Weekly Art Lens by Beth Shook

Detail from Daniela Edburg, La tormenta, 2010, Digital print. On view this week at the Art Museum of the Americas. Image courtesy the AMA.

E8: Sculpture
Transformer’s eighth annual “Exercises for Emerging Artists” culminates in three week-long exhibitions of site-specific work by the emerging sculptors Oreen Cohen, Lindsay Rowinski and Sean Lundgren. First up is Cohen — you may recall the “sketchbook” incorporating a dead bird from her last Transformer appearance. Here her sculptures explore the link between terrain, war and collective memory by way of two contested sites: Israel and Bull Run in Virginia. Cohen’s work will be on view until July 16.
Where: Transformer (Metro: Dupont Circle or U Street-Cardozo)
When: E8 on view from July 7 to Aug. 13. Opening reception for Oreen Cohen: Running Drill on July 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
How Much: Free

Possible Worlds: Photography and Fiction in Mexican Contemporary Art
The Mexican Cultural Institute, a cultural arm of the Embassy of Mexico, has been quite active this year in promoting the visual arts of Mexico around the city. Their latest project, which opens tomorrow evening, is a collaboration with the Art Museum of the Americas. Curated by art historian Marisol Argüelles, Possible Worlds brings together the work of nine Mexican photographers who depart from the documentary approach to explore dream worlds, myths, utopias and dystopias. The museum has begun posting short bios of the artists on their new blog.
Where: Art Museum of the Americas (Metro: Farragut West)
When: July 7 to Aug. 28. Gallery talk with curator on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. with the opening reception to follow. RSVP required.
How Much: Free

Continues after the jump.

gute aussichten: new german photography 2010/2011
Another annual exhibition, gute aussichten (literally, “good prospects”) showcases new work by photography grad students from Germany. Themes and methods are all over the place, and the Institut website offers a small preview of works on view.
Where: The Goethe Institut (Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown)
When: Until Sept. 2.
How Much: Free

ACADEMY 2011
For a sampling of work by Washington-area art students, stop by Conner Contemporary this weekend. The gallery will be celebrating 19 BFA and MFA students from local colleges by displaying their painting, photography, installations and performance art, as well as awarding two prizes, one of which will grant the artist space at the (e)merge art fair in September at the Capitol Skyline Hotel. The exhibition opening will be accompanied by an (e)merge panel and party.
Where: Conner Contemporary (Metrobus: X2 or 93)
When: July 9 to Aug. 22. Opening reception on July 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. (e)merge panel discussion at 5 p.m.
How Much: Free

Short list: Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here at Gallery 31 at the Corcoran; “Arshile Gorky in Perspective” talk at the National Gallery of Art; “Michael F. Rhode: Functional to Conceptual” at the Textile Museum.