The Smithsonian Institution was based on a gift of James Smithson, a British scientist, who left his entire estate to the United States of America in 1827.  His gift of over 100,000 gold sovereigns, or $500,000, (just under $9.5 million in today’s dollars) required the government to establish the Smithsonian Institution, to “increase and diffusion of knowledge."

An act of Congress in 1846 expanded the growth of collection into the world’s largest museum complex (16 museums) with over 140 million objects and the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian museums include:

• Anacostia Community Museum
• Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
• Arts and Industries Building
• Freer Gallery of Art
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Museum of African Art
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Portrait Gallery
• National Postal Museum
• S. Dillon Ripley Center
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Smithsonian Institution Building
• Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo)
• The National Gallery of Art (affiliated)

Happy Birthday Smithsonian!!

___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Ranging from somewhat predictable Andy Warhol-like black & white still-life movies with not much happening, to some very entertaining and provocative clips reflecting the transition from consciousness to the dream state.

The exhibit is mostly showcased in a series of dark galleries (so dark, at times it’s almost impossible to see your way around).  At times, I had to stop in my tracks as I was unable to see my next step.  At one point, as I was literally feeling my way through a dark gallery with a movie playing, I almost stepped on another person who thought it would be smart to sit on the floor instead of the provided chairs.

Some of the 20+ exhibits were simple black and white film loops cast onto a wall while others were much more creative, provocative and entertaining.

Several of the pieces pulled me in for five or more minutes, while others, either making me uncomfortable or bored, urged me to move on quickly.

A couple pieces that I really enjoyed were films of a man speaking narrowly focused on to a three-dimensional balloon. The balloon, was used as the screen, roughly the size of a human head.  The talking human image came to life on the round balloon, and appeared surrealistically lifelike. Some people, you could tell were uncomfortable with the images, and passed quickly.

Another piece I enjoyed very much was a heavily fog-filled dark room with a solitary green laser beam light, placed horizontally at head height. The fog was thick enough that caused most visitors to walk hesitantly around the exhibit, while others turned around. 

The second part of the exhibit, Realisms, which open in June, will  focus on the digital age and the impact on real time life.

The Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality, and the Moving Image – Part I: Dreams
The Hirshhorn Museum 
900 Jefferson Dr., SW, corner of 7th, SW and Independence Ave.
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates and Times – 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., through May, 11, 2008 

Admission – FREE

Nearest Metro Subway Station – L’Enfant Plaza – Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Green lines, then a 3-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street parking is available.

Images – Flickr – dream, blue sonar, museum exterior – from personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti

__________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler