EVENTS AT THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART AND COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN

LECTURES
The Aesthetic of the Dream in Surrealist Film  
Wednesday, December 8; 7 p.m.
Long before Inception—even before The Wizard of Oz—Surrealist artists led film audiences on a giddy flight from reality, liberating cinema from the duty of replicating the external world, and turning the camera’s eye inward to coax the hidden realm of dreams into the light. In this talk, Corcoran professor Bernard Welt demonstrates how the exploration of provocative analogies between dreams and cinema created the language of classic and contemporary fantasy film. Members free; Public $10.  Register http://programs.corcoran.org/products/the-aesthetic-of-the-dream-in-surrealist-film.


The Nature of Art: The Work of John Alexander  
Thursday, December 9; 7 p.m.
Since exhibiting his work at the Corcoran’s 35th Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting in 1977, John Alexander has become internationally renowned for his powerful, detailed, and sometimes satirical paintings and drawings of the natural world. Alexander discusses his prolific career, his first exhibition at the Corcoran, and the humor so often found in his unique artworks. Pre-registration encouraged. Members free; Public $10. register, visit http://programs.corcoran.org/products/the-nature-of-art-the-work-of-john-alexander.


Spencer Finch on Art and Inspiration  
Tuesday, December 14; 7 p.m.
At the core of Spencer Finch's work is the ongoing investigation into light, color, memory, and perception. Drawing inspiration from historical accounts by poets and philosophers, his sculptural installations, photographs, and drawings seek to recreate individual experiences or particular sensations such as candlelight or the wind off of Walden Pond. Join Spencer Finch as he discusses the inspiration behind his captivating work and exhibition, Spencer Finch: My Business, with the Cloud, on view now. Members $16; Public $20. Register http://programs.corcoran.org/products/spencer-finch-on-art-and-inspiration.

PERFORMANCES
Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company: America’s Cloud Sunday, Sunday, December 12
Performances at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. in the Rotunda Join acclaimed choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his contemporary dance company as they debut their site-specific dance piece, “America’s Cloud.” The dance—inspired by the large-scale cloud sculpture suspended in the Rotunda as part of the exhibition Spencer Finch: My Business, With the Cloud—is the culmination of Burgess’ month-long residency at the Corcoran. Free with Gallery admission.  http://programs.corcoran.org/products/product.

Prior to the performances, Corcoran College of Art + Design Docents will give tours of Spencer Finch: My Business, With the Cloud. Tours begin at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. and are free with Gallery admission.

Off the Walls Annual College Art Sale
Thursday, December 9, 5–9 p.m.
Friday, December 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Off the Walls, the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s annual art sale, featuring the perfect gifts for this holiday season; hand-crafted by Corcoran students, alumni, faculty, and staff—from small to large, delicate to industrial, inexpensive to priceless, simple to sublime. Art items for sale include jewelry and wearable art, ceramics, fine art, and more. Off the Walls, www.corcoran.org/offthewalls

ON VIEW

Origin to Icon: Danish Design Exposed
December 11–20 Reception: Thursday, December 16; 6–8 p.m.
Gallery 31, Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design

www.corcoran.org