National Parks in Stamps

Where: National Postal Museum

When: closing March 25, 2018

After I saw the spectacular "Post Secret" show at the National Postal Museum, all thought of dropping that venue from my museum rounds vanished.  This was the first time I'd been back since seeing one of my favorite shows of 2017 there, and, although this was not up to that standard, it was interesting and worth the trip to the Union Station area.

More perhaps about the National Parks than about stamps, many intriguing artifacts were on display including: Ansel Adams' stamp album, a Ranger uniform from the 1920s (pretty much identical to uniforms today) and a Yellowstone Hotel Owney badge (Owney was the small dog who rode on the mail trains in the 1890s, and people everywhere gave him little tags to wear).

I learned that Yellowstone was the first National Park, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world.  It became a model for other national parks here and in other countries.  Truly, in a list of things that the United States has done to improve the world, the National Park system needs to appear.

Both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt are commended for their service to National Parks.  Never forget: it's thanks to Teddy Roosevelt that the Grand Canyon is preserved for future generations and not overrun by developers.  And FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements in the parks that are still used today.

I also saw a beautiful stamp of Wolf Trap, one of my favorite places to see a concert or play.  I would love to have a print of this stamp - I must investigate if that is available...

Verdict: If you like the National Parks, be sure to check out this show.

The New York-Mexico Connection

Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum

When: closing March 18, 2018

Good news for museum-goers in DC: the government will not shut down before January 19!  Although it may shut down then, we still have a few weeks to see wonderful things, and I've been rushing to visit as much as I can.

If you can wait until next week to visit, I'd advise you to do so.  The crowds in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day are always huge and this year is no exception; I always assume they're people from out of town whose local hosts need some quiet time and send them to the Mall to have their house to themselves for a bit.  Whoever they are, there are hordes of them.  That Vermeer show I saw a few weeks ago at the National Gallery had need of those ropes to keep everyone in line.  So glad I saw that already.

A show I saw before Christmas was the Rufino Tamayo retrospective at SAAM.  Tamayo was a Mexican artist who spent time in and was influenced by New York City, and this show focuses on the works he created there or were inspired by his time in the metropolis.

This was my first exposure to Tamayo, and I'm not sure that his work is really to my taste.  It's both figurative and abstract, which is interesting, but I just didn't connect with it.  I'm willing to believe the fault is mine.  The work pictured above is one that made me think of the phrase "setting loose the dogs of war."  It's both disturbing and thought-provoking.  You'll notice there are bones at the dog's feet, but they pay no attention in their zeal to attack.

Verdict: Not really to my taste, but if you are a fan of his work, or are interested in Mexican art, I would recommend a visit.

A Truth That Will Not Be Contained

Where:  American Art Museum

When: through March 11, 2018

At first, I wasn't really sure what I was looking at in this show.  Walker's work is taking reproductions of 19th century texts and superimposing silhouettes of African-Americans on them.  I was trying to make the text and original illustrations match up with the silhouettes and was really struggling to find a connection I was sure had to exist.

Then, as I read the wall notes in the second room, I realized that there is no connection.  The silhouettes exist on their own, apart from what we have been told is the historical record.  How could there be a connection, when the stories of African-Americans have been deliberately left out of the official descriptions of the Civil War?

The wall notes as you enter the show describe Walker as "...transform[ing] the genteel 18th century portrait medium into stark, haunting tableaux."  To me, the work said, "Yes, you can learn all about various battles and generals, and how the Union Army eventually won enough victories to force the Confederate Army to surrender.  But don't forget what this war was really about.  And don't forget the people that some were willing to fight and die to keep in bondage."

Verdict: A powerful show - it packs a real punch.

Carter's Prescient Statement

Where: American History Museum

When: closing March 11, 2018

This is one of those "artifact walls" displays at American History that's probably more informative than entertaining.  I rarely have any company at these exhibits, so I hope some of the curators who clearly put a lot of time into these things see me when I visit.

