Rogue Art at Rouge

Laurel Kellner—Berkeley grad and NG Geotourism Coordinator—passed us the following tip:

A South American penguin made a surprise appearance at Darren Smith's art opening two weeks ago. His work is the latest in a rotating, monthly art exhibit showcased in the bar and lounge area of the Hotel Rouge—one of D.C.'s hippest hotels, where a SeaWorld penguin-handler happened to be staying. Smith's kaleidoscopic picture mosaics present places you've seen in ways you've never seen them. By cutting up multiple prints of a subject and piecing them together in new configurations, the artist creates a Magic Eye-style vision of the world around us. Think surrealism with a cubist touch.

"I was always fascinated by geometry," Darren told me, "so I use it to shape my work." Spires, abundant in Dupont Circle architecture, become delicate snowflake designs; palm trees bend into a "Bermuda Triangle"; and mundane street signs multiply into looming skyscrapers.

My favorite: "Dreaming California," a brilliant composition blending California quintessentials—beach scenes, blue sky, and the freeway overpass—into a perfect portrait of the Golden State, served up in the shape of…a car tire.

The work will be shown through July 5. Apparently, penguins are welcome.