So Flat, So Full

When H&R Block Artspace opens 2010 Kansas City Flatfile tonight, not even the director and curator, Raechell Smith, will have seen every piece in the biennial exhibition. With 180 artists in the drawers, a viewer would need a few visits to see them all. “This is the largest group we’ve had,” Smith says. “A lot of them are new to the Flatfile — new [Kansas City Art Institute] graduates and younger artists.” And marquee names are represented, too: David Ford, Ari Fish, Archie Scott Gobber, Peregrine Honig, and Anne Lindberg are among the established artists contributing pieces. Artspace is also installing, Smith says, “salon walls” to give voice to several artists at once (and give budding curators, working with Artspace, a chance to show their eyes). The free opening is from 6 to 8 p.m. at Artspace (16 East 43rd Street). The show stays up through September 25. Call 816-561-5563 for details.

June 18-Sept. 25, 2010