By the Light...

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Ground Floor

When: closing January 5, 2020

In the first room of this two-room exhibit of lunar photographs, there are pictures of the moon dating from as far back as the 1800s.  I confess, I was more amazed at the age of the images than by the images themselves.  The moon is just not that photogenic, I'm afraid.

The second room focuses on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.  A film of the historic event, "Live from the Surface of the Moon," runs on a loop, and there are viewers available, so you can see the moon in 3-D.  I'll admit, that was pretty cool.  Still not terribly photogenic, but cool nonetheless.

There's also a picture of "Earthrise," one of the 20th century's most famous photographs, on display.  Sometimes, you need to take a step back to see just how beautiful our planet is.

Verdict: This small show is worth a glance, especially for fans of space travel.

More on Verrocchio

Where: National Gallery of Art Library, East Building

When: closing January 10, 2020

If you've seen the National Gallery's Verrocchio show and would like to see more of his work, take a few moments to visit the Library in the East Building.  On display are a few photographs by Clarence Kennedy, an art photographer who made a study of his sculpture.  You get another look at Verrocchio's art and the hard work that went into creating it.  A photograph of Kennedy opens the exhibit; it's by Ansel Adams.

Verdict: Great if you haven't had enough of Verrocchio!

More Than Just Leonardo's Teacher

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building

When:  closing January 12, 2020

The big show at the National Gallery right now is the first exhibit in the United States devoted entirely to Andrea del Verrocchio, an Italian artist and teacher who lived in Florence in the 1400s.  Best known for his pupils, among them Leonardo da Vinci, and his patrons, the Medici family, Verrocchio deserves to be honored in his own right, for his enormous talent.

His sculpture of a boy David, victorious over Goliath, dominates the first room, but I was drawn to a portrait of Alexander the Great that pops out of its frame.  It's the sort of technique one expects to see in a show of modern art; truly there's nothing new under the sun.  Other sculptures, with the paint still intact, seem almost alive - as if they're about to come down off the walls and stride about the room.

But it's not just human forms on display; there's a gorgeous small vase with a lid in the second room that's lovely, both for the agate used and for its shape.  It's a reddish-orange color that I've seen only very rarely, and it looks as if it were crafted quite recently.

Verrocchio was an innovator - his work is hundreds of years old, but is fresh and modern and accessible to a 21st century audience.  It's a great shame he's overshadowed by da Vinci, which happens even in this show.  The National Gallery owns a da Vinci, a portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, and it's on display in the 3rd room of the Verrocchio exhibit.  And where were the crowds and phones all pointed in this room?  At the da Vinci, of course.  A sort of microcosm of what goes on all day every day at the Louvre.  The painting is lovely, but there's so much else to see!

Verdict: This show is wonderful, and well worth your time to see.  Don't get caught up in who else is in the show; go to see Verrocchio.

Another Show on Women's Suffrage

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When:  closing January 5, 2020

Unlike so many other examinations of the women's suffrage movement in the United States, this show confronts the exclusion of non-white women from the struggle.  It's a stain on the fight for equality that white women were so willing to cast aside the rights of their non-white sisters.

The show tells the story of women's suffrage from the earliest years in the anti-slavery movement of the 1800s through to final victory in 1920.  It was a long fight - one of the longest existing social reform movements in US history.

One thing I learned in this show: suffragette is the name for British women advocating for the right to vote; the word is the US is suffragist.  Who knew?

In 1913, suffragists went to Washington in the first non-violent protest to march on the Capitol.  They then began protesting outside the White House, in Lafayette Park, where people continue to this day to bring attention to causes they believe in.  Among those protestors were students from the Washington College of Law, a law school for women, which is now part of American University and co-ed.  My husband works at WCL, so it was nice to see the school get a mention.

I was very pleased to see a code you can scan to register to vote at the end of the show.  All the work that all those women put in over all those decades will be for naught if people don't exercise their right to vote.

Verdict: An excellent, and compete, look at the women's suffrage movement, warts and all.

Unicorn of the Sea?

Where: Natural History Museum

When: closing January 5, 2020

As usual, lots of shows are closing in January.  I think they leave them up for the holiday crowds, which is why very little closes in December.  So that means I'm rushing around to see things as fast as I can; press of work this fall meant there were several weeks I didn't get out at all, and I'm trying to catch up now.  Wish me luck!

The Natural History Museum has a show up about narwhals.  It's not as flashy as the new dinosaur hall, but it's nicely done and has some great photography.  The model of a narwhal is also interesting - it just seems like such an unlikely creature.

The thing coming out of its head is a tooth, not a horn, and it's a mammal, not a fish.  It lives only in the Arctic, so climate change is doing them no favors.  It may well have inspired the unicorn legend - I was happy to see a unicorn tapestry photograph used as a background for part of the exhibit - I remember seeing the original in Paris many years ago.  There's also some Inuit art in the show, and I love Inuit art - so I was very happy I caught this before it closed.  And I didn't have to come during Christmas week - which is a mad house.

Verdict: See this soon; it's not very large, so you could combine it with another exhibit with no problem.

Any Day Featuring the Swedish Chef is a Good Day

Where: American History Museum

When: closing January 1, 2020

I went over to American History this week to have a stroll around the "American Stories" space.  I think they're going to swap out some of the older pieces for new acquisitions, so keep your eye out for a new and improved display in 2020.

I took with me a list of "highlights," as I was pressed for time and needed to get in and get out.  Happily, I didn't limit myself to what was on the list, as there's a lot there that I would have described as a highlight that didn't make the list.

There were baseball items, including Willie Mays' hat, glove and shoes, and a baseball from the 1937 All-Star Game, signed by that year's Yankee lineup.  Joe DiMaggio's signature is front and center.

They also have a piece of Plymouth Rock, which might be nothing more than legend.  The Pilgrims landed in 1620, but there's no mention of this specific spot until the 1700s.  Fake news is clearly not a new phenomenon.

But the best thing of all was the original Swedish Chef.  My favorite of the Muppets, then and now, Jim Henson and Frank Oz had to work together to bring him to life.  His culinary chaos never fails to entertain.

Verdict: No show that includes the Swedish Chef will get anything less than an enthusiastic two thumbs up from me!

Ella Fitzgerald's Books

Where: National Museum of African-American History and Culture

When: closing December 31, 2019

This small display on the 2nd floor of the museum features several of Ella Fitzgerald's books.  It's brought to you by the good people of the Smithsonian Libraries.  As the librarian who put together this display noted, you can "read" people by looking at their books - I do the same thing when I visit someone's house.

