Hodgepodge 83/365 - Washington, D.C. II (Hirshhorn Art Gallery)

We braved the Mall around 11, shortly before the noon inauguration. As we emerged from the Metro we saw a long line to get onto the Mall, but we sidestepped that, went down a block or two, and . . . no line, no problem. We bypassed a few LOVE JESUS/REPENT protesters with huge signs, one small protest with a series of vicious signs (BLM hatred, social welfare hatred, PBS hatred, etc.), and soon we found ourselves in front of the Hirshhorn. Just as the first words of the inaugural speech were wafting through the air. I couldn't really hear (and tried not to), though the word yuge did seep into my consciousness. Clearly, it was museum time.

Inside, my daypack was searched, no problem, and then we were faced with a beautiful exhibition of orchids. And it felt like a sanctuary. Downstairs, Barbara Kruger and some animated art; upstairs, an installation of obsessive line art (which I loved); and up from that, an exhibit called World Time Clock and some pieces from the permanent collection. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours. Here are some photos from this part of the day (with artist/title info where I remembered to get it). (As always, click on the photos to see them large on black.)

Barbara Kruger, Belief + Doubt = Sanity

Our View from Here by Linn Meyers (below: close-up)

Jean-Paul Riopelle, Large Triptych

Bettina Pouttschi, World Time Clock
(Asuncion, Dubai, Cape Town)

Reynier Leyva Novo, The Weight of History: 5 Nights
On the left: Hitler's Mein Kampf

Jannis Kounellis, Untitled

Alexander Calder, Fish