Free public opening reception: Thu Feb 23 / 7-10pm


Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)’s extraordinary life and iconic
biographical paintings have earned her international renown in the world
of modern art. Upon Kahlo’s death in 1954, more than 6,500 personal
photographs and items belonging to her and husband/artist Diego Rivera
were sealed and put in storage.  For more than half a century this great
collection of personal memorabilia remained hidden from the public.  In
2007 this collection was opened and Mexican photographer and curator
Pablo Ortiz Monasterio inventoried and catalogued 259 images to create
the Frida Kahlo: Her Photos exhibition. 


These images reveal a little-known side of the artist and lifelong
resident of Coyoacán, a Mexico City suburb and Arlington, Virginia's
sister city. The collection of photographs in this exhibition reflect
Kahlo’s tastes and interests, the experiences she shared with those
close to her, and her complicated, but also thrilling, personal life.
Viewers get an insider’s look, not only through who was behind the
camera, in front of the lens or the anonymous nature of some of the work
but also through the annotated writing found on the back of many of the
photographs.


From family pictures and snapshots taken with lovers to images that
reveal relationships with Russian Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky and
American photographers Edward Weston, Alfred Stieglitz, artist Georgia
O’Keefe and actress Dolores del Rio, this exhibition provides a glimpse
into Kahlo as never seen before.


This exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Frida Kahlo
Museum, The Embassy of Mexico, the Mexican Cultural Institute, Arlington
County and with additional support from the Rosslyn Business
Improvement District. It was initially facilitated by the Arlington
Sister City Association.

RELATED PROGRAMMING

Artisphere celebrates Frida Kahlo: Her Photos with an array of complementary programming. Highlights include:

WOMEN FILMMAKER SERIES: Fridays in Feb/8 pm/$6/Dome Theatre

Artisphere celebrates women artists in February with a Friday film
series showcasing renowned female filmmakers, including Jane Campion (The Piano), Sofia Coppola (Marie Antoinette), Patty Jenkins (Monster) and Julie Taymor (Frida).
RANA SANTACRUZ: Sat Feb 25/8 pm/$15 advance; $18 @ door/Dome Theatre

A Mexican native living in Brooklyn, NY, Rana Santacruz is considered
one of the artists currently redefining the sound of Mexican-American
music. His music, often called "Mexican Bluegrass" or "Irish Mariachi."
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ FILM SERIES: Wednesdays in March/8 pm/$6/Dome Theatre

The work of Mexican-American filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will be showcased in March. Films being screened include El Mariachi, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and From Dusk Till Dawn.
LA SHICA: FLAMENCO FUSION ARTIST: Fri March 15/8 pm/$15 advance; $18 @ door/Dome Theatre

Winner of the 2011 Spanish Music Award for Best New Act,La Shica's songs
are fused with copla music and an urban hip-hop sound while she
entertains with flamenco dancing.
JARDIN EN EL MAR (A Garden in the Sea): Thu March 15/7 pm/Free/Dome Theatre

This new film is about an underwater installation in the Mexican Sea of
Cortez created by Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias and commissioned by
Mexican philanthropist Manuel Arango.  
MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND: Sat March 17/8 pm/$20/Ballroom

DJ and producer Camilo Lara is the one-man dynamo behind this electronic
music project. The Indie Music Award-winning group mixes mariachi and
cumbia with hip-hop, rock, and thunderous beats.
WOMEN IN SALSA SHOW + DANCE PARTY: Sat March 24/8 pm/ $10 advance; $15 @ door/Ballroom

Eighteen salsaeras perform, followed by a DJ night featuring DJ Emilly “La Taina” and DJ Nancy Alonso.  
SURREALISM WORKSHOPS: UNDERSTANDING FRIDA'S CREATIVE CLIMATE

Adult Surrealism Workshop/ Sat March 24/ 5-8 pm/$12 (ages 18+; limited to 24 participants)

Family Surrealism Workshop/Sun March 25/1-4 pm/Free (ages 5+; space is limited - RSVP to rmayo@arlingtonva.us)

Frida Kahlo''s surrealistic work wove fact and fantasy together. Join
artist and magician David London and explore play through hand-on
activities, including surrealist games like The Exquisite Corpse,
Collage, and Automatic Writing. 

These facsimile photographs come from the collection of the Frida Kahlo
Museum, Coyoacán, Mexico.  They are reproductions of the original
photographs owned by the Frida Kahlo Museum and Banco de México,
Fiduciary in the Trust of the Museums Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. This
exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Frida Kahlo Museum,
Coyoacán, Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute.