A Look Back at the Future of America

Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum

When: through September 17, 2017

As I believe I mentioned when I blogged about the Kennedy photos at American History, it's hard for those of us who see the 1960s, particular the early 1960s, as history to realize how much it was the future to those living it.  The world was changing; a young new leader was taking over, and everyone was anticipating a new chapter in the American story.

Kennedy was the most photographed president ever, and for good reason.  He was photogenic, as was his wife and their two small children.  My favorite shot in the exhibit is one of JFK and Caroline.  Both in this show and in the photos at American History, the ones with her seem less staged, more real.  Her love for her father comes through, and I don't think a child that small can fake emotions.

The other aspect of the show that I loved was the emphasis on the arts.  JFK believed that the arts were a crucial part of American life, and Jackie was instrumental in both bringing the Mona Lisa to the National Gallery of Art for three weeks (I had no idea!) and in saving the Renwick - which I did know.

Verdict: A fine exhibit that gives the visitor a real look at a vibrant time. 

Clang, Clang, Clang Goes the Trolley

Where: National Postal Museum

When: through September 10, 2017

This display was under the escalator on the lower level of the museum, what they call the "Franklin Foyer," as there's a statue of Benjamin Franklin close by.

Beginning in St. Louis in the 1890s, the Post Office used trolleys to deliver mail in cities, with workers sorting the mail on board.  The practice spread to other cities, and even during the trolley strikes at the turn of the century, post office trolleys were generally allowed to proceed on their way.  Eventually, the trolleys were replaced by trucks that could handle packages; the last service was in Baltimore in 1929.

Verdict: A glance into the past courtesy of the Postal Museum, interesting, but not what you'd call a blockbuster show.

Every Year: Nature's Best

Where: Natural History Museum

When: through September 15, 2017

First, my apologies for the long silence.  Between the National Book Festival and my class, I've had no Saturdays free for blogging since August.  But, I'm back now, so on with the show...

Every year, the Natural History Museum displays the winners of the Nature's Best Photography Competition, and every year I recommend you go and see this show.  Every photograph is stunning; I walk out each time feeling a sense of wonder, both at the beauty of our planet and at the talents of all those responsible for these pictures.

Verdict: This year's display has finished, but whenever they put up next year's winners, go to see them.

Yet Another Trip to the Hirshhorn

Where: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

When: closing dates throughout September 2017

There are times throughout the year when there seem to be so many exhibits closing so soon that I can hardly make time to see them all.  Right now is one of those times.  I usually set aside two days per week to visit museums, but lately, I've had to increase my attendance at the Smithsonian and National Gallery.  My yoga practice has suffered, I'm sorry to say, and I'll be glad when things settle down a bit.  Of course, this is a great (First World) problem to have.

One of the museums that's got lots of shows closing in September is the concrete donut.  In addition to the Yoko One pieces, there's also a "Masterworks" show and an exhibit of Markus Lupertz works.

I went over to the museum I love to hate on Tuesday and saw a Yoko One item I hadn't seen with my niece when we visited last week.  It was called Sky TV, and that's exactly what this is.  It's a TV set showing the sky.  The wall notes tell me Ono got the idea for this when she lived in a windowless apartment in New York City and longed to see the sky.  It occurs to me that, if you're seeing this in a museum, you've been outside and been able to see the sky "live," so perhaps this isn't the best way to show it.  Maybe it should be something you could see on your own TV, like the fireplace log burning that they show on TV on Christmas Day?  Or something you could stream on your computer?

I also saw the "Masterworks" show, which I think I've seen before.  "Big Man" was out front, with his baleful stare.  Hard to say he's welcoming you, but when you see him, you know you're at the entrance.  "The Weight of History" is also here, where the artist depicts the writings of history's monsters as blocks of toner - the longer the tracts, the bigger the block.  Hitler is the biggest, for what it's worth.  "Venus of the Rags" is here too, which makes me smile.  I thought their Yinka Shonibare piece was included (as it should be), but I didn't see it.  Perhaps it's on loan?

Finally, I went to the Lower Level and saw the Markus Lupertz exhibit.  This is a survey of his works from the 1960s and 1970s.  They weren't really to my taste, to be blunt.  He's a Neo-Expressionist, which seems to be similar to being an Abstract Expressionist, as nothing's terribly attractive.  I do appreciate his works condemning war and militarism, particularly German militarism, responsible for so much of the 20th century's loss of life.  Still, a little of this goes a long way.

Verdict: It's the Hirshhorn; expect little, and the few things worth seeing will be that much more worthwhile.

The Artfulness of the Everyday

Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building

When: through September 4, 2017

This photo shows my view as I walked up to the Tower (now called Tower 3) to see the Theaster Gates exhibit.  "What on earth is this?" was my reaction.  As I approached, I saw it was a gigantic bookshelf, really a book-box, as it had four sides and a space in the middle.  All of the books are bound volumes of Ebony magazine.  I'm not entirely certain what this means, but it was intriguing.

There are several other pieces in this room, with a map on the wall to tell you what each piece is.  It's a bit confusing to figure out, so I just stood back and took it all in.  There are more pieces in the room with the elevator just off this room, and they were a bit tricky to decipher as well.

One of the wall notes read that the artist "...stakes a claim for the artfulness of the everyday."  I don't really have anything to add to that, other than to say the pieces are well-executed and hold your attention.

Verdict: If you don't mind the time it takes to get to Tower 3, I'd recommend looking at this small show. 

Tiny Garden Models

Where: Ripley Center

When: no closing date

I went over to see this small display in the Concourse last week, as the original closing date was early September (and I'm now on to September closings - where does the time go?!?!).  Now, however, they've decided to keep it up longer and the closing date has been changed to TBD.  So no need to rush out and see this.

It's a display of several models of gardens, done in miniature.  You also get a photograph of the real garden (from the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens - who knew?), so it's not just a little toy.  It's an actual small replica, designed to spur you on to great feats of garden design.  Or at least, give you some ideas of what to do in your back yard.

My only problem with this is that the notes are printed in small type and set mostly in the center of the display.  And since the models are set in the middle of large brick pedestals, the middle is rather far from where the viewer is standing.  Very hard to see, if one doesn't have eagle eyes.

Verdict: Worth a look, if you're on your way to something else.  Basically, just a nice way to decorate the Concourse.