Museum of Contemporary Art DC · 2002–2013

Museum of Contemporary Art DC

Five shows in eleven years at MOCA DC in Georgetown’s Canal Square, from a DC Commission fellowship show to “The Art of Politics.”

Where: 1054 31st Street NW, Canal Square, Georgetown
Years: 2002 · 2005 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013
On this page: 6 records · 3 in full · 4 pictures

The Museum of Contemporary Art DC, in Georgetown’s Canal Square, showed Matt Sesow’s paintings again and again: a DC Commission on the Arts fellowship show in 2002, “What’s So Terrible About Being Beautiful?” in 2005 (with his own video of the opening), a 2010 show, “Political Potpourri” in 2011 and “The Art of Politics” in 2013.

Everything that happened

6 records

Jun, 2002DC Commission Grant Fellowship exhibition, MOCA DC, Washington, DCExhibitions
May 29, 2005Washington Post — listing for a group show at MOCA DC / A+M GalleriesPress
Jun, 2005“What’s So Terrible About Being Beautiful?”Exhibitions
Feb 12, 2010Museum of Contemporary Art DC, GeorgetownExhibitions
2011, 2011Political Potpourri — MOCA DC, Georgetown, Washington, DCExhibitions
Sep 14, 2013The Art of Politics, MOCA DC, Washington, DCExhibitions

Pictures

4 · click to enlarge

Washingtonian, June 2005: “Art Show Questions Modern Notion of Beauty — Four Washington Artists Take Different Approaches to Common Theme at · 2005

“babe.” 18 × 24 in., oil on watercolor paper — one of the five paintings in the show · 2005

“hottie.” 18 × 24 in., oil on watercolor paper — one of the five paintings in the show · 2005

“handsome.” 18 × 24 in., oil on watercolor paper — one of the five paintings in the show · 2005

Video

Video from the opening of What’s So Terrible About Being Beautiful?, MOCA DC, June 2005. Matt Sesow’s own footage, 36 min.

In their words

An art exhibition on human allure featuring works by fashion photographer Peter Photikoe plus Andrew Wodzianski, Joyce Zipperer and Matt Sesow.
The Washington Post, The Washington Post, 2005-05-29

In their words

Matt Sesow, a former IBM programmer who lives in Washington, uses a modern painting style to address people’s preconceived notions of beauty.
Mary Clare F. (byline partly legible on the scan), Washingtonian, “Art Show Questions Modern Notion of Beauty,” June 2005

In their words

next up... show at the museum of contemporary art dc/georgetown (MOCA) on the 12th
Matt Sesow, Facebook, February 1, 2010

In their words

Lisa Dee Schumaier, Matt Sesow, Eric “E-Baby” Smith, Henrik Sundqvist, Roy Utley and Asad “Ultra” Walker.
James George, Arlington Examiner, Aug. 17, 2013

The press, in full

every article, complete

May 29, 2005 · the record

Washington Post — listing for a group show at MOCA DC / A+M Galleries

The article — full text

Saved copy · 6 pages

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks

The Washington Post · May 29, 2005 · original address

Lists the MOCA DC / A+M Galleries group show that included Sesow. The full text below comes

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks, page 1 — Page 1

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks, page 2 — Page 2

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks, page 3 — Page 3

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A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks, page 6 — Page 6

Click a page to open it — scroll or pinch to zoom, drag to move, arrow keys for the next page.

Full text

Full text as published. Copyright remains with the original publisher; reproduced here for the historical record (machine-read pages may contain small errors — check the page images).

HE CHANEL MYSTIQUE ~ Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fashion historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank talks about Gabrielle "Coco! Chanel, the orphan-turned-fashion ica who introduced the litle Dlack dress. Corvoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. $22. 202-639-1770.

WHAT'S SO TERRIBLE AROUT BEING BEAUTIFUL? -- Opens Friday, Reception 6-9 p.m. Through July 2. An art exhibition on buman allure featuring works by fashion photographer Peter Photkoe plus “Andrew Wodzienel Joyee Zipperer and Matt Sesow, MOCA DC/A+04 Galleries, 1054 9138 St. NW. Free. 202-342-6230,

FOR SISTERS ONLY ~ Saturday, 1 axm.-8 pum. WPGC’ eighth annual chopping expo for baek women features wares from more than 200 stall businesses, pls appearances by musicians Faith, Ciara, Rahoors DeVaughn and New Edition. Washington Convention Center, Sos Mount Vernon PL NW. $20. 301-918-0955 or 202-997-7328,

Jayee Zipperer's "The Lure” isin "What's So

‘ersible About Being Beautiful?”

[page 2 machine-read (OCR) from the image]

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks A few free events that seem li ...

May 29, 2005 By Cheap . . .

