museum

“National Building Museum’s new exhibition about Notre-Dame de Paris opens on April 15!”

By Prince Of Petworth


Using a Histopad™, a visitor views an augmented reality simulation of the construction of Notre-Dame de Paris in the exhibition. Credit: Histovery

From a press release:

“On April 15, the National Building Museum will bring French heritage back to life with a major new exhibition, Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition, a 360-degree augmented reality immersion into the 850-year history of the cathedral and its ongoing restoration. The innovative installation is designed and produced by Histovery, a French start-up, in collaboration with the Public Institution in charge of the conservation and restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris. L’Oréal is the exclusive sponsor of the exhibit.

The exhibition’s North American debut at the Museum takes place on the third anniversary of the 2019 fire that ravaged this UNESCO World Heritage site and runs through Monday, September 26, 2022. An inaugural exhibition launches on April 7, 2022 in Paris, France at the Collège des Bernadins. This visually stunning experience is the first interactive technology exhibition on display at the National Building Museum. (more…)

“U.S. Botanic Garden Fully Reopens April 1”

By Prince Of Petworth


courtesy USBG

From a press release:

“The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) will reopen the Conservatory to the public on April 1, marking a full reopening of all areas of the USBG. Entrance to the USBG is free and timed tickets will not be required. The Conservatory will resume normal hours of 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, the gated outdoor gardens will be open spring-summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens will continue to be open dawn to dusk. (more…)

“National Gallery Nights is Back! For the first time ever, the National Gallery of Art will open its West Building for the beloved evening program”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“For the first time ever, the National Gallery of Art will open its West Building for the beloved evening program formerly called NGA Nights. Three evening programs–on April 14, May 12, and June 9–will offer music, performances, pop-up experiences, and art-making activities throughout the West Building from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Light fare and drinks are available for purchase.

The April 14 event marks the return of in-person, evening programming since the spring 2020 season was canceled. It also offers the unique opportunity to enjoy a nighttime visit to Afro-Atlantic Histories, our major exhibition opening on April 10.

For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, registration is free but required, and capacity is limited. Registration for our April 14 event opens on Monday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m. Registration for May and June will open one month in advance: April 15 for the May 12 event, and May 13 for the June 9 event. The National Gallery will close to the public as usual at 5:00 p.m. and invite visitors to re-enter at Constitution Avenue and 6th Street NW after 6:00 p.m. At this time, face masks and proof of vaccine will not be required; we will communicate with registrants in advance if there are any updates to this policy.

See nga.gov/nights for more details, registration, and the most up-to-date information on performers, offerings, and safety measures. Learn about our COVID safety measures.

Program Descriptions (more…)

“Planet Word adds new free story vending machine – DC’s first”

By Prince Of Petworth


“On March 5, Planet Word installed D.C.’s first Short Édition Story Dispenser. Located in the museum’s entryway, it provides free access to hundreds of short stories or poems at the touch of a button. The dispenser prints the stories on eco-friendly paper so visitors can take their new reading material home as a keepsake of their visit. The Short Story Edition Dispenser is a gift of Joshua and Lisa Bernstein. Credit: Les Talusan.”

From an email: “Planet Word (13th and K Street, NW) just added a new Short Edition Story Dispenser. Already popular in 300 cities across Europe and the U.S., It’s DC’s first and allows visitors to print out a story or poem to take home with them. It was unveiled Saturday and is now available at the museum which is free and open to the public.”

Starting Friday Mask Mandate Ends at Smithsonian Museums including the Zoo and Starting Monday the Zoo and Natural History Museum will be open 7 days a week!

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by angela n.

From the Smithsonian:

“Beginning Friday, March 11, the Smithsonian will no longer require visitors to wear a mask to visit its museums and the National Zoo. Visitors may choose to wear a mask during their visit. This change reflects recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local and national guidelines around masking indoors.

The Smithsonian will also begin a gradual transition to museums being open more days per week. Starting Monday, March 14, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo will be open to the public seven days a week. (more…)

April 1 Opening Date for “One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection”

By Prince Of Petworth


“Visitor experiencing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart Is Dancing into the Universe (2018), part of the 2022 exhibition One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Photo by Matailong Du. Wood and glass mirrored room with paper lanterns, 119 5/8 x 245 1/8 x 245 1/8 in. (304 x 622.4 x 622.4 cm). Courtesy Ota Fine Arts and Victoria Miro, London/Venice. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Purchased jointly by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (Joseph H. Hirshhorn Purchase Fund, 2020), and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, with funds from the George B. and Jenny R. Mathews Fund, by exchange.”

From a press release:

“The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will debut “One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection,” a focused look at the celebrated artist’s nearly seven-decade long career, April 1-Nov. 27. Presented nearly five years after the Hirshhorn’s milestone exhibition “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors,” this exhibition will showcase work by Kusama from the museum’s permanent collection, featuring two recently acquired Infinity Mirror Rooms.

After a 17-month closure of the museum’s building, “One with Eternity” joins the Hirshhorn’s dynamic spring exhibition schedule in inviting visitors to once again explore all the interior galleries and celebrate the art and ideas of today and the artists who paved the way. (more…)

U.S. Botanic Garden-Smithsonian Gardens orchid show opened in the Kogod Courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery

By Prince Of Petworth


courtesy United States Botanic Garden

From a press release:

“On Jan. 29, the Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden opened the 26th annual orchid exhibition. “Orchids: Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women” will be on display in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery through April 24 (currently open Thursday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m..) The exhibition unearths stories of women who have enriched the understanding and appreciation of orchids. (more…)

“Hirshhorn Wins Approval for Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Sculpture Garden Revitalization”

By Prince Of Petworth


Rendering of the central garden courtesy of the Hirshhorn

Ed. Note: I’m told they expect to break ground next fall and reopen in 2024-2025, the Hirshhorn’s 50th anniversary year.

From the Hirshhorn:

“The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has successfully completed the public consultation process for the revitalization of its Sculpture Garden. The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve the final proposal, joining the Commission of Fine Arts, which voted on July 15 to approve the project. (more…)

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