Who's Next?

THE PARTY With a poolside concert on opening night, panel discussions, exhibitions and a lively block party, (e)merge art fair, the brainchild of Helen Allen, Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith, put the spotlight on DC art’s next crop of creative minds. THE PEOPLE Chelsea Clinton, Dani Levinas, Fred Ognibene, Henry Thaggert, Jane and Calvin Cafritz, Tony and Heather Podesta and Dorothy Kosinski were among the District’s broad mix of art advocates, dealers, artists and culturally curious who came together for the four-day event. BEST IN SHOW With more than 80 exhibitors including established institutions, galleries and unrepresented artists, (e)merge bridged the gap between the mainstream and underground. Guests took in an all-day endurance performance by two tethered women. Manhattan-based Lu Magnus Gallery exhibited colorful works in gouache and ink by Libyan artist Fawad Kahan. Mera Rubell, contemporary art’s own di Medici, gave Richmond-based artist, Wilmer Wilson IV, her seal of approval during a panel discussion. She was captivated by his performance piece, during which Wilson covered himself in bandages and “I Voted” stickers. Rubell urged the crowd to snatch up a print from the piece, but to leave one for her, an act of patronage that left the audience buzzing! Photography by Tony Brown