Over, Under, Next

A few weeks ago, we went to see "Over, Under, Next: Experiments in Mixed Media 1913-Present" at the Hirshhorn. Normally, I'm not able to take photos in most exhibitions, but since most of the works in this particular exhibition came from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection, I was a happy snapper all day. Here are a few highlights:

Flower Overcoat, Yayoi Kusama

Medici Princess, Joseph Cornell

Aviary with Parrot and Drawers, Joseph Cornell

?, Joseph Cornell (Anyone know the title of this one? Can't remember.)

Buddha of Las Cruces (detail), Terry Allen

Fish, Alexander Calder

Peter studying Stalingrad (Victory in the East) by Hans Richter

Untitled, Doris Salcedo

Ruth Szowie, Ray Johnson

From Continent to Continent, Mario Merz

Soundsuit, Nick Cave

This Way In, Jim Hodges

Yours truly looking through Damien Hirst's The Asthmatic Escaped II

I was happy to see a lot of my favorite artists represented in this collection, including many who aren't pictured here. I have such a soft spot for collage, assemblage, found object, and mixed-media art in general. It's like the best mix of artistic talent and creativity combined with a bit of the unexpected, a dash of happenstance that makes each piece unique. And when put in context of the history of art, works like these are nothing short of revolutionary.

The exhibition runs until September 8, and it's definitely worth checking out if you're in town. I should mention, though, that a large part of the 3rd floor of the Hirshhorn will be closed all summer due to budget cuts (fewer security guards) thanks to sequestration. Bummer. There's still a lot to see, though, in the lower levels.

And as always, I encourage you to seek out art exhibitions in your town too; you'll be happy you did. :)