection was opened and Mexican photographer and curator Pablo Ortiz Monasterio inventoried and catalogued 259 images to create the Frida Kahlo: Her Photos exhibition.
These images reveal a little-known side of the artist and lifelong resident of Coyoacán, a Mexico City suburb and Arlington's sister city. The collection of photographs in this exhibition reflect Kahlo’s tastes and interests, the experiences she shared with those close to her, and her complicated, but also thrilling, personal life. Viewers get an insider’s look, not only through who was behind the camera, in front of the lens or the anonymous nature of some of the work but also through the annotated writing found on the back of many of the photographs.
From family pictures and snapshots taken with lovers to images that reveal relationships with Russian Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky and American photographers Edward Weston, Alfred Stieglitz, artist Georgia O’Keefe and actress Dolores del Rio, this exhibition provides a glimpse into Kahlo as never seen before.
This exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Frida Kahlo Museum, The Embassy of Mexico, the Mexican Cultural Institute, Arlington County and with additional support from the Rosslyn Business Improvement District. It was initially facilitated by the Arlington Sister City Association.
RELATED PROGRAMMING
Artisphere celebrates Frida Kahlo: Her Photos with an array of complementary programming. Highlights include:
WOMEN FILMMAKER SERIES: Fridays in February at 8 p.m./$6/Dome Theatre
Artisphere celebrates women artists in February with a Friday film series showcasing renowned female filmmakers, including Jane Campion ("The Piano"), Sofia Coppola ("Marie Antoinette"), Patty Jenkins ("Monster") and Julie Taymor ("Frida").
RANA SANTACRUZ: Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m./$15 advance; $18 @ door/Dome Theatre
A Mexican native living in Brooklyn, NY, Rana Santacruz is considered one of the artists currently redefining the sound of Mexican-American music. His music, often called "Mexican Bluegrass" or "Irish Mariachi."
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ FILM SERIES: Wednesdays in March/8 p.m./$6/Dome Theatre
The work of Mexican-American filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will be showcased in March. Films being screened include "El Mariachi," "Desperado," "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," and "From Dusk Till Dawn."
LA SHICA: FLAMENCO FUSION ARTIST: Friday, March 15/8 p.m./$15 advance; $18 @ door/Dome Theatre
Winner of the 2011 Spanish Music Award for Best New Act, La Shica's songs are fused with copla music and an urban hip-hop sound while she entertains with flamenco dancing.
JARDIN EN EL MAR (A Garden in the Sea): Thursday, March 15/7 p.m./Free/Dome Theatre
This new film is about an underwater installation in the Mexican Sea of Cortez created by Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias and commissioned by Mexican philanthropist Manuel Arango.
MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND: Saturday, March 17/8 p.m./$20/Ballroom
DJ and producer Camilo Lara is the one-man dynamo behind this electronic music project. The Indie Music Award-winning group mixes mariachi and cumbia with hip-hop, rock, and thunderous beats.
WOMEN IN SALSA SHOW + DANCE PARTY: Saturday, March 24/8 p.m./ $10 advance; $15 @ door/Ballroom
Eighteen salsaeras perform, followed by a DJ night featuring DJ Emilly "La Taina" and DJ Nancy Alonso.
SURREALISM WORKSHOPS: UNDERSTANDING FRIDA'S CREATIVE CLIMATE
Adult Surrealism Workshop/ Saturday, March 24/ 5-8 p.m./$12 (ages 18+; limited to 24 participants)
Family Surrealism Workshop/Sunday, March 25/1-4 p.m./Free (ages 5+; space is limited - RSVP to rmayo@arlingtonva.us)
Frida Kahlo''s surrealistic work wove fact and fantasy together. Join artist and magician David London and explore play through hand-on activities, including surrealist games like The Exquisite Corpse, Collage, and Automatic Writing.