How often have you heard the phrase, "There is nothing to do in this city, it's so boring!"? I used to be one of those people that believed we lived in a place where there were bars and movie theaters and that was about the range of the activities the weekend would bring. I quickly learned that in this city, especially inside the cultural districts, one can find so much more to do with your dollar on the weekend besides another matinee.

You have heard me talk about the IDADA (Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association) First Fridays by now, which are always a great start to the weekend and always free.

On Friday, June 5th we started the weekend on Mass Ave, the crowd was a little thin, but I cannot blame anyone, for the weather was perfect outside and not standing in a gallery is just what this night had to offer. Installation-Nation was a two day outside art installation put on by Primary Colours inside shipping containers. This unique art event took place both June 5 & 6 at 500 N. College Avenue in a vacant lot. Thirteen artists from around the Midwest were selected to create ten installation pieces within five large, metal shipping containers in a space measuring 8ft wide by 8ft high and 20ft in length. Installation Nation is the tenth event that Primary Colours, the Indianapolis-based arts nonprofit has hosted in a vacant space.

Being that I had to close up a gallery before I could head out to enjoy the evening, it was after 9pm by the time I stepped out onto Mass Ave with my husband. First we stopped by Sage (717 Mass Ave), a chic little boutique specializing in unique designer clothing, to check out art of a different kind, clothes! After finishing up there, it was next door to Chatham Tap for a tasty bite to eat...some of the best fish n' chips in the city and my husbands favorite, Boddingtons to drink. After we had filled our bellies we walked over to check out the vibes at Installation-Nation. Paying our $5 to get in we walked through the gravel lot to reach the first container and the artwork that it housed. Stepping inside the installation we became a part of the art and the experience was more intimate, whether we wanted it to be or not. I stepped into the first box and walked to the back to see the small installation of twelve glass bottles on metal rods that were clinking in the wind by a fan just out of reach from the viewer. The artists of this installation, Derek Parker and Jason Chakraverty, were thrilled to talk about their minimalist style and how they came to the conclusion of glass bottles on metal rods as being art. Their intent and purpose was to convey an experience to the viewer that would stimulate more than just the visual, but all senses. Derek said, "People complete this installation. Without the person inside the container it just seems incomplete." After we exited this container, we wandered through several others, where we found everything from alternative gardening to home living and even an interactive container where they laid you down on a flat bed and rolled you into the installation. Being that I was in a dress, I chose to skip this one, sorry. With just a few short minutes of the evening left, we entered Michele Bosak's container; which felt like we stepped into someone's 1950's living space. Everything from the curtains to the floor finish gave off the smell and feel that you had just time warped. Michele's installation was more of a surface mind-set, she collected furniture, painted images of the same furniture and installed both the images and the furniture inside the container which gave it a very 1950's feel when you stepped inside. Michele mentioned that she has moved every 1.5 years since she has been an adult and has been so used to temporary spaces that it has crossed over into her artwork. Each installation we saw was unique but being that we arrived on the scene a bit late, we did not make it to each container.

Being that Primary Colours is a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and sustain a thriving environment for the visual arts through unique exhibitions, I would say this would be it. I would like to have seen more about the backing of the story on why giant storage containers were selected, besides the fact that it would be something different. Other than that, it was an intriguing visual experience. For more information on future events with Primary Colours visit www.primarycolours.org.

Continuing the weekend, we started out Saturday with brunch in Broad Ripple at Petite Chou (www.cafepatachou.com), then over to rent a canoe at Rusted Moon. (www.rustedmoonoutfitters.com)

After a short paddle on the white river, we switched gears and went out to the Indiana Wine Festival in the Canal District. Not too much art to check out but for $25 we got to taste wines from all over Indiana and enjoy live music and a beautiful day of relaxing on the lawn in Military Park. Wrapping up the evening at R Bistro (www.rbistro.com) was a perfect touch to the weekend. Without even trying, it was nice to know that the money we spent this weekend was kept local.

If you didn't get a chance to step out to the cultural districts this last weekend, be sure to check out the Talbot Street Art Fair taking place June 13th & 14th, for more information www.talbotstreet.org, as always a free event.