A few free events that seem like they should cost big bucks, plus some that are so stylish, they're worth the money.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT -- Today at 8 p.m. A program of music by Trace Adkins, Vanessa Williams, the National Symphony Orchestra and others. Plus documentary footage commemorating the 60th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima, dramatic readings and more. West lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Free. 202-467-4600.

PAELLA FESTIVAL -- Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Executive Chef Jose Andres and Chef Quim Marques of El Suquet L'Allmiral in Barcelona prepare a giant paella on the restaurant's patio and dish out free samples. Jaleo, 2250A Crystal Dr., Arlington. Free. 703-413-8181.

ANNUAL MUSEUM WALK WEEKEND -- Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; June 5, 1-5 p.m. Dupont and Kalorama galleries are open for tours and activities, including live music, fashion shows and a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt. Participating museums include the Phillips Collection and the Textile Museum. Shuttle buses run from the south side of Dupont Circle NW. Free. 202-387-4062, Ext. 12.

WASHINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL -- Saturday, noon-11:30 p.m.; June 5, noon-6 p.m. Features music, dance, storytelling and crafts from local artists representing cultures from around the world. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Free. 301-320-7757.

. . . & Chic THE CHANEL MYSTIQUE -- Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fashion historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank talks about Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the orphan-turned-fashion icon who introduced the little black dress. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. $22. 202-639-1770.

WHAT'S SO TERRIBLE ABOUT BEING BEAUTIFUL? -- Opens Friday. Reception 6-9 p.m. Through July 1. An art exhibition on human allure featuring works by fashion photographer Peter Photikoe plus Andrew Wodzianski, Joyce Zipperer and Matt Sesow. MOCA DC/A+M Galleries, 1054 31st St. NW. Free. 202-342-6230.

FOR SISTERS ONLY -- Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. WPGC's eighth annual shopping expo for black women features wares from more than 200 small businesses, plus appearances by musicians Faith, Ciara, Raheem DeVaughn and New Edition. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW. $10. 301-918-0955 or 202-397-7328.

Joyce Zipperer's "The Lure" is in "What's So Terrible About Being Beautiful?"

Jun, 2005 · the record

“What’s So Terrible About Being Beautiful?”

Postcard/invitation · 2005-06-03 to 2005-07-01

What's so terrible about being Beautiful? (the art of human allure)

MOCA DC / A&M Galleries

What's so terrible about being Beautiful? (the art of human allure), page 2 — What's so terrible about being Beautiful? — reverse

Click a page to open it — scroll or pinch to zoom, drag to move.

Full text

Photographed by Matt Sesow from his press packets, October 18, 2026; text transcribed from the photos by Claude.

[Card front:]
four artists. one question:

matt SESOW andrew WODZIANSKI joyce ZIPPERER peter PHOTIKOE

What's so terrible about being Beautiful?
(the art of human allure)

[Card back:]

june 3 - july 1, 2005 OPENING RECEPTION JUNE 3, 6 - 9 PM mocadc / a&m galleries 1054 31ST ST., NW CANAL SQUARE WASHINGTON, DC 202.342.6230

[Handwritten on album page:] Museum of Contemporary Art Georgetown, DC group show June 2005

From the press archive — full text

Press archive

Museum of Contemporary Art DC

Full text of the clippings, machine-read from the scans (may contain small errors; check the images).

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Art Show Questions Modern Notion of Beauty

Four Washington Artists Take Different Approaches to Common Theme at MOCA DC

When you first meet him, you can’t help but notice that Peter Photikoe, the spirited curator of the exhibit "What's So Terrible About Being Beautiful?", has an outline of a star shaved into the left side of his head. Like the artist himself, his exhibit challenges onlookers to see beyond the surface into the meaning behind people and beauty.

Located in the Museum of Contemporary Art, a small ground-level gallery in Georgetown’s Canal Square, the exhibit assembled by Photikoe features his photographs and the works of three other Washington artists: Matt Sesow, Andrew Wodzianski, and Joyce Zipperer. Although each artist has his or her own style, their works in this exhibit address the same subject: beauty.

Photikoe says the idea grew out of his fascination

with fashion photography. He grew up in a

household full of women and fashion magazines.

Although he always has admired the work of

photographers like Irving Penn of Vogue, (whose

platinum prints go on display on June 19 in the

National Gallery of Art’s West Building), Photikoe

thinks fashion photography has become Photo by Phat

progressively more shallow since Penn snapped his models in the 1950s and ‘60s. Today people are bombarded with images of “perfect” women, and people no longer see the models as humans. With the exhibit, Photikoe hopes to reintroduce depth and humanity into the notion of beauty. Visitors can expect the works to zero in on a wide range of specific themes—such as deformity, religion, bondage, commercialism, costume art, mask iconography, and homoeroticism—in the larger context of beauty.