We see that Fitzgerald was interested in cooking, music, culture and language, and that many of her books were inscribed by the authors.  Even this small sample shows her taste and her influence on other creative people.

Verdict: Worth a few moments' look when you're next at the museum.

Photography at the National Gallery

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building

When: closing December 8, 2019 (today!)

Yikes, I didn't realize how quickly this show was closing - glad I didn't put off going until next week, or I would have been out of luck.  If you want to see it for yourself, head on out right now.

This is a survey of the Gallery's photography collection from the first 50 years' worth of material they own.  So you see pieces from the very beginning of the medium through the late 1900s.  William Henry Fox Talbot called photography a "little bit of magic realized,"  and it would certainly have seemed magical when the technology first debuted.

Although I'm not wild about very early photography or black and white photography generally, I did wander around the show with a great sense of self-satisfaction.  Very bad for my character, no doubt, but quite fun in the moment.

I was puffed up because I saw several pieces I recognized from earlier shows, including the works of Charles Marville, the photographer who documented the changes in Paris in the 1800s.  I also saw the photo "Scourged Back," a photograph of a former slave named Gordon.  And the photographs of the American West (from a show at American Art) that made me want to go and see the grandeur for myself are on display as well.  And the Alexander Gardner pictures of the dead of the American Civil War, which brought the horror into American homes and featured rearranged corpses - perhaps a forerunner of deepfake videos?

Verdict: There's a lot to like in this show - if you're a fan of photography, hope you got a chance to see it.

Where: Freer Gallery of Art

When: closing November 3, 2019

When one thinks of Whistler and the Freer, the first thing that comes to mind is the Peacock Room.  And rightly so; it's an amazing achievement, to make art out of a room.  And those peacocks - telling the story of Whistler's falling out with Leyland, under the watchful eye of The Princess from the Land of Porcelain.  If you can see all this when the shutters are open (the 3rd Thursday of each month, in the afternoon), do so - it's a great treat.

But, Whistler is more than the Peacock Room, and Charles Lang Freer was a great admirer of Whistler's, so we get to enjoy his many, many talents.  In fact, Freer amassed the world's largest collection of Whistler watercolors, some of which are on display in the Whistler in Watercolor exhibit on now.  These pieces never travel (due to the conditions of the deed of gift establishing the museum) and are very fragile, so they're rarely seen.  Happily, we have an opportunity to look at them for the next couple of weeks.

These watercolors came about when Whistler was seeking to reinvent himself as an artist.  He'd lost Leyland as a patron and was involved in a lawsuit with John Ruskin, so he needed to make some money. Off he went to Venice, in search of inspiration.  What he produced were many seascapes, composed of three parts: sky, sea and shore; bustling street scenes, and quiet domestic interiors.  He also began to paint nocturnes (the Sackler had a big show of these not too long ago, so they can travel across the street), those moody, atmospheric night paintings.  And we get to see the fruits of those labors in this show.

Verdict: If you like Whistler or watercolors or paintings of the night, this is a show for you.

Strike While It's Hot

Where: African Art Museum

When: closing October 20, 2019

First of all, know that this is a huge show that starts in the African Art Museum (on the lowest level) and continues into the International Gallery of the Ripley.  I went to see it on a free afternoon, and after a full hour, I was skimming at the end.

The show opens with a discussion of how iron arrived here - it comes from the core of meteorites that were destroyed in impacts in space and eventually fell to Earth.  The Smithsonian has one of the world's largest and most complete collection of meteorites, some of which are on display in the show.  Iron has become such a part of the human experience that it is what makes our blood red.

So on to the African blacksmiths.  They held a very high place in society, as they were able to use fire to transform iron into objects that were practical, beautiful and signifiers of status.  They made tools for everyday use; they made jewelry and they made objects used in important rituals.

When one thinks of iron, one thinks of strong, heavy, powerful items.  But that's not the totality of what iron can be.  A piece called "Rain Wand" was lovely and delicate - something I did not anticipate when I came to the exhibit.  As impressive as the tools and knives were, the ability to transform iron into something elegant was even more arresting.

Iron was also used to create objects to honor the dead; it became a symbol of divinity and of fidelity.  As members of the community left this existence, their loved ones celebrated their lives and remembered them after their death.  Iron was eventually so important in society, and such an indication of wealth, that it was actually used as currency.

The show ends with  examples of the lamellophone.  An instrument made of iron, it mimics the sound of the forge - which is more musical than you might expect.

Verdict: If you've got lots of time, this is an interesting examination of both art and the society that creates it.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum

When: closing October 14, 2019

David Levinthal photographs toy figurines.  It's as simple as that.  He photographs sports figures (like Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves, pictured here), Wild West figures, Barbie dolls and figures from American history.  He constructs tableaux with them and then photographs them, blurring the images to make them more lifelike.

Describing the show this way makes it seem silly; who want to see pictures of someone's toys?  Levinthal himself said, "There's less in my work than meets the eye."  And that's where you, the viewer, come in.  You construct the narrative around the photographs, just as children do with their own toys.

There's something both odd and appealing about this show; it's an invitation to remember the past and stories about the past and also to examine how much truth there is in those memories and stories.

Verdict: This large show is a sample of a gift of Levinthal's works that were recently donated to the museum; one hopes this is not the last display of his work we will see.

Dinosaurs Outside the new Fossil Hall

Where: Natural History Museum

When: closing September 29, 2019

True confession: I've not yet been to the new Fossil Hall at the Natural History Museum;  I go to see things that have impending closing dates, and presumably the new hall will be with us for quite some time.  Maybe that's something my niece and I could go see when she has a day off from school...

I did get to see some dinosaurs at Natural History this week though.  The exhibit that served as a "dinosaur place holder" while the new Hall was under construction is now closing, so I went to see that.  Called "The Last American Dinosaur," it's quite well done.  It provides lots of information, presented in an easy-to-understand style.  I especially liked the explanation of the difference between an actual fossil, a scientifically accurate cast, and a fake.

I also enjoyed the information about the digs that yield the fossils and the way that scientists preserve what they find and transport it back to the museum.  The Hell Creek Formation, which covers parts of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, is full of fossils - sort of a paleontologist's playground.  It's a lot of work to travel out there, find useful specimens, wrap them up so they don't get damaged and get everything and everyone back to DC.

The exhibit also included information on the 5th great extinction - the one that killed the dinosaurs.  An asteroid hit the earth, which set off a chain reaction of terrible events that resulted in the death of all non-avian dinosaurs.  So, every time you see a bird, you're actually seeing a dinosaur.  And mass extinctions are bad for the species that die off, obviously, but they're good for new species that can arise from the ashes.  Like mammals.

