He Had a Dream

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing April 30, 2018

It's always a good idea to see the photographs in the Honoring/Remembering space as quickly as possible, as they can change without warning.

Right now, this photograph of the Rev. Martin Luther King is on display.  It's one I've seen many times in reproduction, but I've never seen "live."  It was taken by a history teacher named James Lewis Hiller, at a meeting of high school teachers.  The meetings were segregated, and Hiller, who was white, went over to the meeting of African-American teachers, as he wanted to hear Dr. King speak.

The photograph shows Dr. King in a pensive mood, as if listening carefully to another speaker. I often think that one of the things we are sorely lacking today is an ability to listen to others.

Verdict: A great photograph - if you're in the museum for a show, take a moment to stop by and see it.

Best American History Archives Exhibit Ever

Where: American History Museum

When: closing April 29, 2018

The folks at the Archives Center in the American History Museum have outdone themselves with their current display of artifacts related to Ella Fitzgerald.  They've got more space, and they've made the most of it.  Having spent time putting up displays at a library where I used to work, I have a lot of sympathy and fellow-feeling for those who have to do what they can with less immediately interesting materials.  This time, they've done a lot.

A word about Fitzgerald: discovered at an Apollo Theater amateur night, she was one of the first female orchestra leaders.  She was an incredible vocal improviser; she literally made it up as she went along.  One of the items on display is an album cover from 1986, featuring a drawing of her by Picasso.  Pictured is a dress she wore in one of her performances, and there are several of her many awards on view as well.

But the real draw is a video, showing her singing.  How better to introduce Ella Fitzgerald to those who don't know her than by her voice?  Great idea and well executed.  The volume is loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to be disruptive to the rest of the wing.

Verdict: This display is worth a trip to American History all on its own.

Yet More Videos

Where: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

When: closing April 22, 2018

No matter how dreadful the rest of the Hirshhorn may be, the videos are always worth a look.  The current show, "The Message: New Media Works" just proves this point.

Each film is intriguing, but the two I liked best were "Grosse Fatigue" which was filmed in the Smithsonian Archives - oh, the things they have, stacks and stacks full of things, and "How to Not be Seen."

The latter is a serious examination of the surveillance state and the lengths one has to go to not be seen by it.  I know I should have walked away, shaken and horrified, but the sound track is The Three Degrees singing, "When Will I See You Again."  So I lip-synced and toe-tapped my way through the video, withe a smile on my face.  I'm not sure if that's a mistake on the author's part, or a demonstration of my lack of depth and seriousness.

Verdict: Yet another fine film offering - allow plenty of time if you wish to see all of these in their entirety.

Just What I Expected

Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building

When: closing April 1, 2018

Oh brother, why must the least appealing exhibits at the National Gallery of Art be housed at the very top of the building?  It's a slog up all those steps, and at the end, you've got Anne Truitt.  I expected to dis-like this show, and I was not disappointed.

Her art consists of columns that she paints.  Sometimes, it's two colors, but mostly just one.  That's it.  I call this "painting the living room" art;  it's not really art, just painting something.  She's referred to as a  minimalist, but minimalism would be a veritable cornucopia of clutter compared to this.

There's a video of an interview with her playing in the second room, and she says at one point that "it takes 50 years for an idea to float across."  Perhaps she should have waited a little longer.

Verdict: So not worth the trip.

Happy Birthday Marlene Dietrich!

Where: National Portrait Gallery

When: closing April 15, 2018

Yes, I'm now making my way through the April closings.  If I keep up this pace, I might even be able to use my lunch times to see parts of the Smithsonian permanent collection, or take a museum tour.

December 27 was Marlene Dietrich's birthday, so what better time to go see the exhibit on how she cultivated her image?  Refusing to bow to anyone else's expectations, she lived her life and wore her clothes on her own terms.  And no one, not the French government, not society's expectations, not her long list of lovers, not even Adolf Hitler could stop her.

Born in Germany, she was an international star who embraced an androgynous nature.  As beautiful in men's suits as she was in an evening gown, she was openly bisexual, at a time when no one was openly anything, other than perfectly straight.

She acted, she sang, she danced, she played the musical saw, and she cultivated her image, which may have been the most demanding of her roles.  She was also fiercely anti-Nazi, and risked her life to entertain troops during WWII.  The medals she received for her war work meant more to her than any accolades for her other performances, she said.

Looking at one of her photographs, I heard Madeline Kahn in my head, "Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome, c'mon in..."  And then I read the wall notes that said Dietrich was recalled by Kahn in "Blazing Saddles."  Always so satisfying to think of something before I'm reminded by the official commentary.

Verdict: Don't miss this great tribute to a terrific actress, who was always true to her own moral compass.