Today, November 16, the Hirschhorn Smithsonian Museum and Sculpture Garden broke ground on a renovated sculpture garden designed by artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto. The event was hosted by First Lady Jill Biden, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie J. Butch III, Smithsonian CEO Steve Case, artist-architect Hiroshi Sugimoto and Hirschhoorn Director Melissa Chiu.
This extraordinary discovery celebrates the rich history of the Smithsonian's only outdoor arts center on the National Mall. Influential contemporary artists such as Laurie Anderson, Jeff Koons and Adam Pendleton joined the leadership of the Smithsonian, Hirschhoorn and the city during this period of transformation for the National Museum of Modern Art.
"By preparing the Hirshhorn campus for the 21st century, we are fulfilling our mission to steward the national collection responsibly and reach the widest possible audience," said Chew. “We strive to strengthen the sculpture garden and provide the flexibility that current and future visitors, artists and scientists need. We are honored to work closely with Hiroshi Sugimoto who has created a unique open space where art can only be experienced as an artist. to be able to."
The groundbreaking marks a milestone in the nearly 50-year history of the staghorn, which will feature on the grounds of the National Museum of Modern Art. After the laying of the foundation stone, the museum will move the sculpture from the garden to the museum grounds. In spring 2023 the garden will be closed for two years.
"Our campus is our facility," Chew said. “This resurgence compels us to evolve software: languages and platforms to address, engage and grow global audiences. We need to pick them up where they are: at our National Mall or online.
The museum's opening ceremony was attended by pop star J. It followed Balvin's appointment as his first cultural ambassador and the release of his first collection in half a century. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: The Collection is a version of technology that uses Hirshhorn's revolutionary image recognition software - Hirshhorn's Eye (called "Halo" for short) - to activate book images and share original videos directly on readers' smartphones. The Hirshhorn worked closely with the Smithsonian Channel on The Exhibition , a new non-fiction series from the museum exploring answers to creative questions inspired by the Hirshhorn's permanent collection and exhibits.
About the Hirshhorn Collection
The Hirshhorn's permanent collection includes works by prominent artists from the late 19th century to the present, including paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media installations, works on paper and works in new media. The Hirschhorn houses one of the world's largest collections of modern sculpture, many examples of which are on display both inside and outside the sculpture garden.
An active program of international acquisitions will expand the Hirsch Collection in all media, with an emphasis on new works and works by artists and in collaboration with museums. Artists represented in the works include Ai Weiwei, Mark Bradford, David Hammons, Mona Hatoum, Robert Irwin, Yoko Ono, Rafael Montanez Ortiz, Susan Phillips, Adrian Piper, Gerhard Richter, Doris Salcedo and Rachel Whiteread. Global Modernism is also a collector's item, and recent additions include works by Monir Shahroudi Farmanfarmayan, Natsuyuki Nakanishi and Park So-bo. Recently added African American artists to the collection include Charles Gaines, Arthur Jaffe, Jenny S. Jones, Senga Nengudi, Sandra Perry, and Henry Taylor.
About Hirschhorn
The Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is the national museum for contemporary art and a leading voice in 21st century art and culture. Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the staghorn stands prominently on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The collection comprises one of the largest collections of post-war contemporary art programs open to the public. The open-air museum and the sculpture garden are open daily (except December 25) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit hirshhorn.si.edu for more information. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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