Mike Parker: Drawings

March 15 - March 31
Public Reception: Thursday, March 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
 
Artist Talk: Friday, March 16 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
DJ Set: Friday, March 16 at 11:00 pm,
BackBar at the 9:30 Club, 815 V Street, NW.
 @
Studio 1469 - 1469 Harvard Street NW REAR, Washington DC,


Studio 1469 is thrilled to present visual artist and techno dj Mike Parker in his first solo exhibition in the District. Mike Parker: Drawings will feature approximately 17 recent figurative artworks.

What the artist calls "noise," sounds that others might tune out or tone down, has always been fascinating to him. Over some 30 years he has forged various paths in which to amplify: first by djing; then building instruments from found materials, later pressing records of the subsequent recordings; and learning the techniques of modular synthesis. He then returned to the art of he dj by way of "techno", a form of music that to Parker was an amalgamation of every form of noise that influenced him previously.

At the same time, drawing has always been essential to Mike Parker's practice. It was constant almost unabated throughout his formal education and continues today.  The figure is the subject, often fragmented and reduced to gestural interpretations. An optical type of noise developed as the drawings became untamed, subjective.  Parker in his own words, says it best. "I've been fortunate enough to be able to indulge in this kind of [artistic] activity.  I'm not yet completely satisfied, but optimistically believe
that my best drawings and recordings haven't been made yet.   And no, I will not turn the volume down."

ABOUT THE SPACE
Studio 1469 (www.studio1469.com) is a newly constructed studio, designed and created with multi-disciplinary uses in mind. The space is both a blank slate and a ready to use opportunity for rehearsal, instruction, and creation. Gallery style lighting along with abundant natural light, combined with reinforced soundproof walls enables both choir or painter, ensemble or shutterbug to make things happen within this secluded yet wonderfully situated building.