JANUARY 20

Although Gary Simmons’ chalk drawings are pulled from a now-familiar postmodernist bag of tricks, they pack a considerable psychic punch. Based on the racist stereotypes of old cartoons, they wage a battle between childhood affection and adult good sense, resounding with the betrayal of bad things loved too early. In case you no longer recognize the enemy (or perhaps are too young to have met them, their popularity having waned), Simmons and Princeton University cultural critic Gina Dent will use slides and film clips to put Bosko and his pals through their paces in a discussion of “Cartoons, Popular Images, and Culture” at 8 p.m. (the “Directions—Gary Simmons” exhibit will be open prior to the lecture at 7 p.m.) at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden’s Ring Auditorium, 7th & Independence Ave. SW. FREE. (202) 357-2700. (Glenn Dixon)