Join us for an evening celebrating contemporary art happenings in the IMA’s galleries and abroad.

Artist Talk: William Lamson
5:30 pm | The Toby
FREE

William Lamson installing his work in Efroymson Pavilion.

Brooklyn-based conceptual artist William Lamson (b. 1977) will discuss his new sculpture and sound installation in the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion—his largest and most ambitious work to date. For this project, Divining Meteorology, Lamson reanimates a former communications tower by transforming it into a sound-producing object. The tower will be compressed into the space, as if it has been folded into itself, and used as an antenna to receive a weather radio signal that will initiate a series of vibrations within the structure. The sound of these vibrations will resonate throughout the Pavilion. Through vigorous, often poetic interventions into natural and man-made environments, Lamson forges a captivating and highly unique exploration of forces of nature and the passage of time.

Intermission Reception
6:15 pm | Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion
For the opening reception, Lamson will stage a brief performance in which he activates and interacts with the installation. Light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar provided. No RSVP required.

Panel Discussion: National Identity, Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of Contemporary Art
7 pm | The Toby
FREE

Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla

The IMA has commissioned works by the Puerto Rico-based artist duo Allora & Calzadilla to represent the United States at the US Pavilion this June at the Venice Biennale. Their work reflects the complicated political relationship of Puerto Rico to the mainland US and prompts questions about American identity, patriotism, while raising larger questions about the arts and cultural diplomacy. Engage with a panel discussion on these issues featuring IMA curator Lisa Freiman, Commissioner of the US Pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale; Cheryl Hartup, Chief Curator, Ponce Museum of Art in Ponce, Puerto Rico; Anabelle Rodriguez-Lawton, Adjunct Professor of Art History and Liberal Arts, The University of the Arts + Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, with facilitation by Tariq Robinson, Senior Coordinator of Youth Programs at IMA.

Presented by the IMA Contemporary Art Society.