I visited the Arts on N HQ at the DC Convention Center last night to help brainstorm with genius curator Beth Baldwin about how to integrate The Caribbean’s soundscape piece (title, “Curtains Drawn”) with Matt Hollis’ “Incubator” installation and was completely charmed and taken away by Matt’s work.  The fact that this space was previously a blaring opera of corporate efficiency echo (an Enterprise car rental office) makes its transformation all the more daunting and Matt’s otherwortdly creepiness all the more joyous (now if we can just cover up that overhead fluorescent light that doesn’t turn off).  There are tweaks to be done and noodles to scratch, but it looks pretty cool.  The whole installation is really a rare bird and it might actually make you think of rare birds and mystical alien gardens and angels and old curio shops that are never open.

Having been to the Arts on N festival last weekend and seen some of what’s in store for that upcoming, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the beautiful balance between happening and chill that Beth has cooked up for DC.  Go!  Buy arts and crafts.  At least look at and listen to art and celebrate your great, strange, beautiful city.  Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm on N Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets.  Also see a nice piece in the City Paper blog by Jon Fischer: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/08/12/wild-untamed-planet-of-weirdness-the-caribbean-on-its-arts-on-n-street-collaboration-with-matt-hollis/      - Michael