I was hungry for some inspiration this past week and decided to break from my routine, play hooky and hit a local museum.  I walked through the National Gallery’s East Wing on Wednesday – one of the many world class museums that just happen to be in my ‘hood – and soaked up the amazing collection of modern sculpture they have on display.  Giacometti, Calder, Bertoia … delicious.

An enormous mobile by Calder hovers above the light filled central space.

Artist Richard Long assembled rough cut blocks of slate to form an elegant circle on the main floor.  A guard stands watch for those visitors tempted to disturb the work.

 

Diana and a Hound realized in bronze by Paul Manship in 1925.

  

A view of Ursula von Rydingsvard’s work Five Cones from afar … and up close.

 

A massive, seemingly lightweight sculpture perched on a ledge.

  

The Invisible Object (Hands Holding the Void) by Giacometti.  Brilliant, always.

  

Basalt sculpture by Isamu Noguchi.

Bertoia – the famous furniture designer started as a sculptor.

An installation creates drama through the repetition of hundreds of photograph-like plaster pieces.

Moisture as sculpture.  Incredible.

  

Three Motives Against Wall, Number 1

Henry Moore, 1958

 

Capricorn by Max Ernst

A massive, somewhat monstrous interpretation of family and sexual politics by the German artist.

  

Another Giacometti takes stride on the mezzanine.

 

The perfect departure from the east wing — via moving walkway surrounded by a complex, pulsating light sculpture.

Multiverse, by American Artist Leo Villareal

 

Tricia xo

* Please note, the East Wing is currently under renovation and sections of the museum are closed to the public.