Did you miss the Film Genius Showcase at the Frye Art Museum last Wednesday? Christopher’s roundup had it exactly right: David Schmader was a delightful host, and the three Genius shortlisters were an interesting mix of talent, at wildly different points in their respective careers.
This Wednesday is the Visual Arts Genius Showcase, hosted by Jen Graves. We’ll present art by the shortlist—Matthew Offenbacher, Sherry Markovitz, and Rodrigo Valenzuela—on the big screen in the Frye’s auditorium, and then Jen will interview each of the artists in turn. Then, you’ll be able to ask them any questions that cross your mind. If you’ve attended either of the past Showcases, you know that they’re smart (duh) and funny (extra-duh) and they provide you with a unique opportunity to ask the weirdest, most invasive questions of a smart person that you’ll ever get in a public setting. Read Jen’s case for the Geniuses and then come and make up your own mind.
Tickets are $10, which includes a fancy vodka cocktail and perhaps a free promotional sweatband or two. If you’ve never seen Jen Graves host something like this, you should be advised that I have in the past favorably compared her public persona to that of a Muppet, which you should know is one of the highest compliments I have to give. I hope to see you there.