The Exhibition
Last week I recommended a visit to the Glenstone Museum if you find yourself in the D.C. area. But The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in downtown D.C. is also worth a visit. They have recently mounted the largest ever U.S. exhibition of the artist and performer Laurie Anderson. The show is on view until July 31st, and will include live performances by the artist on specified dates in conjunction with the exhibition.
The Artist
Laurie Anderson is a multifaceted artist who works with multimedia installations, sound, performance, and writing. She has garnered an international reputation as an artist who toes the line between the avant-garde and the mainstream. She has won a Grammy award and has released seven albums for Warner Bros. Her album Big Science, which includes her hit single “O Superman” reached No. 2 on the British pop charts. She has performed widely, combining elements of poetry, elaborate set installations, and experimental sounds to create a one of a kind experience for audiences. Her visual art has received multiple awards and exhibitions around the world. In addition to her work as an artist she has also invented a variety of musical instruments which she uses in her performances. Recently she has been experimenting with A.I. and teaches poetry at Harvard University.
The Museum
Her show at The Hirshhorn Museum, titled, Laurie Anderson: The Weather, will debut more than a dozen new artworks. The immersive audio-visual experience will take place on the second floor of the museum and also include key works from the artist’s five decade long career. Opening in 1974, The Hirshhorn Museum has been a leading voice in contemporary art. In addition to their impressive permanent collection they have mounted groundbreaking exhibitions over the years. The building, designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Gordon Bunshaft, features a hollow center and a cylindrical structure. The elevated structure allows for its four acres of landscape to show their robust sculpture collection and garden.
