Pondering Social Change and Activism...

            This past week I attended a very poignant evening at the Hirshhorn. A new exhibition opened called Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980's.  I was delighted to listen to Guerilla Girl, who has taken the name Kathe Kollwitz, and Krysztof Wodiczko recall their personal stories and experiences that lead them to make art to bring attention to and inspire change on the political front and begin to unpack the new rapidly changing technologies and commerce of the time. 

Gianni Jetzer, Curator at Large in conversation with GG:Kathe Kollwitz & Krysztof Wodiczko 02/13/2018

            Topics such as AIDS, gender disparity, economics, gun control....It is amazing sitting there and listening, I was reminded that as much as things change they stay the same. These artists are still as madly relevant as the dilemmas they ponder.  

Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC, 1988-2000

             This show is masterfully curated and immediately takes you back to the 80's.  And if you questioned the relevance to today's challenges...
            Ironically, this exhibition opened the day before the massacre in Florida at Parkland High School whipping us back to the reality that is now.  The Hirshhorn made the decision to postpone Wodiczko's projection aptly titled: Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC, 1988-2000. Artforum magazine has called out the institution for missing an opportunity to bring attention to our nations gun problem by postponing the projection. This is commentary that I support. Now is the time to rise and raise hell for the sake of our school communities! 
           Personally, I am overwhelmed by the continued tragedy in our nation. As a teacher there is not a day that goes by that it does not cross my mind that something violent and terrible could happen. There is a lack of interest in preserving human life when it comes to gun control. Where is the value on human life? I am so proud of the young people in Florida that know they can use their voice, their social media and their strength in numbers to bring change. We have just witnessed the birth of a renewed outraged activism with this generation. Articulate passionate youth! RISE.

Infinite Madness on Easter!

 Easter Sunday I woke up before dawn, woke my youngest and we headed off to the Hirshhorn to wait in line for same day passes to the Yayoi Kusama Infinity Exhibition!

We arrived to the line at 6:30 am and were already the 70th folks in line...

Time passed quickly because we brought a deck of cards...

If you haven't played Exploding Kittens it is a must!

Once we acquired our tickets we sat in the garden and read about this dynamo of an artist! Yayoi's story is one of inspiration and audacity!

A true delight in an almost overloaded sensory & exceptional visual experience! It is a wonderful way to spend a day with family and friends getting lost in the infinite possibilities that Kusama creates for us!

Spending the day at the Hirshhorn was a lovely way to spend Easter! 

#infinitymirrors
#YayoiKusama

Radiant Energy!

Yayoi Kusama is making her presence known at the Hirshhorn! She is an avant-garde sculptor, painter and novelist. Her pumpkin has arrived and it is a lovely foretelling of the work that will be on exhibit in February! We will be so lucky to experience the Infinity Mirrors. I had the pleasure of experiencing her work at the Mattress Factory a year ago in Pittsburgh with my students. They were awestruck and inspired. This will surely be a must see in our own backyard!