Smithsonian News Roundup:
>> This week the Smithsonian continued its redevelopment and got a little overdue support from government officials. Even though Congress has murmured about drastically reducing the Institution’s budget in the wake of misspending reports, President Bush proposed a $33.9 million increase for 2009 for the many repairs needed throughout the museums. Meanwhile, the National Museum of the American Indian continues its period of turmoil, as the Post reported that retired director W. Richard West Jr. didn’t just spend Smithsonian’s money lavishly, but that his travel expense added up to five times the average museum director’s. Hopefully that’s all behind the NMAI now, as its board has been meeting intently to review operations, and recently brought on some new blood with seven new board members.
Exhibition Openings:
>> The big art “must see” this week is the Japan! Culture + Hyperculture festival going on at the Kennedy Center. Events started Tuesday and will continue through Sunday, Feb. 17. There are far too many good things to mention, but we’re definitely fascinated by the avant-garde polka-dot/net artwork of Yayoi Kusama and the paper folding by Shin Tanaka, whose work in, strangely enough, toys, tennis shoes, and graffiti is internationally known. Theater lovers should check out the four very reasonably priced productions, and stop by the costume design exhibit on your way out. It wouldn’t be a Japanese exhibit without something sweet for the science geeks: architect Tadao Ando’s site-specific glass installation exhibits ideals of environmentalism and sustainability, and — yes! — robots feature prominently in no less than four exhibits, including Robotica Rising, an exhibit in Nations Gallery (you’ll have your hand shaken by robot greeters at the door). We recommend putting a full day aside to see as much as you can (much of it is free); see the full event schedule here. And that’s MOMO pictured right, the adorably cute and so-very-Japanese monkey and mascot of JAPAN!.
>> Perhaps the flip-side to the “hyperculture” going on at the Kennedy Center, the Phillips Collection brings us a fantastic exhibit from the West with Degas to Diebenkorn: The Phillips Collects. This comprehensive show includes “modern masters” like Paul Klee, William Christenberry, Ansel Adams (for those of us who just missed his Corcoran show), and Edgar Degas. DCist saw a preview of the exhibit and will have a review for you before the opening this Saturday. See their web site for ticket information.
