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07 March 2014

The Dying Gaul will only be at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. until March 16 before returning to Rome.[More:]

I went today. If you don't live in or plan to travel to Rome, and if you do live in or near Washington D.C., it's worth taking a look.

Seeing a photo in a book or even a video of a sculpture doesn't really convey its presence. I'm really glad I had a chance to go for a look.

I also saw a fine Garry Winogrand photography exhibit. I think my favorite was a photo of several girls sitting on a park bench at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

It's nice to see photo shows where they're blown up bigger than in a book or on a screen, though I wish these prints were bigger (also I thought the contrast was a bit too high on some, but who am I to say?).

At the Sackler Museum of Asian Art was a very interesting exhibit of famous items used in Japanese tea ceremony. Well, it was very interesting to me; my dad zipped through and found a comfortable bench while I stood engrossed by diary excerpts of 16th Century tea masters and slowly unfolding chanoyu videos.

Aside from The Dying Gaul, what I most enjoyed today was a short film at the Hirshhorn Museum by Santiago Sierra and Jorge Galindo of a parade of sorts in Madrid, called Los Encargados [Those In Charge]. The last link is to the full video, which I really recommend watching fullscreen at 1080p with the sound turned up. It was great to see projected on a big wall.

Have you taken in any art, music, or film recently that you thought was really special?
Wow. How close could you get to that sculpture?

I haven't been to see any art recently, & I miss how it makes me feel closer to my folks, especially my mom.
posted by chewatadistance 07 March | 19:17
You can walk right up to it. I crouched down below his face to look up from probably ten inches away. His hair and moustache are awesome: it's unusual to see a moustache and long unkempt hair on a Roman statue. The fingers and toes are amazing too.

My dad's been working as a docent at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, giving tours mostly to schoolchildren, so going to the Smithsonian with him is always fun and informational. Sometimes it's too informational but that's because I'm his son and he's my dad and sometimes it's just been 42 years of too much listening.

It's still a lot of fun, though.
posted by Hugh Janus 07 March | 20:16
The website mentions 'a celebration of the human spirit'. I guess 'gloating at the defeat of a conquered people' is less refined.
Unfortunately we don't know the colour of his hair and eyes. Looking at the deep set eyes/ overarching brow and prominent nose he looks like a lot of Dutch guys I know.

Wonderful opportunity to see something from the 2nd century up close. If you're ever in the opportunity to visit Rome you really should.

I recognise the thing about your dad. I love my old father. But some of his informational tellings I've been hearing for 45 years. Makes me wonder what my daughter will roll her eyes at when she's older...
posted by jouke 07 March | 23:17
It was amazing to see something so realistic, dynamic, and naturalistic from the 2nd Century. YOu can totally see the through-line to 15th century rediscovery of the form.
posted by The Whelk 09 March | 16:45
Friday Question || Any opinions on Knausgaard?

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