Verdict: The new fossil hall is getting all the press, but this exhibit is worth a look.  And I really wish the museum would have returned to the original name for the dinosaur display: the Hall of Extinct Monsters.

Fireworks in the Library

Where: National Gallery of Art Library, East Building

When:  closed September 6, 2019

This library show is a tribute to fireworks and festivals throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.  Although all the books are in black and white, one feels as if one can see the vibrant pyrotechnics and feel the excitement as one looks at the display.  I particularly enjoyed seeing John Bate's instructions for how to make a flying dragon.

Verdict: Hope you had a chance to see this small exhibit - more fun than the usual offering.

Architects' Greatest Crime

Where: Hirshhorn Museum

When: closing September 8, 2019

This somber display closes tomorrow, so if you want to see it, you'll need to hurry.  It's contained inside the "What Absence is Made Of" show on the 2nd floor, so you'll need to walk through some nonsense to see it, I'm afraid.  It's worth it, though, so make the effort.

It's a visual installation that presents the evidence collected to prove that Auschwitz was a mechanism for mass murder.  This was not merely a camp to hold people against their will (although that would be bad enough); this was a place designed by architects to end people's lives in as efficient a way as possible.

The entire installation is white, which I found made it hard to understand the documents that line the room.  What really made the piece real to me was the video at the end that explains the decisions the architects made to ensure as many people were killed in as short a time as possible.

Verdict: In a time when Holocaust denial is making a comeback, this is an important statement of facts.

Japanese Animal Art - It's Not Just Hello Kitty

Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building

When: closing on August 18, 2019

First of all, this is a far larger show than you can see in a lunch hour.  I suppose you could get through it if you ran from end to end, but that's not really any way to appreciate the terrific pieces.  So, I'm advising you to take an extra-long lunch hour, or go on a weekend or day off.

This is a survey of animals in Japanese art from ancient times to the present day, so we're covering a lot of ground.  This series of screens is right at the entrance to the show and sets the tone nicely.  It's colorful and fun and features lots of animals.  And that's largely what the rest of the show does.  The first room includes several ancient representations of dogs and horses, along with Kusama Yayoi (she of the polka dots, pumpkins and mirror rooms) dog sculptures.  The thing I thought about all of these works was how friendly the animals were.  They all seem to be smiling at you, and you just can't help but smile back.  I couldn't anyway, and I was feeling irritable and stressed out when I went over there, so a cheerful welcome was just what I needed.

I also learned that the Japanese have a zodiac, very similar to the Chinese one.  I'm the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, and the same is true of the Japanese version.  Large banners, one for each year were displayed on one of the walls, and the picture on my year was of the Japanese god of seas and storms, whose name happens to be Susano'o.  How appropriate is that?  The god slayed a dragon and removed a sword from its tail.  I've decided the next time I get frustrated at work, I'll remember I'm really the god of seas and storms, slayer of dragons.

There's painting; there's sculpture (some of it massive); there's kimonos - really, something for everyone.  This would be a good show to see with kids, since a lot of the art is accessible and fun.  It's long, but you wouldn't have to see everything.

Verdict: This big show has lots of great stuff and is worth making time to see.

Have No Fear

Where: Hirshhorn Museum

When: closing July 24, 2019

This show is a combination of Thai cooking (the title is a reference both to Thai political groups and to types of curry) and protest art.  Since this would have been the first food/art combination I've visited, I was disappointed that the food part wasn't in operation when I turned up.  Perhaps I was there too early; I went at noon.  It's also possible the food portion isn't operating every day.  Whatever the timing issues, I was left with only the art.

The first room, the one with the cooking stations, have drawings of protesters and political situations on the walls.  And when I say "on the walls," I mean directly painted on the walls - not hung in frames.  In fact, two people were working on more drawings as I walked around.  I noticed lots of U.S. imagery, as well as pictures that I am assuming were from Thai news stories.  So, if you go, don't worry that you won't understand any of the art.

The second and third rooms contained videos - a series of documentary shorts that I believe are shown on a rotating basis.  I didn't have a very strong reaction to either of them, as I can't remember much about them now...

Verdict: Since the point of this exhibit is to combine food and art, I feel as if I missed a lot by not scheduling my visit for the curry service.  Check the website to see when the food will be available!

Mixing Cooking and Civil Rights

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing June 30, 2019

Leah Chase was not only the "Queen of Creole Cuisine."  She was also the owner of a gathering place for leaders of the civil right movement.  Martin Luther King and other activists ate and planned strategy in her restaurant.

In her later years, Chase became an advocate for the arts, and the art displayed in her restaurant is considered by many to be the finest collection of African American art in New Orleans.

The portrait on display is by Gustave Blanche III, part of a series of paintings depicting people at work.

Verdict: It's worth a trip all on its own, and if you're in the museum to see a show, be sure to stop by.

An Architect I Grew to Appeciate

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing June 16, 2019 (although I have my doubts)

Something I've noticed about the "In Memoriam" space at the NPG is that a portrait is only guaranteed to remain up for its originally allotted time if no one else dies.  Since I see from the Smithsonian website that a portrait of Leah Chase is now on display, I'm not sure this one of I.M. Pei is still up.  Not to be morbid, but perhaps they should have two spaces for the recently deceased?

Pei's work is something I've developed an appreciation for over the years.  The Kennedy Library is phenomenal - the feeling you get when you see the sailboat out on the lawn through the window - I can't really put it into words.  My visit there many years ago taught me that architecture can be emotional.

Those glass pyramids in the courtyard of the Louvre look weird from the outside, but bring in so much light when you're inside.  And as much as I've never been a fan of the National Gallery of Art East Building, it's the best possible home for the modern art collection.  None of it belongs in the West Building.

As for the portrait itself, I like that he's standing in a doorway, as if to welcome the viewer into his world.  And the photographer?  Our old friend, Yousuf Karsh.  And wasn't I filled with self-satisfaction when I saw that name and recognized it!

Verdict: If it's still up, take a few minutes to see it.

Votes for Women

Where: National Archives

When: closing January 3, 2021

So I'm really getting ahead of myself with this show on women's suffrage - it's not closing for another year and a half (give or take), so you've got PLENTY of time to go see it.

This was my first trip to see a display at the National Archives.  I'm not sure exactly why I haven't gone before; I think I've seen the long lines and thought it would take too long to get in.  But I breezed in last Monday; I've spent more time waiting in line at Air and Space, for sure.  I'm adding the National Archives to my list of venues, so look for more reviews of their exhibits in future.

I went with a friend of mine, which was great fun.  We used to work together, and now that we're no longer at the same firm, we rely largely on email to keep in touch.  Seeing her "in person" was marvelous, although I admit I spent a lot of time catching up and chatting, rather than being completely devoted to the show.

