Two new shows opened yesterday on the second floor of the Hirshhorn Museum, and an unexpected ice day offered the perfect chance to go see them. Refract, Reflect, Project brings together a few rooms worth of light works from the museum’s collection, some more recent and some classics. The most striking work was an installation by the Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, whose The weather project transformed the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern in 2003….

Happy Friday, folks. Like we’ve said, enjoy the weather this weekend, eventhough there will be some rain tomorrow. FRIDAY: >> Since we were shamed about omitting them in our January music round-up, let’s make sure to tell you: punk rockers Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are playing the Black Cat. Except, oops — looks like it’s sold out. Sorry. We suck. >> MCCXXIII is donating 100 percent of the proceeds raised at a benefit…

Even though one of Dan Flavin’s light sculptures is clearly in view to those outside on Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Gallery will scold you if you attempt to take photos of Flavin’s light from inside … even if it is with a crappy 1.5 megapixel cameraphone. That’s what a DCist reader informed us over the weekend, sending the clandestine photo to us. It is art, but it’s not the Sistine Chapel either, with camera…

Anyone who has been by the National Gallery of Art’s East Building at night has probably noticed an eerie light shining from all angles of the I.M. Pei-designed structure. This DCist photo may make you wonder what’s going on inside. It’s not a radioactive substance; it’s not an artistic statement pushing the Green Party agenda at the foot of a bi-partisan Capitol Hill. It’s the work of the late artist Dan Flavin, who revolutionized…