Here are four works that illustrate what's on view at the exhibit:

Photikoe’s photographs of women incorporate the usual elements of fashion photography, such as lighting and makeup. But he places his models in compromising, offensive positions to force the audience to react. His works ask: Have we been so bombarded by fashion photography that even degrading images like this do not offend us? Are we willing to see the subject as a human or do we only see her as a model—a prop within the lens frame?

Matt Sesow, a former IBM programmer who lives in Washington, uses a modern painting style to address People’s preconceived notions of beauty. Many of his paintings are influenced by childhood trauma—an accident When he was eight led to the amputation of his left hand,

Maryland Institute College of Art alum Andrew Wodzianski uses a classical painting technique to portray himself in bizarre situations. Masks, and their role in hiding beauty, are central to his work.

Joyce Zipperer, a Springfield graphic nee

artist, painter, and costume and clothing designer, creates sculptures of women’s undergarments from metal and metallic fabrics. Her work, like this corset, raises questions about the relationship between beauty and constraint.

left this exhibit with more questions about society’s view of beauty than answers. But if Photikoe’s goal is to spark

discussion and challenge traditional views, his exhibit is a by Zpperer SUCCESS.

All of the works in the exhibit are for sale and range from $200 to $3,500. ‘Admission is free; the exhibit runs through July 1 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (1054 3ist St., NW; 202-342-6230; www.mocadc.org).

MARY CLARE Fl

Matt’s original sesow.com page about it

Matt Sesow at MOCA DC: 2005

Matt Sesow at MOCA DC

"What's So Terrible About Being Beautiful"?

June 2005, Washington, DC

"babe."

18" x 24"

oil on watercolor paper

"hottie."

18" x 24"

oil on watercolor paper

"handsome."

18" x 24"

oil on watercolor paper

"beautiful."

18" x 24"

oil on watercolor paper

"perfect catch."

18" x 24"

oil on watercolor paper

Feb 12, 2010 · the record

Museum of Contemporary Art DC, Georgetown

The article — full text

Saved copy · 2 pages

Museum of Contemporary Art DC — home page

MOCA DC (mocadc.org) · Wayback capture January 27, 2010 · original address

The gallery's own page from the weeks before the February 12, 2010 show; it describes MOCA DC

Museum of Contemporary Art DC — home page, page 1 — Page 1

Museum of Contemporary Art DC — home page, page 2 — Page 2

Click a page to open it — scroll or pinch to zoom, drag to move, arrow keys for the next page.

Full text

Full text as published. Copyright remains with the original publisher; reproduced here for the historical record (machine-read pages may contain small errors — check the page images).

Museum of Contemporary Art DC — home page January Every Picture Tells a Story Special events this month:

Space donated to Congregation Beth Emeth Chai School's Parsha Project Artwork by students in grades 8 through 10 at the religious school in Herndon, VA As part of our commitment to furthering the arts, we donate space to a variety of college, high school and special needs students throughout the year. If you have or know of someone who may qualify for this please contact us.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Friday 1 pm to 6 pm; Saturday 1 pm to 5 pm or by appointment: 202 342-6230 Galleries 1054 in Canal Square, 1054 31st St., NW, Washington, DC 20007 MOCA DC Facilities and Services: Complete Photography Studio * Free Secure Wireless N WiFi * Curate Your Own Show * Artist/Modeling Stage * Convert Slides to CD/DVD * Print Booklet of Your Art * Rent Gallery for Social/Business/Meetings.

MOCA DC is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) art gallery incorporated in the District of Columbia. Located in the heart of Georgetown within a mile of the White House, the gallery is dedicated to serving artists who produce quality work but are not served or are under-served by mainstream galleries. Our mission is to be open to all artists all the time.

Check our exhibition schedule for shows that may interest you. We have a new exhibit each month. We rely on dues, entry fees and donations for our operating budget:. Your donation will allow us to continue to support artists who deserve to have their work shown in a mainstream gallery. MOCA DC VIDEO Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Friday 1 pm to 6 pm; Saturday 1 pm to 5 pm or by appointment: 202 342-6230 Galleries 1054 in Canal Square, 1054 31st St., NW, Washington, DC 20007

Matt at the time

his own posts

2010 · Museum of Contemporary Art DC, Georgetown

Matt at the time · his Facebook posts

February 1, 2010

next up... show at the museum of contemporary art dc/georgetown (MOCA) on the 12th, and then the 3rd 'under the influence' show at Aroma on the 13th... both here in dc.

Cite this pageSesow, Matt. “Museum of Contemporary Art DC.” Matt Sesow Career History. history.sesow.com/show/moca-dc.html. Accessed [date].