It's an excellent survey of the history of women's suffrage in the United States.  Eye-rolling predictions of the fall of American civilization if women could vote, and inspiring stories of those who spent their lives working to make voting equality a reality sit side-by-side.  My favorite example of the former was a cartoon of a woman off to vote, leaving her (useless) husband with a screaming baby and broken crockery.  It's hilarious, until you ponder the fact that many people would have seen this as a real reason not to let women have any say in government.

Many years ago, I was part of a group that put on a display about the Seneca Falls Convention and the history of women's right to vote at the library where I then worked.  Many of the images used in the show were familiar to me from that project, and it was fun to see them again and reminisce.  I'll say that our recreation of a suffrage banner that we hung in the library's main atrium was pretty impressive.

Verdict: Make some time to see this show - the gallery is on the second floor of the National Archives.  A look at the "founding documents" would give you a nice half-day's trip, if you wanted to go beyond a lunchtime visit.

All that Glitters...

Where: Museum of African Art

When: closing on September 29, 2019

The "golden arts" of Senegal are less well known than those of their neighbors, but the country has been a hub of fashion for many years, and continues to be one today.  This show focuses on jewelry, which in Senegalese culture (and in most countries, probably) is a signifier of power and prestige.  If you can afford to wear lots of gold jewelry, you obviously have money beyond what's needed for basic subsistence.

Marion Ashby Johnson was a collector and scholar of jewelry, and she donated her collection to the Smithsonian.  Most of what's on display here is from her gift.  Although many works in the museum's collection are very old, jewelry dating before the middle of the 20th century is actually quite rare.  The oldest item on display is from the early 20th century.  Usually, older pieces were melted down to create new, more fashionable pieces.  I suppose that's similar to people having a family ring reset.

There is a word used in Senegal, sanse, which comes from the French word changer (to change).  It has a variety of meanings,  but generally refers to dressing for success, a sign of money, status and importance.  It's different from and more complex than fashion, as it also involves ethical choices, as well as outer appearance.  Jewelry is a big part of sanse.

I confess, it was difficult for me to relate to this idea, as I don't really care that much about fashion or style.  I own jewelry and buy it from time to time, but it's mostly pendants that I switch out on a few chains.  I don't even have pierced ears, let alone anything else.  Fancy clothes are something I've arranged my life to avoid. Not that some of the pieces weren't lovely.  I saw a butterfly necklace and bracelet set that I liked very much, for example.

Verdict: If you're fascinated by fashion, give this a look.

Whole Lot of Groaning Going On

Where: Hirshhorn Museum

When: closing September 2, 2019

This is one of those weird Hirshhorn exhibits that I just don't understand.  According to the wall notes, Enrico David's work is an exploration of the human form through a variety of techniques.  And I suppose that's true.  The figures are generally human or human-like, and he does use a variety of different methods in his work.  So far, so good.  My problem is that I'm just not feeling anything when I look at this stuff, and (again, according to the wall notes) I'm meant to feel empathy.

Many of the works are of people grimacing, as if in physical pain or in some sort of horrible existential angst.  And that would move me to pity, if they were actual living beings, but they're not, so it just seems gruesome.

The first piece is a revolving set of wooden figures, and they reminded me of the Beatles (their hair is moptop-ish, and I'm guessing that's why).  As I stood there, others came into the space and also mentioned the Beatles, so it wasn't just me.  They just turn around on a small platform, so they're not awful.  The woman pictured here in the pink and black twist doesn't appear miserable either, so again, not awful.

Most of the rest of it is a big silent wail.  Yeesh, the best thing I can say is that it's in the inner ring of the 2nd floor, so it's smaller than an outer ring show.  Oh, and did I mention that most of the works are "Untitled" - sigh.

Verdict: If you like looking at misery, run right over.  Otherwise, feel free to walk on by.

Spending a Little Time with Frederick Douglass

Where: National Gallery of Art Library, East Building

When: closing June 14, 2019

Selected items from Frederick Douglass' family are currently on display in the National Gallery's library.  There are photographs, an original typescript of a speech he gave and a variety of letters, many of them with lovely penmanship.

Along with the display is a brochure, but no other notes.  I've seen this before, and it find it less than helpful.  I don't really need a full brochure, but I would like a bit of explanation of what I'm seeing.  A little stand with maybe three paragraphs of text would be ideal.

That having been said, it's a nice display, as all of the library displays are, and if you're interested in Frederick Douglass, I can see that this would be something you wouldn't want to miss.

Verdict: Fine for Douglass enthusiasts, but everyone else can probably give this a miss.

Well, I Liked the Painting on the NGA Website

Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building, Mezzanine Level

When: closing September 15, 2019

When I saw the notice about this show on the National Gallery's website, I was drawn to the painting they showed, and had been looking forward to seeing more of Jackson's work.  Turns out, the painting on the website is the pick of the show's litter.

There are lots of works entitled "Painting" with a date.  If I've taken the time and effort to come see your stuff, the least you can do is give it a name.  Some of his work reminded me of Jackson Pollack, and since I don't care for Pollack, that's not a good thing.

I did like the quote from the wall notes: Painting far exceeds the things that were used to make it.  Okay, I agree with that.  The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Verdict: All in all, not my bag.  If you like Jackson, this is a nice presentation of his works.  It's a small show with plenty of room to walk around.  Well done, curators.  I just don't like the art.

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Ground Floor

When: closing July 21, 2019

It was a slow museum week for me; between lunch plans, bad weather and press of work, I only made it to one show.  I'm hoping to do better next week.

The exhibit I saw was on American pre-Raphaelites at the National Gallery.  I was, of course, reminded of the major pre-Raphaelite show I saw there several years ago - this is much smaller.

American pre-Raphaelites were strongly influenced by the English artist, John Ruskin.  They ventured out to record the natural world as they saw it - blemishes and all.  Their work was highly detailed and brightly colored and working outdoors was a laborious process.

They were also quite progressive in their thinking; they were abolitionists at a time when not everyone thought slavery was wrong.  The idea of painting nature without "improving" upon it was a radical notion, but one to which they were dedicated.

I thought the nature pieces in the show were lovely and the colors were stunning.  Once people make their way into the scene, however, I found the works a bit maudlin.  Perhaps this is merely Victorian sensibility, but I find it wearying.  My favorite piece was "Path in the Woods" by William Trost Richards, which reminded me of an illustration of the Hundred Acre Wood, from the Winnie the Pooh books.

Verdict: If you are a fan of pre-Raphaelites, make time for this show.

