Art has a way of transforming public space into something special. If you ask me, I’d love to see a lot more art in public spaces, but somehow we don’t really see it that often – especially not in Asia.
The national gallery of art in Washington, one of the world’s most visited art museums, hasn’t neglected that aspect of art. Just next to the museum is a wonderful sculpture garden park that’s a real pleasure to walk around…
Designed to offer year-round enjoyment to the public in one of the preeminent locations on the National Mall, the National Gallery Sculpture Garden includes seventeen works from the Gallery’s growing collection as well as loans for special exhibitions.
Installations include Claes Oldenburg’s Typewriter Eraser, Scale X (model 1998, fabricated 1999), and Joan Miró’s Personnage Gothique, Oiseau-Eclair (1974, cast 1977), as well as new acquisitions.
Located in the 6.1-acre block adjacent to the West Building, the elegant yet informal Garden includes new plantings of native American species of canopy trees, flowering trees, shrubs, ground covers, and perennials. A fountain, which serves as an ice rink in winter, is at the center of the Garden, and walking and seating areas offer visitors a chance to rest and reflect on the works on view. The Pavilion Café offers year-round café service, along with indoor seating. The Sculpture Garden is enclosed by a decorative metal fence with marble piers and plinths, designed to reflect the historic character of the West Building. There are six public entryways to the Sculpture Garden, and it is accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Let’s take a short tour of the garden sculptures…
The garden also surrounds a lovely large fountain…
So, overall, a great place to chill down from the nearby Washington mall tour.
Ofcourse, if you’re already there, be sure to visit the museum nearby. You won’t regret it.