S+ART

Goings On

The Kennedys 50 Years Ago

This winter, visitors will be able to see nine photographs of the Kennedys as taken by Richard Avedon for Harpers Bazaar. During the photo session 50 years ago—the only to take place between the election and the inauguration—Avedon removed the usual activity-filled environments and set them in front of his plain background allowing the viewer to engage directly with the Kennedys. The unique set of images is on view for the first time at the museum since their donation in 1966. The display also includes Avedon’s contact sheets, allowing visitors insight into his retouching and editorial process.
[text via NMAH exhibitions - image via NMAH]

Visit the National Museum of American History blog for more information about Richard Avedon's photo shoot with the Kennedys and additional images from the exhibition.

Through Feb. 28, 2011
National Museum of American History
Second Floor West
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Also at NMAH: Portrait of Stephen Colbert (back on view as of Dec. 16, 2010)

A series of segments on "The Colbert Report" in 2008 depicted comedian Stephen Colbert's quest to have his portrait accepted by one of the Smithsonian’s museums.  The portrait hung in the National Portrait Gallery through April 1, 2008.

On April 1, 2008, the National Museum of American History agreed to display Stephen Colbert's portrait in the "Treasures of American History" exhibition until it closed on April 13, 2008.  Later that year, the portrait went on view in the newly renovated National Museum of American History, where it remained on view until September 2009.  The portrait returned view at the National Museum of American History on December 16, 2010.
[text and image via NMAH]

For more information about this portrait, visit the portrait's fact sheet.

 

National Museum of American History
Third floor, West
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The Orchid in Chinese Painting

On view will be 20 works related to orchids in Chinese painting, ranging in date from the 15th century to the 19th century. The cymbidium orchid (lan) has been cultivated in China for hundreds of years. Since the time of Confucius (551-479 BCE), the cymbidium orchid has been associated with principled, moral gentlemen and with such attributes as friendship, loyalty, and patriotism. After the orchid became an independent subject in Chinese painting during the Song dynasty (960-1279), artists depicted orchids using outline and color. From the 13th century on, most scholar artists chose to paint the leaves and blossoms calligraphically, using only ink. Twelve of the paintings that will be on view belong to the ink orchid tradition. Also, this exhibition will coincide with the exhibition Orchids: A View from the East on view at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum beginning January 29 through April 24, 2011.
[text via SI Exhibitions - image via Freer|Sackler]

For more information about the history and symbolism of orchids in Chinese art, visit the exhibition page.

Jan. 15, 2011 - July 17, 2011 
Sackler Gallery
Sublevel 1
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 Allison Recht

Tips and Techniques: Sand Animation

A recent trip to the beach has inspired me to think of sand in an entirely new way.  I’m curious to know how many of you have ever tried, or considered trying, sand animation.  No, I’m not talking about the layers of colored sand in decorative bottles, nor gargantuan sand sculpture contests.  I’m talking about the quick and ephemeral finger drawings pressed into flat, sand covered surfaces. 

 Sand animation is a newer medium in the art world, perhaps yet to be taken as seriously as it should.  It combines the immediacy and honesty of line drawings with three-dimensional texture and value.  Plus, it’s fun!  Although sand animation may be a little messy for the kids to experiment with in the living room, it certainly is a forgiving medium and fascinating art project! 

Ukrainian sand animation artist, Kseniya Simonova, proves that her craft is more than a craft in her videos from Ukraine’s Got Talent.  As the show’s winner in 2009, Simonova beautifully depicts themes of war and hardship through a medium that is innately playful.  She illustrates life during the USSR’s Great Patriotic War against the Third Reich in World War II.

Observe the effortless sweeps of her hands and strokes of her fingers in creating such moving works.
 

 Feel inspired?  Next time you are at the beach, try a little sand animation of your own!  Although you may not become the next winner of Ukraine’s Got Talent, you may find a new medium to love!

Have fun in the sand!