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New exhibits open at the ICA for spring

Get a sneak peek at the spring season and a special event on Friday

The exterior of the Institute of Contemporary Art, looking down West Broad Street.

The ICA reopens with three new exhibitions and a premiere event.

Photo by @maurv2

Mark your calendar for this Friday, Feb. 16 — that’s when the Spring 2024 season starts at the Institute for Contemporary Art. Richmonders can explore three new exhibitions starting at a free community event that evening.

Opening on Friday are “Traces of Ecstasy,” “Patrice Renee Washington: Tendril,” and a second iteration of “MURRMUR” called “Blurs and Senses.”

Traces of Ecstasy” features work from multiple artists including sculpture, installations, video, digital art, drawings, and performance. It’s an adaptation of an exhibition which premiered this month at the Lagos Biennial.

RICtoday_Washington_ICA_Spring2024

Patrice Renee Washington, Tendersweet, 2023. Marinaro Gallery, New York.

Artwork © Patrice Renee Washington, photograph courtesty Marinaro Gallery

The solo exhibition “Tendril” uses ceramics to explore how identity can be manipulated and shaped to create cultural symbols. In particular, Washington looks at how certain symbols can hold opposing and multi-layered meanings.

Bonus: Washington is scheduled to give a talk at the museum on Friday, March 22.

MURRMUR: Blurs and Senses” continues its predecessor’s investigation of how people think about reading, publishing, and distributing art. It will challenge guests to identify their impulses about curating, discarding, collecting, and preserving.

The season premiere event starts Friday at 6 p.m. The program will include a performance by artist Raymond Pinto, light refreshments, food trucks, and tunes from DJ Raneshounds. Although the event is free and open to the public, registration is recommended.

Can’t make the premiere? No worries. All three exhibits will be open until June 9.

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