day off

[anotheranon]

Yesterday I took a "use or lose" day off and hit some local museums with skill_grl.

First stop was the National Building Museum, mostly because it was open for coffee. Nice, large open floor space and though I don't often think about architecture, it's one of those things I find interesting when it's put in front of me. In particular, the Green House sustainable design exhibit gave me lots of food for thought about the ways housing can be designed to work with the landscape rather than fighting it every inch of the way. Making something beautiful that is also practical is just elegant in a way I can't describe - a neverending design challenge in any creative discipline.

Most of the day, however, was spent in the American Art museum and the Portrait Gallery, which recently reopened after renovation - I don't think I'd been in either since I moved here. It's sort of two museums in one building and it's quite easy to pass from one to the other without realizing it :P Visting them with skill_grl was especially eye opening because she favors and knows about types of art that I don't. This was especially noticeable in the portrait gallery, because my interest in costume has created in me the habit of looking at portraits as mere information, where she's capable of considering them as artistic statements in their own right.

But this wasn't the best bit.

Up on the highest floor they have their conservation center semi-open for viewing (glass walls), and though I don't know most of what they're doing I'm just thrilled to tiny bits that it's there where I can see it! The upper floor is also well stocked with several levels of slide out drawers displaying all manner of folk art, craft art, medalions, jewelry, miniature portraits and other goodies that would take weeks and years to go through even a fraction of it! I think I'll be making another trip down!

All in all, a very Grand Day Out :)

Comments

[hadesgirl.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a wonderful day! I've always wanted to visit the Portrait Gallery, but somehow always seem to miss it when I'm in DC. I must make the effort one of these days! And the National Building Museum would be of great interest to Mikey - he loves architecture.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Both the museums are off the beaten track (i.e., not on the Mall), but well worth going out of the way for. The Building Museum especially because it is so unexpected (at least for me).

If y'all ever make it out this way, we'll go :)