Step into the Smithsonian’s Asian art galleries on a sticky Washington
summer day and you will exhale in relaxation.
Located in the sprawling Enid Haupt garden behind the Smithsonian castle,
the Freer-Sackler is a two for one, housing both the Freer Gallery, opened in
1923 as the Smithsonian’s first art museum, and the underground Sackler gallery. Also take note of the Freer’s central
courtyard and fountain, equipped with chairs, often empty, and a world away
from the Washington mall.
While some
of the Freer’s large permanent collection is of the type that is notable for
simply being ancient (I am looking at you, ceramics jugs), many of the large
wall scrolls and paintings are intricate and fascinating. The gallery also contains a collection of
work by the American painter James Whistler, including his opulent “Peacock
Room”. Take the stairs beneath the
Freer, perhaps get lost in the buildings warrens, and find the Sackler gallery’s
rotating collection of both contemporary and historical art exhibits. Running through September 2013 is drawings,
models and a documentary on Chinese artist Xu Bing’s Phoenix Project, giant
Phoenix sculptures built entirely out of construction refuge. The museum also permanently displays Xu Bing’s
Monkey’s Grasping for the Moon, a
multi-floor hanging sculpture depicting the word monkey in a dozen different
languages. Lastly, make sure to take a
look in the Sackler’s gift shop, containing a good amount of Asian historical
and art books, gifts, and prints.
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