Whether you remember shopping at Kann’s Department Store or just love retro store signs aesthetically pleasing, you’ll find something to enjoy with the Arlington Abstracted program from the Arlington Art Truck. Before the Art Truck finishes up its 2018 season, those interested can stop by the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City on Halloween to take in a little bit of Arlington history and make original art, possibly even something the whole county can enjoy.
Arlington Abstracted is the final installation for the inaugural season of the Arlington Art Truck, which began last April and is run by Cynthia Connolly, the special projects curator for Arlington Arts.
“I think about what people here in Arlington might be interested in doing or facets of Arlington that are of interest that I want to reveal to them,” says Connolly. “So one of them [is] some of the older businesses and some of the cool signs that we used to have here that have gone away for different reasons.”
To help with this, Connolly enlisted the help of D.C. artist Marc Pekala, whose past work has included taking Go-Go posters from the ’60s and ’70s and cutting them up into pieces and rearranging them into abstract art work. Pekala did the same for the classic signs of Kann’s, Weenie Beenie, the Sears Roebuck and Company in Clarendon, Moore’s Barber Shop, the old Parkington mall, Bob Peck Chevrolet, Henderson’s Ice House and Hot Shoppes. People can take 2-inch magnetic squares of these signs—about 600, per Connolly—and attach them to a metal sheet for their very own abstract representation of historic Arlington.
While these pieces can’t be taken home, there is a way for the work to last. Photos will be taken of individuals’ creations and shared on social media with the hashtag #ArlingtonAbstracted. With that they are also entered for consideration into becoming the next ground mural at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. in Courthouse. Connolly, along with others from the Public Arts, Cultural Affairs and Inspection Services Division, who has served as a community partner for Arlington Abstracted, will determine which piece will be the model for the mural.
In addition to the art, the Arlington Art Truck brings information on the old businesses and their impact on Arlington. “So it gives you an idea of what Arlington was like,” Connolly says.
The Arlington Art Truck will be at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 31. This is the final time the Art Truck will be out until April 2019. // Fashion Centre: 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington; arts.arlingtonva.us/arlington-art-truck
