Secret Trinidad Gallery Hosts Secret Sexy Art Show
When a press release includes the disclaimer, "This is not a sexy party," the event's bound to be a sex party, right?
Well, no, probably just sexy art. This Friday, a group called the _SX RM_ Collective is hosting a one-night-only art exhibit at a house in Trinidad. East City Art has posted what appears to be the only information online about this group or event. The release lists at least eight participating artists, all of them under pseudonyms such as "Jonny Deep feat. the Gasm" and "Bruce."
The lack of information is a feature, not a bug, according to The Washington Post's Rona Marech, who reported on the Trinidad art series in September in a roundup of art shows in private homes. The Post reported that house owner and gallery host Ray Hennessy requires that artists he shows not do any promotions. He's done nearly a dozen events now. In September, the gallery hosted a two-artist show of works by New York artist Leigh Davis and an artist operating under the name "Christopher."
Hennessy isn't much for names; the house-show gallery he maintains at 1501 Neal Street NE, where the _SX RM_ Collective show takes place on Friday night, goes by "the Trinidad Gallery" or "a Gallery Somewhere in Trinidad" or "the nameless gallery in Trinidad." D.C.'s art scene is going to have to get creative to catch up with the city's proud musical tradition of show houses, with clever handles such as the Girl Cave and the Light House. In any event, something is going down in Trinidad on Friday night, and by the sounds of it, it's NSFW.
10:58 am
Last time I attended an event at this house, I was treated like a leprosy patient. This sounds goofy, but there was a distinct difference between how people with a "hipster aesthetic" and people who just looked like "frumpy townies" were treated. My friend's and I were ignored when we said "hello" and wanted to talk about what was going on, but people with giant ironic glasses and tight jeans (typical enough?) got enthusiastic greetings.
I got the feeling that the whole thing was a chance for some people to say, "Oooh, we're hanging out after dark in a scary neighborhood - give us a gold medal."
3:50 pm
LOL!
3:56 pm
Yeah, what IMGoph says rings true.
6:18 pm
hey IMGoph. i am very sorry to hear about your experience. the events are open to the public, and i have no control over who may show, or what attitudes they may bring in the door.
that being said, i don't care what you wear, and the majority who will be in attendance on Friday don't care either. so stop in, have a drink or two, and say "hello". bring your friends too. ask for me and i would be happy to chat. -RH
10:57 pm
Ray: Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, my fiance and I are heading out of town for the weekend, but we'll be sure to stop by at your next event.
9:16 am
@IMGoph: Ray's house is directly behind mine (we share and alley). He's a good guy, with no care for others' dress or social status or clique- everyone's treated the same. My guess is the attitude experienced wasn't from Ray, but some other folks who came by.
12:49 pm
If you don't get your fill of local art on Friday (or even if you do), stop by Trinidad's newest event Art in the Alley. It is local art in local spaces. 5 - 9pm between the 1200 blocks of Florida and Morse (yes, it is IN the Alley).
The exhibit is also open to submissions from local creative folks who would like to participate. Email to istandakimbo at gmail
1:51 pm
Actually, the press release reads "This is not a SEX party".
10:09 pm
Word is this is a clothing optional show so I shouldn't expect to see hipster aesthetic or frumpy townies. Don't ask anyone, just come naked.