Modern Perspectives at SAAM

“We the People” of the DC area are digesting what looks like a looming government shutdown. Within this political disarray, I find myself escaping to art, and thus rushing to the recently opened modern galleries at the SAAM / the Smithsonian American Art Museum to take in its new endeavors of its revitalized galleries that encompass modern and contemporary art. A renovation not only architecturally but also conceptually bringing the gathering of works of art that show unity and inclusion of all artists with various genres from paintings, sculptures to music + video installations. To fully understand art, one has to comprehend where it is stemming from — the vision, voices and perspectives of each artist with their own personal experience is evident in this carefully curated collection. If you want to see stories that exude perspective and deliver personal messages along with strong narratives then head to the modern and contemporary galleries at the SAAM which showcase art spanning from the 18th century to the present in “American Voices and Visions”. The collection presents a multitude of American art from the 1940’s to today. As I walked into the modern and contemporary galleries, I was greeted by a beacon of light by Jenny Holzer titled “For SAAM” which as you can assume from the title has been custom-made to the SAAM museum. The cylinder-shaped column of light is created from an electronic LED array with white diodes demonstrating a swirl of texts and words in constant movement. Throughout her career, Holzer’s work of the written word was created with the purpose to engage the audience in a thought provoking dialogue intending for the birth of deep thoughts. This tower of light, I feel is the best of her work since it fully engages one through light, sight, shape, text and movement to experience the sentiment of her saying, “The most profound things are inexpressible.” <a href="https://vianborchert.medium.com/modern-perspectives-at-saam-9d2c7d49067f">Click Here</a>