museum

Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

@smithsonian tweets:

“Our policy on #selfie sticks, TLDR version: Take those selfies but leave the stick in your bag”

Their full press release says:

“For the safety of our visitors and collections, the Smithsonian prohibits the use of tripods or monopods in our museums and gardens. Effective today, March 3, monopod selfie sticks are included in this policy.

This is a preventive measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions.

We encourage museum visitors to take selfies and share their experiences—and leave the selfie sticks in their bags.”

@spruzin tweets us:

“Construction has begun at the Museum of the Bible in SW…”

You can check out some more info and renderings on the museum here.

From a press release:

“The National Children’s Museum (NCM) announced that it will relocate to Washington, D.C. from its location at National Harbor in 2015. The current site in Prince George’s County, Md. has welcomed more than 250,000 visitors in the two years since opening, though challenges such as lack of nearby public transportation, available space and affordable options to expand the building have made it difficult to extend the museum’s exhibits and programming to a broader community of children, families and tourists throughout the metro area.

According to Chairman of the NCM Board of Directors S. Ross Hechinger, limits to accessibility and program space have created barriers to fulfilling the museum’s mission in recent years. “The mission of the National Children’s Museum is ‘to inspire children to care about and improve the world.’ By returning to the District, the Board believes the museum can better serve all children across the metropolitan area, as well as the thousands of tourists who have been our traditional visitors,” said Hechinger. Hechinger acknowledged both Prince George’s County and state of Maryland government officials for their support for NCM at National Harbor.

Washington, D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans said he endorsed the Board’s decision to relocate to the District, stating, “As a former board member, I am delighted to welcome the museum and its dedicated staff back to the District. I anticipate the new administration will be eager to embrace such an important institution that will benefit children of all ages for years to come.”

Former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams echoed Evans’ support, saying, “A new location in D.C. will mean all children, regardless of their ZIP code, will be able to walk through the museum’s doors and be inspired.”

LuAnn Bennett, co-chair of NCM, is leading the search for a new location in the District, which will be announced as soon as the site is confirmed. During the transition, NCM plans to continue operating the institution’s many successful programs throughout the region. The museum expects to continue to serve a quarter of a million children through various trademark programs and events, such as annual participation in the White House Easter Egg Roll, July 4th on the Mall activities, the National Institute of Health (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) in collaboration with Children’s National Medical Center, and the Family Literacy Projects on a Budget® programs.”

Thanks to all who sent emails. From Smithsonian:

“After nearly a year-and-a-half of planning, BIG has revealed its plans for the campus redesign, which includes renovations to the Smithsonian Castle, new entrances for the National Museum of African Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and improved access to the Freer Gallery of Art and to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.”

Lots more info and renderings here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

From a press release:

“Forty years ago this month, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened to the public with great fanfare. As the first museum on the National Mall devoted to modern art and one of the world’s leading museums of contemporary and modern art, the striking round building is home to a highly regarded permanent collection and pioneering exhibitions that reflect the best art of our time.

Continuing in that tradition, the museum kicks off its yearlong 40th anniversary celebration with two new exhibitions Oct. 16. “At the Hub of Things: New Views of the Collection” and “Days of Endless Time” feature works by more than 60 artists. A series of free public programs is planned as part of the anniversary celebration. The museum has also made a number of new acquisitions in this anniversary year, including significant works by the Guerrilla Girls, Laurel Nakadate, Catherine Opie and Thomas Struth. (more…)

Photo via Smithsonian’s Bento Website

Thanks to a reader for sending while I was gone last week.

From the Smithsonian’s Bento Website:

“Opening this weekend in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is an installation by contemporary Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, whose art uses everyday objects such as yarn, shoes, and keys to create room-filling works that have deep personal meaning. In her installation, called Over the Continents, she used 350 donated shoes and 4 miles of the same shade of red yarn used in the yarn bomb. Part of the Freer|Sackler’s Perspectives series of contemporary art, Shiota’s work will be on view for the next year. The yarn bomb, unfortunately, can only stay up through Labor Day.

The yarn bomb was installed the evening of August 28 and revealed early in the morning on August 29, the day before Perspectives: Chiharu Shiota officially opened to the public. We had been knitting for about two weeks to create all of the pieces.”

Ed. Note: I missed a bunch of cool/notable stuff last week while I was on vacation – I’ll try to play catch up and post the good stuff the rest of this week – if you think I missed something really big – please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail – thanks!