Seattle Gay News
Issue 31, Volume 45, August 4, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
SIFF welcomes Beth Barrett “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity as its new Artistic Director Mirrors” at SAM is stunning and an exhibit worth seeing
Yayoi Kusama's “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins” – Photo courtesy of SAM
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Beth Barrett – Photo courtesy of SIFF
Beth Barrett, former Director of Programming, has been named SIFF’s new Artistic Director. With her advancement, Barrett becomes SIFF’s first female Artistic Director, one of only a select few women in the United States holding this position for a major film festival. Barrett assumed the mantle of Interim Artistic Director last October, leading the organization though a very successful 43rd Seattle International Film Festival.
Barrett began her career at SIFF in 2003, in the Publications department as a volunteer Copy Editor. By 2006 she had worked her way up to Programming Manager, eventually moving into the role of Director of Programming in 2011. Since then she has been responsible for managing all aspects of film programming, from overseeing the staff of film programmers,
see BARRETT page 5
“YAYOI KUSAMA: INFINITY MIRRORS” SEATTLE ART MUSEUM Through September 10 I wasn’t an art major in college. And I’m certainly not an art expert. But I can tell you what I think is really cool to see, such as the “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors” exhibit at SAM (Seattle Art Museum). Almost a month into its run (it opened June 30), the exhibit has drawn crowds by
the thousands and will continue to do so through September 10, when it closes, as advance and reserved tickets are completely sold out. Fortunately, the museum has a limited number of tickets available at 10am for walk-up purchase on a first-come, firstserve basis on the days it’s open. Kusama is world renowned for her collection of work, which took flight here in Seattle with her first solo show at the Zoë Dusanne Gallery in 1957. From there, she moved to New York and eventually relocated to her native Japan. And at 88 years old,
see MIRRORS page 10
Statements After An Arrest Bigelow’s Detroit a historical wakeup call a timely & compelling drama
John Boyega in Detroit – Photo courtesy of Annapurna Pictures
by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer DETROIT Now playing There’s a lot to unpack as it concerns director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal’s Detroit, and writing a coherent review about the film feels almost impossible. This is the type of motion picture that needs more than a few days to mull over, its layers, ideas, concepts and themes one that live and breathe in ways that are decidedly multifaceted and bruising in their visceral
complexity. Make no mistake, much like the pair’s previous two political dramas, the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker and the haunting Zero Dark Thirty, this one will be discussed, debated and dissected for years to come, and considering the import of the story being told that’s exactly as it should be. What can be said with instant recognition is that Bigelow is at the very top of her game. The talented filmmaker proves once again she is one of the great directorial talents working today and has been for
see DETROIT page 8
Darien Torbert and Amanda Rae in Statements After An Arrest – Photo by Dave Hastings
by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT THEATER SCHMEATER Through August 12 A production of the Athol Fugard play, Statements After An Arrest Under the Immorality Act, is kind of a must-see produc-
tion. It reminds us that there was a time not that far in the past where intermingling and romance and sex between folks of different shades of melanin were declared illegal. This happened in South Africa with national laws, but also in the United States in various areas. The play includes an even more difficult emotional situation because Errol Philan-
see STATEMENTS page 4