Bernardi Roig’s Night Lights

There’s one good thing about the days getting shorter: there’s more time to enjoy Bernardi Roig’s sculptures in all of their illuminated glory. Beautiful as they are during the day, Intersections artist Roig‘s works comprised of white plaster figures and fluorescent lights are especially captivating at night. Here’s a look at the works after the sun has gone down.

Roig at night_white cage

Bernardi Roig, White Cage, 2014. Iron and fluorescent light, 106 1/4 x 47 1/4 x 11 7/8 in. Courtesy Kewenig Gallery, Berlin/Palma de Mallorca. Image courtesy the artist

Roig at night_acteon

Bernardi Roig, Acteón, 2005. Polyester resin, marble dust and fluorescent lights. Figure life size. Courtesy Max Estrella Gallery, Madrid. Image courtesy the artist.

Roig at night_herr mauroner

Bernardi Roig, Herr Mauroner, 2008. Polyester resin, marble dust and fluorescent lights. Figure life size. Courtesy MAM Mario Maroner Contemporary, Vienna. Image courtesy the artist.

Roig at night_blinky p

Bernardi Roig, An illuminated head for Blinky P. (The Gun), 2010. Polyester resin, marble dust and fluorescent light. Figure life size. Courtesy Galerie Klüser, Munich. Image courtesy the artist.

The Choreographer’s Process: Dance and the Dream of Realities, Part 3

In this series of guest posts, Jason Garcia Ignacio, one of CityDance’s 2014–2015 OnStage Ignite Artists, talks about artwork that inspired him for the Dance and the Dream of Realities performance at the Phillips on Nov. 20. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here

signac_place des lice

Paul Signac, Place des Lices, Saint-Tropez, Opus 242, 1893. Oil on canvas, 25 3/4 x 32 1/4 in. Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh. Acquired through the generosity of the Sarah Mellon Scaife Family. Photograph © 2014 Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh

Paul Signac, Place des Lices, Saint-Tropez, Opus 242 (1893)
In a painting filled with trees, I am most drawn to the person sitting alone on a bench. I want to explore this person’s solitude. In today’s society, where time alone is a luxury, what drives a person to isolate himself?

Cross_The Swan

Henri-Edmond Cross, The Swan, 1893. Oil on canvas, 18 x 10 5/8 in. Private collection, France, Courtesy Galerie de la Présidence, Paris

Henri-Edmond Cross, The Swan (1893)
I can’t help but think how excited this little girl must be as she observes the swan. One of my favorite Filipino folk dances is called “Itik-Itik”—which translates to duck. Though the dance is inspired by the movement of the duck, its endearing quality is a perfect match for ‘The Swan’. I want the audience to feel as the little girl does as she encounters this beautiful creature—bemused and enchanted.

Jason Garcia Ignacio, one of CityDance’s 2014–2015 OnStage Ignite Artists

Salute to Phillips Musicians in the Armed Forces

military bands post_archival program

(left) Dec 6, 1942 program from the Music Department permanent archives (right) Feb 21, 1943 program from the Music Department permanent archives

In honor of Veteran’s Day this week, the Phillips celebrates military musicians serving in the Army Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps Bands. Nearly 100 performances were held in the Phillips’s Music Room between 1939 and 1945, making Sunday Concerts the longest continually-running series in Washington, DC.

Of the many fine military musicians performing at the Phillips, GRAMMY-winning American pianist Earl Wild (1915–2010) was one. Wild is renowned as one of the greatest pianists and all-around musicians in history, and one Harold Schonberg called Wild a “super-virtuoso in the Horowitz class.”

We are proud to boast several Phillips Camerata musicians who presently serve in the US Marine Corps Band, including violinist Karen Johnson and cellist Charlie Powers. On our 75th season anniversary, we honor the legacy of Armed Services musicians in two concerts during our 2015/2016 season, featuring Navy Sea Chanters and the USMCB string ensemble.

Caroline Mousset, Director of Music