Where: Sackler Gallery
When: through April 30, 2017
When I say this is at the Sackler, that's not quite right. It's actually in the hallway between the Ripley's main concourse and the International Gallery. You can enter from the Sackler, but I think that's a misleading location. If you're in the Sackler, go down to the S3 level and before you walk into the Turquoise Mountain exhibit, turn left.
I know almost nothing about Kung Fu and about as much about hip hop culture, but the one has had a great influence on the other. Bruce Lee, especially, is idolized in the world of hip hop and rap, and this interest has led two artists to incorporate his image into their work.
MC Yan's work is a series of blocks, with architectural details in the background, and Bruce Lee paintings over top. The blocks fit together rather like a puzzle; they're both a painting and a 3-D work.
Fab 5 Freddy also uses Bruce Lee's image, reproducing a picture of him, with graffiti and self-portraits. There is also the occasional scratch mark, as if a bear has come along and clawed the work.
I'm not sure what all of this means, but it's certainly outside my usual museum experience, so I'm happy to have my world expanded a bit.
Verdict: A good reminder that Asian art, broadly defined, has influenced many cultures. A clever way for the Sackler to celebrate the opening of the NMAAHC.
Showing posts with label April 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label April 2017. Show all posts
Monday, April 17, 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017
The Dance is the Thing
Where: American History Museum
When: through April 30, 2017
Before I talk about this small display at American History, let me just give you a word of advice. DO NOT go to American History, Natural History or (I'm guessing) Air and Space until next week. Just don't do it.
The line to get into American History was long; the only reason I was able to enter in under 15 minutes was because I didn't have a bag to be checked. I was out yesterday and passed Natural History on my way to the Sackler, and the line was out the door and almost to 12th Street. Since A&S is always packed, I'm sure it's a nightmare as well. The combination of Passover, Easter, spring break and nice weather seems to have propelled everyone and his brother to the Mall. If you need a museum fix, head to the Sackler or African Art.
And it's not just the crowds, it's the stepped-up security as well. You have to empty your pockets, even if you have no bag, so it takes longer to actually enter. And, of course, there are plenty of our fellow visitors who can't follow directions, so that adds to the wait. Again, Sackler and African Art are the way to go - I suppose they'd have a look in a bag, but there's no metal detector, and I just sailed right in.
But, this post is about American History and its display case devoted to ballet, so let's get back to that. I'm sure the curators were not thinking of politics when they set this up (or perhaps they were, I shouldn't make assumptions...), but this is a lovely reminder of the value of allowing immigrants into the United States and welcoming all talented people into the art world, whether they "look the part" or not.
Costumes of Misty Copeland (first African American woman to be named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater), Marianna Tcherkassky (Russian/Japanese immigrant) and Violette Verdy (French immigrant) were on display. Where would ballet be without immigrants? Why shouldn't we see the best dancers, regardless of race or ethnicity?
Verdict: If you can get in, have a look at this gentle reminder that not all those who are different are dangerous.
When: through April 30, 2017
Before I talk about this small display at American History, let me just give you a word of advice. DO NOT go to American History, Natural History or (I'm guessing) Air and Space until next week. Just don't do it.
The line to get into American History was long; the only reason I was able to enter in under 15 minutes was because I didn't have a bag to be checked. I was out yesterday and passed Natural History on my way to the Sackler, and the line was out the door and almost to 12th Street. Since A&S is always packed, I'm sure it's a nightmare as well. The combination of Passover, Easter, spring break and nice weather seems to have propelled everyone and his brother to the Mall. If you need a museum fix, head to the Sackler or African Art.
And it's not just the crowds, it's the stepped-up security as well. You have to empty your pockets, even if you have no bag, so it takes longer to actually enter. And, of course, there are plenty of our fellow visitors who can't follow directions, so that adds to the wait. Again, Sackler and African Art are the way to go - I suppose they'd have a look in a bag, but there's no metal detector, and I just sailed right in.