The Forgotten Voices of the Vietnam War

Where: American Art Museum

When: closing September 2, 2019

There are two main narratives of the Vietnam War: that of the triumphant North and that of the vanquished United States.  The people left out of both of these stories are the people of South Vietnam, who fought beside the Americans, and then were dispersed around the globe after the defeat.

Tiffany Chung, the artist behind this show, is the daughter of a man who served as a helicopter pilot in the war and was held prisoner for 14 years by the North Vietnamese.  After his release, he moved his family to the United States, so Chung herself is part of the group whose story she is documenting.

There are three rooms in this display; the first concentrates on her father's story of serving and being captured.  The second room is devoted to videos of South Vietnamese refugees who tell their stories: both what they witnessed in Vietnam and their lives since the war ended.  When you walk into the room, it's quite a cacophony of voices, but there is closed captioning on all the monitors, so you can focus on each person individually.  There's also a video in the room about people who remained in Vietnam, and the life they've made for themselves there.

The third room is the Vietnam Exodus Project.  It maps the journeys of people from Vietnam, as they were forced to migrate from their homes.  There are watercolors done by young artists and based on photographs of migrants, and there's a large map showing the exodus from Vietnam to other places in the world.

Verdict: An important show that concentrates on a story that has been ignored by history.

Bloom Where You're Planted

Where: Archives of American Art

When: closing September 2, 2019

Spring has sprung in Washington, DC, and that's especially clear at the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum.  In addition to the lovely display of orchids in the central courtyard, there's also this exhibit of flowers in artists' correspondence and other writings from the Archives of American Art, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Gardens.

And it's the collaboration that makes this exhibit special.  In addition to the notes explaining the importance of each item as it relates to American art, there's also an explanation of the flowers depicted in the artists' work, written by the horticultural staff.  So there's additional information about the lovely purple flowers in Julia Santos Solomon's "Tropical Orchid," to give just one example.  I also noted a piece of "Mail Art" in the display and was reminded of the show on that topic I saw in this room a couple of years ago.

The only thing that detracted from my visit was a large group of quite noisy young people.  I'm guessing this was part of a school trip that wandered into the room, perhaps (like bees) attracted to the large colorful flowers on the wall (see picture).  I had to remind myself that more visitors are good for the museum, but I've become spoiled by these displays.  The room is usually almost empty, so I can look at whatever I like in peace and quiet.  Not so, this time.

Verdict: Another interesting show by the staff of the Archives, and the collaboration with Smithsonian Gardens makes it all the better.

When They Say Glimpse, They Mean Glimpse

Where: Sackler Gallery

When: closing August 18, 2019

There's a small exhibit space at the back of the Sackler, next to the gift shop.  It's easy to overlook, especially if you're there for one of the big shows that open right off the main staircase.  I've seen several nice things tucked away back here, but never anything quite so small as the display of Yemeni artifacts there now.

In a recent issue of Smithsonian magazine, I read a piece on Wendell Phillips and his trips to South Arabia (what is now Yemen).  So this display was quite timely for me.  He traveled to the area in 1950 and 1951 and discovered quite a few objects; literally three of them are on display.  There's also a video, which is informative.

Yemen was a center of the incense trade, as it was a major sources of frankincense and myrrh (and, yes, I thought of the Three Wise Men).  Sadly, the current war threatens the nation's cultural heritage, in addition to causing such human suffering and loss of life.  The metalwork in these pieces is quite sophisticated; it's a reminder that ancient people may not have had our technology, but they were every bit as artistically gifted as we are.

Verdict: This is a small show, but each item is lovely and worth seeing.  If you're stopping by the gift shop, don't miss this!  And if you're not stopping by the gift shop, don't miss it either.

Up, Up and Away

Where: American History Museum, First Floor East display cases

When: closing September 2, 2019

If you're a fan of superheroes, make sure to see this display on their history.  What started in comic books in the 1930s has become a major entertainment industry, including TV shows, movies, graphic novels, merchandise, etc.

Superheroes are now more diverse than ever; it's not just white he-men who are saving the "good people of [wherever]," now women and people of color are getting in on the act.  Did you know that Wonder Woman is also known as Princess Diana?  I'm sure this is common knowledge among superhero fans, but since I'm on the outside looking in (for the purposes of this blog) at that community, this was new information for me.

On display is the costume that George Reeves wore on the "Superman" TV show in the 1950s.  Although it originally aired before I was born, I remember watching old reruns of it when I was a kid.  It seemed a little hokey, and the special effects were nothing in comparison to today's movies, but the basic premise of good triumphing over evil was the same.

Verdict: Worth a look, if you're in the museum to see a larger show.

The Women of World War I

Where: American History Museum, Third Floor East exhibit case

When: closing April 28, 2019

When one thinks of Americans serving in WWI, the image of a fresh-faced doughboy comes to mind, or, more realistically, the image of a young man with a thousand-yard stare, covered in mud from the trenches.  What both of these pictures leaves out is the large number of women who also served during the "Great War."

Even before the U.S. entered the war, women volunteered with social service and religious organizations.  Over 20,000 volunteered for the Navy Nurse Corps, and 13,000 filed the ranks of the Navy and Marine Corps, doing office jobs that freed up the men to fight.  In the Army Signal Corps, there were 450 female telephone operators.

Of course, as women were nursing and administrating and signaling in the military, they were also fighting for the right to vote at home.  I'm assuming that the work women did during the war, including taking over jobs at home that there were no men to do, helped lawmakers to see that they could be entrusted with the vote.

This display includes the uniforms of several women who worked, either at home or abroad, during WWI.  As we head into the 100th anniversary of women having the right to vote, I'm hoping we see more of these informative shows that highlight the role of women in American history.

Verdict: If you're in the museum, be sure to give this a look while you're on the third floor.

Young Man in a Hurry

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Main Floor

When: closing July 7, 2019

To mark the 500th anniversary of Tintoretto's birth, the National Gallery has launched a blockbuster show of his work, spanning his entire career.  Some of the work on display has never been exhibited in North America before, and two of his works (the "Spring" and "Summer" paintings of a cycle of works depicting the seasons) have not been seen together in over 25 years.

It's a busy show, with crowds larger than the usual exhibit.  You don't need tickets and there's no timed entry, but you may have to wait to read the wall notes or get up close to the art.  Still, it's fun to be part of a big show.

Things start off on a promising note with the entry plaque: "In Venice, in the sixteenth century, each day broke abuzz with commerce and creativity."  I'm not interested in time travel, but if I had to go back, I've now decided that 16th century Venice is my destination.  The dominant painter of the second half of this artistic century was Tintoretto, who was both a great artist and a great businessman.  No starving artist he!  When he was young and little known, he gave away his works, thus gaining attention he would otherwise not have had.  Later in his career, he focused on portraits of the high and mighty, who had plenty of ready cash to pay for his work.

