Insider

Targeted Art
Exhibition, Jan 28-April 29
Jasper Johns—one of finest living painters in America—is the subject of this exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Jasper Johns: An Allegory of Painting, 1955-1965 presents some of the artist’s most iconic paintings and prints in the decade following his destruction in 1954 of all his existing work to that point. Four specific motifs in John’s work—the target, the “device,” the stenciled naming of colors and the imprint of the body— are examined in chronological groups along with their significance to following generations of artists.
www.nga.gov

The Magic Behind the Kingdom
Travel Guide
Going on vacation to Walt Disney World is an experience you’ll never forget, and it can be perfect if you prepare. The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation, by Steven M. Barrett, is filled with insider information to ensure you get the most out of your trip. The author is a Disney regular who has tried and tested every single tactic in the book—and now he is sharing his secrets. With tour plans, restaurant ratings, tips on the least crowded bathrooms and shadiest spots to watch parades, this book is a must-have read for Mickey fans. www.theotherorlando.com $15

Digging It
Interactive Adventure
Go back in time to ancient Egypt at the brand new interactive TOMB adventure at the 5-WITS entertainment venue in Boston. It’s part video game, haunted house, museum exhibit and choose-your-own-adventure book—an enchanting experience reminiscent of some of Disney’s newer attractions. Groups of up to 15 explorers weave their way through the archaeological dig site, armed with flashlights, to meet the challenges set by the Pharaoh. Thanks to the alternate plot elements, you can have a different experience each time you visit.
www.5-wits.com

Successful Designs
New Exhibit
On January 12th, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is opening the Designs for Life exhibit, exploring the work of African-American industrial designers. Part of the six-week annual Black Creativity program, the exhibition will showcase designers such as Wilson Smith of Nike and Ralph Gilles of DaimlerChrysler. Visitors will have the opportunity to design a sneaker, as well as to create and test their own chair, experiencing for themselves the challenges of this often overlooked creative field of work.
www.msichicago.org