Solar energy is a way to use a renewable resource to obtain the electricity we all use all day, every day.  During his term in office, President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House, which President Ronald Reagan subsequently removed.  If the country had continued to research and make use of solar energy throughout the 1980s, we wouldn't be in the climate change predicament we're in today, in my opinion.

One of the solar panels is part of the display, along with a quote from Carter indicating that the panels could be either the beginning of a better way to use the sun to meet our needs, or they could become a museum piece.  All I could do was sigh.

I think Father Drinan was in the photograph of Carter with the solar panels - he would have been a Congressman from Massachusetts at the time; I met him while I worked at Georgetown University - a funny and kind man.

Verdict: Worth a glance if you're in the museum to see a larger exhibit.

Worlds in Miniature

Where: Hirshhorn Museum

When: closing March 4, 2018

Yes, I'm seeing exhibits that won't close until March.  I think this is because there haven't been as many shows up this year, what with the Freer and Sackler galleries closed.

Also, I'm trying to see as much as I can before a potential government shutdown at the end of the month.  Congress agreed to funding that avoided having to shutter the Smithsonian (and the rest of the government too) as of yesterday, but legislation runs out in a couple of weeks.  <sigh> The thought of having to live with the current political situation without my beloved art and cultural escape is not pleasant.

Oh well, perhaps we will be spared this unpalatable fate, and right now, the lights are still on.  So what about this show at the Hirshhorn?

These are models for large installations by a Russian-born American couple; some of them have been realized and others have not.  The one I chose for the blog picture is one that, sadly, as not been realized.  It was intended either for the Bank of Seattle or the Library.  Having visited the Seattle Public Library several years ago, I can say it would have fit right in with the other art on display there.

Although nothing was wrapped, I was reminded of Christo, as I walked around the 2nd floor of the Hirshhorn, looking at these ideas for public art.  Perhaps it's because this all seems a bit mad?  Or because it's meant to be on such a large scale?

Verdict: Worth a look, especially if you're in the museum for the Ai Weiwei show, or to see the Pickett's Charge installation.

Say Cheese!

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building

When: through January 28, 2018

This is a small show, only two rooms.  It's well sized for a lunchtime outing, and is interesting as well.  It's a tribute to Robert Menschel, who pledged both money and photographs to start and expand the National Gallery's collection.

Spanning a wide time period, from the 1840s through the 1990s, one is struck by the fact that humans have been smiling for the camera for about 170 years.  Compared to painting or sculpture, it's a new art form, but it's been around for a while now.

The photograph that stood out to me the most was one by Robert Frank called "San Francisco."  It's part of his Americans series, and it depicts an African-American man and woman sitting on a grassy hillside looking down at the city.  Becoming aware of Frank's presence, they are turned to the camera, looking wary and ready to rise.  The viewer is uncertain: are they afraid, are they hostile?  Clearly, there is some discomfort there.

Verdict: A fine tribute to a generous benefactor.

Bringing the War Home

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing January 28, 2018

I found "The Face of Battle," the exhibit of portraits of soldiers at the National Portrait Gallery, very moving.  For the vast majority of Americans, who don't know anyone in the military, it's easy to forget that young people are dying in wars on a regular basis.  It's important for all of us to remember.

One of the show's curators noticed that veterans were used as props to sell things, and I was reminded of the fine novel, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.  This show features the work of six artists, who depict ordinary soldiers and what they've left behind.

Stacy Pearsall's photographs depicted cigarettes and comradeship among servicemen and women as they wait to fight.

Emily Prince has constructed a graphical depiction of those who have died with many pieces of paper, color-coded to match the person's skin; all I could think was, "All of these people are dead."

Ashley Gilbertson takes photographs of the bedrooms of those killed in action; "bedrooms empty of all but things."  They are all the bedrooms of such young people.

Louie Palu's portraits show soldiers who all look as if they've seen terrible things.  I could only hope that they have received some help to deal with their memories.

Vincent Valdez's show is devoted to a friend who killed himself as a result of PTSD.  It's just so sad.

Tim Hetherington's works are of male soldiers working together; I felt distant from the work, as it is quite deliberately men only.

Verdict: This is an excellent show and should be required viewing for everyone.