One of the first paintings you see is a self-portrait of him as a young man.  He looks as if he's been interrupted in his work, and is eager to get back to it.  He's full of energy and life and the desire to prove himself.  At the end of the show, there is another self-portrait, of the artist as an old man.  He looks a bit tired, as if he's ready to rest.  It's a great way to bookend the exhibit, to show Tintoretto's life in his work.

Verdict: This is a terrific show, and an absolute must see.

Girl Power

Where: Sackler Gallery

When: closing June 23, 2019

It's not just the National Gallery that has a big show up now.  The Sackler has pulled out all the stops for its display of objects belonging to China's Empress Dowagers.  Pictured is the most powerful Empress Dowager in Chinese history, Empress Cixi.  Cixi was the power behind the throne for fifty years; she ruled for her son and for her nephew after him.

Although the position of women in Chinese society was far below the position of men, the Empress Dowagers lived pretty well.  Their beautiful gowns demonstrated their high position.  They were not subject to foot binding, so they could move about as they wished, even riding horseback.  They had very valuable jewelry and other household items.  Because the property was left to the imperial family at the death of an empress, there is a record of how they lived, and the status afforded them during their lives.

Although emperors had many consorts, there was only one empress.  The only woman senior to an empress, was the empress dowager.  So, it's good to be the ruler's wife, but it's even better to be his mother.  Amazingly enough, one of the empress dowagers, Empress Xiaoxian, came to the royal household as a maid, and was elevated to empress when she gave birth to a son.

This fabulous portrait of Empress Cixi was painted by Katharine Carl and given to Theodore Roosevelt.  He, in turn, gave it to the Smithsonian.  The enormous frame is of camphor wood.

Verdict: This is a don't miss!

Tintoretto-Adjacent Exhibits

Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Ground Floor

When: closing June 9, 2019

The big show of the season at the National Gallery is the Tintoretto retrospective (about which more presently), but there are two other, smaller shows that are also concerned with the artist and his times.  Of course, they are not the blockbuster that the main show is, but they're also less crowded, and if you're a fan of prints and drawings, they have much to offer.

There's a misconception that Tintoretto just slapped the paint on the canvas, with little preparation.  I gather this is due to his style of painting, which shows lots of hasty brushwork.  Tintoretto was called an "impetuous genius"; the genius part is true, but the impetuosity is not.

Although Tintoretto had a lifelong engagement with drawing, his works are not well-known.  This show sets out to remedy that situation, by showing the range of drawings he made, in preparation for his paintings.  He worked out the positions of his figures; he copied great sculptures; he taught his pupils - all by drawing.

In addition to pen and ink works, there's also a one-room examination of prints in the period of Tintoretto's career.  It's a little "add on" to the drawing show - just keep walking through, and you'll get to it.  Although Tintoretto never did any printmaking himself, he did take inspiration from prints especially those of the mannerists, who were starting to emerge in the 1500s.  And, of course, prints were made of Tintoretto's work.

Verdict: If you just can't get enough of Tintoretto, or if the history of drawing and printmaking is your interest, check out these shows.

Good Morning Vietnam

Where: American Art Museum

When:  closing August 18, 2019

Prior to the 1960s, American art had become detached from modern life and politics.  The Vietnam War forced artists to confront what was going on, and their collective response was one of anger.  This retrospective of the artistic response to Vietnam is a large display of very angry art.

As we all know, Vietnam was the first televised war, and it brought the horrors of armed conflict into American's living rooms.  I was reminded of a show I'd seen a while back on Civil War photography.  That also brought the war "home" to civilians, and made it much harder for them to pretend that war is a noble endeavor - it's a (literal) bloody mess.

The artists protesting the war were a diverse group: women and persons of color, particularly African American and Hispanic artists who focused on the disproportionate burden borne by their communities, spoke out through their art.  I noticed Yayoi Kusama's photographs of anti-war happenings - without the mirror rooms, you don't need to wait in line to see them.

The piece that stuck with me the most was Edward Kienholz's "The Non-War Memorial."  He took surplus army uniforms and filled them with clay.  They are laid out on the floor, like fallen soldiers.  It's not a flashy piece; there's no blood or guts, but you are confronted with the reality of death.

Verdict: This is not an enjoyable or pleasant trip to the art gallery.  But then, the Vietnam War was neither enjoyable nor pleasant for those who fought.

All About Oprah

Where:  National Museum of African American History and Culture

When: closing June 30, 2019

This show is a biography of Oprah Winfrey.  I'm going to assume that everyone reading this blog knows who Oprah is, and has at least some familiarity with her life story.  She came from a very modest background, had no connections and made herself into one of the richest, most famous people in America by dint of hard work and talent.

It's an inspiring story, and I understand why the museum would tell it.
The question I have is, does the fact that Oprah has donated so much money to the museum create a conflict of interest?  It seems wrong to say that if you give money to an incredibly worthy cause that the money should preclude your story being told, and there's no doubt that Oprah is one of the most influential African Americans in history.  I just wondered what the ethics of the museum world are surrounding displays concerning their own donors.

Verdict: It's a well done display, and I'm sure even those who are big fans will learn something.

Learning a Lot about Hip Hop

Where: National Museum of African American History and Culture

When:  closing May 5, 2019

I'm delighted to say that the African American Museum is now open on a walk-up basis after 1:00 pm on weekdays.  This means that I can go to see special exhibits on my lunch hour - something I've been wanting to do for years.  I understand the need to limit the number of visitors at first; if they'd let in everyone who wanted to come all at once, no one would have been able to see anything.  But now, hooray(!), the crowds have decreased a bit, and I can go over and see things without having to take a day off of work to do it.

The first show I saw was one on hip hop photography.  I'll admit, I had my doubts about this.  I don't know anything about hip hip, and it has always seemed like something that just wasn't for me.  I knew so little, that I didn't even know where to start to learn about it.  But, I reminded myself that learning new things is why I go to museum exhibits, and off I went.

I'm really glad I went, because I learned a lot.  Hip hop is not just music; it's music, DJing, graffiti and breakdancing.  The culture began in the Bronx in the 1970s.  Young people living there felt alienated from mainstream America, and hip hop was a way both to express that feeling of being cut off from the dominant culture and to create a new cultural expression.  Photographs of hip hop artists are paired with photographs of older, more traditional African American artists, which helped me to understand hip hop better.  For instance, breakdancing can trace its roots back to the Lindy Hop, the dance craze of the 1930s and 1940s.  Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington were ground-breaking artists in their day, and are now part of the 20th century American canon.  I have no doubt that hip hop will be viewed the same way in time.

