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21
saturday
The District of Columbia Arts Center gallery is minuscule compared to the gargantuan space the National Gallery devoted to dadaism earlier this year, but “Herb’s Choice: Born Again Dada” reminds viewers that anti-art art doesn’t need a grand scale. Paul Thomas’ standout works—prints of former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Woodrow Wilson sporting some hot-lady ’dos—feature an image of curled women’s hair on one side of each president’s head. And dada wouldn’t be dada without the social commentary, supplied by Linda Hesh’s racks of white T-shirts sporting such sardonic slogans as “I like black people…thank you for cleaning,” and “I like brown people…please don’t come here” printed across them. In the background, a noisy video installation squeaks, farts, jingles, and emits an occasional “awoogah!” Perhaps they couldn’t fit the 16 player pianos it takes to perform George Antheil’s Le Ballet Mécanique. The exhibition is on view from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, to Sunday, Nov. 5, at the District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. Free. (202) 462-7833. (Kim Rinehimer)