December 2- 8, 2004

first friday focus

first friday focus

The Mastbaum Theater, built in 1929, once stood at 20th and Market, but was demolished in 1958.

by Lori Hill

The Athenaeum

In American public architecture, not much comes close to the grandeur of the old movie palace. Lavish lobbies, stately staircases, stunning glass and tilework—United Artists' neon multiplexes are sterile, humdrum warehouses in comparison. Going to a movie circa 1928 was an event, and Moorish and Egyptian influences in the design made audiences feel like they were on an exotic getaway. The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles and the Oriental in Chicago (where ushers even wore turbans!) are some of the survivors; now many play host to Broadway shows in addition to repertory film screenings—a route the Boyd might have to take just to remain standing. For the last few years, the Boyd (better known lately as the Sameric) has come perilously close to a wrecking-ball fate, but a nonprofit group called Friends of the Boyd has been working to avoid that. A new photography exhibition organized by the Friends proves that Philadelphia had its share of grand theaters. Sadly, the art deco structures and gorgeous details of houses like the Uptown, the Earle and the Mastbaum are now long gone. But not forgotten, thanks to the photography in the Glazer and Magaziner collections at the Athenaeum. "Philadelphia's Lost Movie Palaces" will feature architectural drawings, demolition photos, and interior and exterior details of these era-definining buildings.

Dec. 6-10, open 9-5 p.m., 219 S. Sixth St., 215-925-2688.

Fabric Workshop and Museum

Anything titled "Experiments with Truth" is asking for trouble. But a survey of international documentaries, shorts and feature-length work in film and video? In a fifth-floor walkup gallery space? Well, that's just crazy. The challenges to the Fabric Workshop's new exhibition— in formats from digital to 16 mm to slide projections -- could have been paralyzing. Besides the dizzying scope of the international scene, there's the always-perplexing question of how to present these contemporary, often complex, works in a compelling way for gallery audiences. FWM enlisted London curator Mark Nash as the gatekeeper and called in architectural and installation consultants to design effective display areas. The exhibit features work from big cities like Berlin and London but also surprises like Igloolik, an Inuit territory in Northern Canada, represented by the film Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner). Look out especially for House of Osama Bin Laden Suite, an interactive digital animation work that's up for Britain's prestigious Turner Prize as we speak. Isaac Julien, Glenn Ligon and the cooperative Multiplicity are among the 13 artists whose work will be shown. An impressive schedule of film programming, including discussions with artists themselves, is slated for Feb. 4-24 at venues across the city. For now, the exhibit's opening this Friday nicely coincides with FWM's annual holiday party. Cheers to telling the truth.

Opening Reception and Holiday Party, Fri., Dec. 3, 5:30-9:30 p.m., 1315 Cherry St., fifth floor, 215-568-1111.

And Then There'sé

Besides the Clay Studio's "Gifted," Rosenfeld Gallery's small works exhibit and the other great holiday shows, consider these:

Bartender-photographer Sarah Stolfa brings her New York Times-honored series "The Regulars" to Drexel, where she's studying her craft (photography, not bartending). While working at McGlinchey's, Stolfa shot the barflies in their natural habitat and the collection took first place in a Times national student competition. Stolfa's deft combination of warm and scientific approaches results in spot-on captures of bar culture. Through Dec. 10, Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, 33rd and Market sts., 215-895-2548. … Last year, No Name Art Group asked artists to make fairy-tale-themed bookmarks and donated the proceeds to First Book Philadelphia, which provides books to underprivileged kids. No Name is up to their altruistic tricks again. This time, artists worked with the saying, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Votive candles featuring reproductions of the works will be sold for $5, with proceeds going to a few charities in addition to First Book—Mercy Corps, Philabundance and Trees For Life. Fri., Dec. 3, 5-9 p.m., 2428 Brown St., www.nonameartgroup.com.