Verdict: Great introduction to hip hop for those who are not well versed in the culture.

No Pottery, No Problem

Where: Freer Gallery of Art

When: closing mid-April 2019

First, I'm happy to report that the weekly mindfulness meditation class has returned to the Freer.  It's held on Tuesdays, starting  at 12:15.  The teacher is great, and it's a wonderful way to take a moment of relaxation in the midst of a stressful day.

And after the class, you can work in a visit to the Freer's collection - another way to take a break.  This week, I saw "The Peacock Room Revealed," which is the Peacock Room without any pottery on the shelves.  The gallery has removed the pieces that were there (I confess, I can't recall what they were - maybe that collection of lots of different styles that I saw several years ago), and while the staff is preparing to install a collection of blue and white porcelain, the shelves are empty.

Rather than bemoaning the emptiness, the Freer is billing this as a way to see the room all the more clearly.  And they're right.  I walked away with a greater appreciation of the room itself, when I wasn't distracted by other works of art.

Verdict: Even if you've visited the Peacock Room before, take a few moments to visit again.  You'll be surprised at what you notice.

Before Selfies...

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing August 18, 2019

This survey of self-portraits from 1900 to the present is drawn largely from the Gallery's own collection, which totals over 500 works of art.  So if you think memorializing oneself is narcissistic, it's been a problem long before the advent of the smartphone.

The earlier works in the Gallery's collection are traditional representations; it's only in the 20th century that people start taking liberties with the idea of portraits.  Much of the show is composed of paintings or drawings or photographs, but there are also collages, textiles, sculpture and video works.

I was filled with a sense of self-satisfaction when I noticed a colossal head photograph from across the room and identified it correctly as Chuck Close.  As I walked over to take a closer look, I thought to myself, "Wasn't he accused of sexual harassment?"  Sure enough, he was, and the museum made mention of that in the wall note accompanying the piece.

The note went on to say, "The museum recognizes the positive and negative impacts that individuals represented in our collections have had on history."  I think the Portrait Gallery has an issue that other museums don't, in that, if a person's picture is included, there is some sort of implicit approval of that person given by the display.  Of course, not all famous or important people are worthy of approval, and that's where things get tricky.  Over the course of our nation's history, some of our Presidents have done things that do not bear close examination.  Yet all of them are in the Presidential portrait display.

I'm not a curator or museum director, but I think the Gallery has chosen the right course - include people who have played an important part in our history, but use the wall notes to explain them more fully.  I'd also like to give the Gallery credit for highlighting the works and contributions of all Americans.  The early years are largely male and white, but galleries covering more recent years are much less monochromatic.

Verdict: There's some interesting stuff here that's worth a look.

A Far Better Location than the Hirshhorn Lobby

Where: Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, Kogod Courtyard

When: closing April 28, 2019

One of the best things about winter in Washington is the return of the orchid exhibit at the Smithsonian.  In my view, there's no better location for this than the Natural History Museum.  It's set in a tucked-away space, far from the more popular (and populous) exhibits, and you feel transported to a tropical paradise when you enter.  I especially like to go on a day that's cold, grey and miserable, so I can enjoy the contrast all the more.

In 2017, much to my chagrin and dismay, the display was put in the lobby of the Hirshhorn.  Not enough room, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of people coming and going, stuck on shelves, rather than planted in a natural looking setting - it was dreadful.  This year, the display has moved to the National Portrait Gallery/SAAM, to the covered courtyard in the middle of the building.

This location is superior to the Hirshhorn in every way.  Lots of room to move around and see the beautiful flowers, real displays - no horrible white shelving, and a quieter atmosphere all around.  The fact that this is only a block from my office is a great benefit to myself, but obviously, it could be nearer or farther from your own place.  I'll say that I still prefer the Natural History site - it's more like entering a different world, but this is so much better that I shall not quibble.

Our theme for this year's extravaganza is adaptation.  Orchids make themselves at home on every continent except Antarctica (there's even some that live in the Arctic), so they are masters at survival.  There are 28,000 different species, and in addition to living in soil, they also live on rocks and on other plants.   They fool insects into thinking they are prey or mates, but rather than getting food or sex, the insects wander off, spreading orchid pollen as they go.

And they have different aromas: sweet smells for bees and rotting smells for flies.  Happily, in this show, I only smelled pleasant scents, so some kind person decided to leave the rancid varieties off display.  They come in all different shapes, sizes and colors - just like people, as the notes remind us.  They also perform a vital service as a sort of "canary in the coal mine"; when they fail to thrive, it's an indication that something is wrong in the habitat.

In addition to the lovely flowers, I also enjoyed learning about the work of the Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Gardens.  Both organizations are members of CITES, rescuing illegally imported orchids and other plants.  They work around the world to preserve orchids and their habitats - this is important work, and I'm glad the shutdown is over, so the Smithsonian can get back to it.

This show is part of a year long series of displays and programs called Habitat, that will go on throughout the Smithsonian Gardens - I look forward to seeing what else in on their agenda.  Fun fact: the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection started in 1974 with five plants; they now have approximately 8,000 specimens.

Verdict: Don't just see this once!  The flowers rotate every week, so there's always something new to see.

Fifty Years of Daguerreotypes

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing June 2, 2019

The National Portrait Galley collects daguerreotypes, and since they've been in existence for 50 years, they have a lot of them.  When they were first made available, they were a way of democratizing portraiture, as they were much less expensive than paying an artist to paint a picture.  Think of them as the selfies of the 19th century.  Although it was a Frenchman, Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre who invented them, it was Americans who saw their potential and made them a commercial success.

The daguerreotypes on display in this small display are of famous people of the day.  P.T. Barnum makes an appearance, so that makes twice I've seen him lately - he was also featured in the "Lincoln's Contemporaries" show.  In addition, Robert Dale Owen is represented.  He was elected to Congress in 1842 and is known for introducing the legislation that established the Smithsonian.  So thanks very much Robert!

Verdict: If you are interested in 19th century portraiture, have a look.

It Wasn't Just About Us

Where: American History Museum

When: closing July 9, 2019

I don't know about you, but the history classes I had in elementary school (and high school too, for that matter) tended to portray the American Revolution as a stand-alone event, where the underdog colonists defeated the evil British, to establish liberty and justice for all.  Setting aside the fact that the liberty and justice were for a very select few, the war in North America was part of a much larger conflict, the Americans had lots of help from other nations, and the British basically gave up on keeping the colonies because they had bigger fish to fry elsewhere.  Not the sort of story that would go over big on the Fourth of July, but a more realistic picture nonetheless.

