The American University of DC Museum presents Coco Chanel and abstraction in painting, sculpture, …

The winter exhibitions at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center are open From January 28, 2017 to March 12, 2017.

Howard Mehring, originally from Washington, has become a leading figure in the vaguely defined Washington Color School movement, a form of abstraction peculiar to DC. Mehring / Wellspring: Howard Mehring’s First Color Field Paintings is a sample of his “Color Field” paintings created between 1957 and 1963. In the mid-1960s, Mehring changed his abstract style to one of the geometric patterns using brighter colors under the influence of critic Clement Greenberg, before his untimely death at 47.

Art historian EA Carmean Jr., wrote the catalog essay for Mehring / Source. During his tenure as curator of 20th century art at the National Gallery of Art, he organized the exhibition of Color Field paintings by Morris Louis. Carmean Jr. has also curated two artist retrospectives New York Color Field, one by pioneer Helen Frankenthaler for the Museum of Modern Art in New York and a second, by Jules Olitski, presented at American University. Museum in 2012. The author of more than 200 essays, books and catalogs, published in seven languages, a selection of his writings and sermons is currently in preparation.

Julie Wolfe, a University of Texas at Austin alumnus, uses her paintings, photographs, sound and video productions, works on paper, and installations to explore existentialism inspired by Michelangelo Pistoletto’s concept of a third paradise. Wolfe In search of a third paradise seeks to highlight the relationship between the natural world and human nature. This exhibition was curated by Claire D’Alba.

In the Washington Alper Art Initiative, photographs by Washington native Joe Cameron are on display. Cameron focuses on purity in black and white photography. His exhibition touch the air works to underline his excellence by incorporating in his photographs the poetry of drawing and design. He captures this connection through the camera and allows it to create a visual quest for the audience.

New ruins is an exhibition showcasing the work of six contemporary New York-based artists: N. Dash, Jessica Dickinson, Donald Moffett, Sam Moyer, Nathlie Provosty and Brie Ruais. The artists use specific temporal, material and tactile details that challenge the mark of the traditional painter while altering the perception of time and presence. The exhibition was curated by Danielle Mysliwiec, Assistant Art Professor, American University, and Natalie Campbell.

Mike Shaffer: Tours and monuments features an array of paintings and sculptures by Maryland artist Mike Shaffer. Shaffer combines styles of minimalism, pop, and concept art to emphasize how Washington, DC’s memorials and landmarks are inherently material, but represent non-material matter – inventions, glory, prestige, honor. He explains that his “work is about ideas rather than things”, but he uses “things to explain” his ideas.

On view from January 13 to February. 12

COCO CHANEL: A NEW PORTRAIT OF MARION PIKE, PARIS 1967-71

Organized by the Washington Winter Show, this exhibition explores the deep friendship between Californian artist Marion Pike and legendary designer Coco Chanel, featuring five full-scale portraits of Chanel, painted by Pike, and several haute couture pieces designed by Chanel.

for Marion and her daughter, Jeffie Pike Durham, who generously loaned all the pieces from the collection. Organized by Amy de la Haye, London College of Fashion, this collection makes its North American debut. This exhibition will be presented in the Katzen Kreeger Hall from January 13 to February 12, 2017.

INFORMATION ON THE MUSEUM, TIMES, LOCATION:

The American University Museum is a three-story public museum and sculpture garden located in the university’s Katzen Arts Center. The region’s largest university center for art exhibit, the museum has a permanent collection that showcases donor funds and the AU’s Watkins and Rothfeld collections. The rotating exhibitions focus on regional, national and international contemporary art.

The Katzen Museum Shop is open during museum opening hours and one hour before certain special events. Visitors can purchase books, catalogs, and prints related to past and current exhibitions, as well as handicrafts and other unique items made by mostly local artisans.

The Katzen Arts Center, named in honor of Washington area benefactors Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus Katzen, brings together all of AU’s visual and performing arts programs in one place. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the arts, the Katzen includes the museum, the Abramson Family Recital Hall, the Studio Theater, a dance studio, an electronics studio, artist studios, a rehearsal space and classroom.

The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Free entry. For more information, call 202-885-1300 or visit the web at www.american.edu/cas/museum.