What’s On: Democratic National Convention

photograph courtesy of www.mintmuseum.org

As the Democratic National Convention approaches, many Charlotte museums are hosting exhibitions with political ties or themes. Below is a brief guide of all the exhibitions on display from September 3 through September 6, 2012. Local Charlotte residents as well as visitors to the city may find respite in a local museum during the hectic days of the DNC.

Read My Pins: the Madeleine Albright Collection

On display until September 23 at the Mint Museum Uptown, Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection is a traveling exhibition exploring both the history of America and the intricacies of foreign policy through jewelry. Spanning more than a century of design as well as originating from countries across the globe, over 200 pieces of jewelry are on display. The exhibition features an accompanying book, “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box.” For more information visit www.mintmuseum.org.

Hard Truths: the Art of Thornton Dial

Photograph courtesy of www.mintmuseum.org

Also on display at the Mint Museum Uptown, Hard Truths: the Art of Thornton Dial displays a wide range of art featuring social and political subjects including commentaries on the homeless, environmental disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the War in Iraq, and the tragedy of 9/11. The exhibition features paintings and sculpture constructed with symbolically charged materials such as plastic grave flowers, children’s toys, and cow skulls. An illustrated catalog, “Hard Truths: the Art of Thornton Dial” is available. For more information visit www.mintmuseum.org.

Giacometti: Memory and Presence

Photograph courtesty of www.bechtler.org

Opening just in time for the DNC, Giacometti: Memory and Presence at The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art presents sculptures, paintings, prints, and drawings which span the artistic career of Alberto Giacometti, a well-known Swiss artist. According to the Bechtler website, the exhibition aims to “reveal the aesthetic evolution, emotional power and existential qualities” of Giacometti’s work. For more information visit www.bechtler.org.

Silent Heroes

One of numerous exhibitions on display at the Museum of the New South, the exhibition Silent Heroes was a collaborative effort between the museum, a non-profit organization titled Silent Images, and the citizens of the Charlotte area. Founded in 2007, Silent Images utilizes journalistic photography, videography, and writing to tell stories of hope during difficult times. According to the Museum of the New South’s website, Silent Images asked citizens of Charlotte to “submit photo[graph]s identifying the unseen heroes of Charlotte.” These photographs were then put on exhibition at the Museum beginning in mid-July. On display until December 31, the exhibition centers on the idea of hope in the midst of difficult times, an idea all Americans can identify with due to the current economic troubles.

The Discovery Place Museum will feature two exhibitions during the DNC, entitled National Geographic Crittercam: the World Through Animal Eyes and World Alive. While providing no direct tie to politics, these two exhibitions will prove a relaxing break from the chaotic uptown streets during the DNC.

Whether you plan to venture uptown during the DNC or not, these exhibitions will be on display well after the Democratic National Convention ends on September 6. Be sure to take the time to see the wonderful shows on display at various museums in the Charlotte area this fall.