The Revolution had its origins in the Seven Years' War of 1756 - 1763.  In that war, the Americans were British subjects and fought with the British against the French.  France lost its land claims in North America and began plotting revenge against the British.

One of the historical items on display in this show is a pistol owned by General Braddock and given to George Washington.  Braddock was killed at the Battle of Monongahela (one of the major North American conflicts of the Seven Years' War), where Washington earned acclaim.  This is part of the reason I'm such a museum geek - here on display is an item that actually belonged to George Washington.  I hate to say it makes history come alive, because that's such a cliche, but it does make long ago events seem much more immediate.

France bided its time, and when the colonists took up arms against the British, they offered their assistance.  "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" was apparently their philosophy, and it worked out for them.  Britain, facing a large number of adversaries, with no allies to assist them, decided after their defeat at Yorktown to pack up and go.

Verdict: This is one of those exhibits at American History that's a bit tucked away.  Take the time to seek this out, as it provides a lot of context to a story you may think you know well.

Off We Go, Into The Wild Blue Yonder

Where: National Postal Museum

When: closing May 27, 2019

Since the trip to the Postal Museum is a long one for me, involving a Metro ride, rather than a couple of blocks of walking, I try to see several shows at once.  I saw this one the same day that I took in the one on stamps with flowering plants, and it was a rather incongruous pairing.  As my previous post described, the flowering stamps show was a relaxing trip into the garden, a way to retreat from winter into a philatelic springtime.  The early years of air mail was a frequently lethal trip into the skies.

1918 marked the first air mail delivery in the United States.  As perilous a journey as the Pony Express doubtless was, flying mail from one city to another appears to have been even more dangerous.  Starting on the East Coast, on a DC - Philadelphia - New York City route, by 1920, there was a New York City - San Francisco route.  Of the 200 pilots used to fly the planes, 34 were killed on the job.  There was no navigation as we know it today; the pilots depended on rivers and train tracks to determine their location.  In bad weather, when visibility would have been minimal, there was no way to know where you were.  One of the actual planes used is on display (hanging from the ceiling), and it looks pretty rickety.

If you go to see this show, note that it's not in the Franklin Foyer, as the website indicates.  It's on Level 1, in the "Networking a Nation" area.

Verdict: Probably not worth a trip all on its own (unless you're a postal history enthusiast), but if you're there anyway, give it a look.

Flowering Stamps

Where: National Postal Museum

When: closing July 14, 2019

I wasn't really looking forward to seeing this show; it was on my list, so I went to the Postal Museum to see it, but it wasn't with a sense of eager expectation.  As it happened, I really enjoyed it.  That happens sometimes, a show surprises me by being much better than I think it's going to be.  It's what encourages me to go to things I would otherwise skip.

This is a display of stamps featuring flowering plants, which doesn't sound terribly exciting, but the display is so well done that you feel as if you've stepped into a garden.  In fact, as you can see a bit in the photo, the Smithsonian Gardens set up a small arrangement of plants at the entrance, and there are garden benches scattered through the show.

Flower stamps are some of the most lovely in the museum's collection, and they are perennial (forgive the pun) favorites among customers.  Stamps from the 1960s were the result of Lady Bird Johnson's highway beautification efforts; there have been any number of stamps featuring the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin (if you ever visit DC in the springtime, go to see those in person - they are stunning), and in 1992 the USPS released a series of stamps featuring wildflowers from each state.

I loved this quote from Moya Andrews, an Australian gardening expert: "I can satisfy my addiction to flowers even when I mail my bills."

Verdict: A show that provides a colorful respite from the grey days of winter.

Those Who Lived With Lincoln

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing May 12, 2019

In 1860, the carte de visite, a photographic calling card, was all the rage.  Political candidates used them to spread the word on the campaign trail, and they were inexpensive enough that lots of people could use them in social situations.

Matthew Brady, the 19th century photographer everyone knows, capitalized on this fashion and photographed everyone who was anyone in the mid-1800s.  What's on display are modern prints from his original negatives.

We see politicians, artists, musicians, clergymen - even Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian makes an appearance.

Verdict: If you're interested in photography or the 19th century, give this a look.

One Life Becomes One Year

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing May 19, 2019

The National Portrait Gallery has transformed its "One Life" space into "One Year," a look at 1968, which is now 50 years ago.  So much for the "Don't trust anyone over 30" idea.

My own memories of 1968 are spotty at best.  I remember Robert Kennedy's assassination, and I remember my brother being born.  That's about it.  Turns out, there was a lot more going on than just those two things.

1968 was one of those cataclysmic years that happen every so often.  TIME magazine described it as the year "history cracked open."  From turmoil at home: guns in America, police brutality, the role of protest in sports, the election of diverse candidates to public office - stop me when this sounds familiar, to space exploration: Apollo 8 and the Earthrise photograph, 1968 was a year of ups and downs.

Verdict: You don't want to miss this walk down memory lane.  It's pretty groovy.

Another Installment of the Renwick Invitational

Where: Renwick Gallery

When: closing May 5, 2019

I was delighted to see that the Renwick Invitational had returned - I only wish it were an annual event.  It's great to see what new artists are doing - how they are pushing the boundaries between art and craft.  As always, we have four artists, and I've included a photograph of each one, so this will be a bit more visual than the usual post.

Sharif Bey is a ceramicist who offers us piles of pots.  I liked his portable studio, which he uses as he goes about the rest of his day, allowing him to make art anywhere.  What looks like a jumble of pots on the floor is actually a representation of human heads, many of them crushed or broken, a commentary on man's inhumanity to man.

Tanya Aquiniga concentrates on community-based projects around the U.S.-Mexico border.  I got to stand underneath her work Palapa - the photo is the view from inside.  Her weaving is meant to represent the weaving of cultures at the border.

Stephanie Syjuco is the maker of the electric green dresses, she would have livened up the costumes for "Little Women," no doubt.  Her view is that there is a relationship between how we categorize objects and how we view people.  So she shakes objects up a bit.

And finally, Dustin Farnsworth works in wood, making portraits of the marginalized and disadvantaged.  His particular focus is the decay that the youth of America will have to contend with - failing infrastructure for example, and the weight this places on them.

Overall, I confess I found the show a bit bleak.  Doubtless, this is a reflection of the serious issues of our times, and it's all necessary.  I'm not criticizing the artists for their outlook, much of which I share.  But if you're looking for the knitted superhero costumes of Invitationals past (one of my favorite things ever), this is not that show.

Verdict: I recommend this exhibit, but don't go expecting whimsy.