But, this post is about American History and its display case devoted to ballet, so let's get back to that. I'm sure the curators were not thinking of politics when they set this up (or perhaps they were, I shouldn't make assumptions...), but this is a lovely reminder of the value of allowing immigrants into the United States and welcoming all talented people into the art world, whether they "look the part" or not.
Costumes of Misty Copeland (first African American woman to be named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater), Marianna Tcherkassky (Russian/Japanese immigrant) and Violette Verdy (French immigrant) were on display. Where would ballet be without immigrants? Why shouldn't we see the best dancers, regardless of race or ethnicity?
Verdict: If you can get in, have a look at this gentle reminder that not all those who are different are dangerous.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
A Crowd in the Library!
Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building
When: through April 14, 2017
For the first time ever, I encountered other people when I went to see an exhibit at the National Gallery Library. Perhaps that was because the subject was Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who are/were far better known than most of the subjects of these exhibits, or perhaps this was a group of very thorough visitors, determined to see everything the National Gallery had to offer. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I'm not the only one coming to see these displays; I have some experience with putting this sort of thing up, and it's quite disheartening when no one looks at the fruits of your labor.
Speaking of putting things up, that was the focus of the photographs. Wrapping enormous things takes a lot of work, and wind damage can destroy everything in a few hours. Whether you like these installations or not (and I can take them or leave them alone), you have to admire the resiliency that allows them to put in weeks of work, watch it get blown away in the storm and start over again.
Verdict: If you like having a look behind the curtain (no pun intended), this was worth stopping in to see.
When: through April 14, 2017
For the first time ever, I encountered other people when I went to see an exhibit at the National Gallery Library. Perhaps that was because the subject was Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who are/were far better known than most of the subjects of these exhibits, or perhaps this was a group of very thorough visitors, determined to see everything the National Gallery had to offer. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I'm not the only one coming to see these displays; I have some experience with putting this sort of thing up, and it's quite disheartening when no one looks at the fruits of your labor.
Speaking of putting things up, that was the focus of the photographs. Wrapping enormous things takes a lot of work, and wind damage can destroy everything in a few hours. Whether you like these installations or not (and I can take them or leave them alone), you have to admire the resiliency that allows them to put in weeks of work, watch it get blown away in the storm and start over again.
Verdict: If you like having a look behind the curtain (no pun intended), this was worth stopping in to see.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Good Bye Johnny B. Goode
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: through April 9, 2017
The National Portrait Gallery's "In Memoriam" section was up pretty much non-stop in 2016, and it seems as if 2017 will provide lots of subjects as well, sadly. The most recent person to be so honored is Chuck Berry. It's a great portrait - lots of color and action, just like the man himself. I love the blue, orange and hot pink - invigorating and attention-grabbing.
When: through April 9, 2017
The National Portrait Gallery's "In Memoriam" section was up pretty much non-stop in 2016, and it seems as if 2017 will provide lots of subjects as well, sadly. The most recent person to be so honored is Chuck Berry. It's a great portrait - lots of color and action, just like the man himself. I love the blue, orange and hot pink - invigorating and attention-grabbing.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
No Trip to the 3rd Floor is Wasted
When: through April 2, 2017
I went to see Gene Davis: Hot Beat at the SAAM, and at least I got to see the wild and wonderful 3rd Floor. As you can see from the picture, the floor, walls and ceiling are all patterned - no minimalism or austerity here. Plus, that skylight is a beauty. Good thing I was happy with this, as the show itself, well...
Davis painted stripes, some wide, some narrow, most colorful. And I have nothing against colorful stripes, but is that really enough to get you a show at the Smithsonian? Obviously, the answer is yes, but I just don't see that this is great art. I'll grant you, it made me think of jazz and the piano, and if they'd had a sound track running, that would have been a great touch, but it just doesn't seem enough to make an artist.
Verdict: If colorful stripes are enough for you - this is a show I hope you didn't miss.
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