DARKER VIBES AT THE DC SCULPTURE PARK
After visiting the cheery Citygarden in St. Louis & Indianapolis, I surprisingly found a small sculpture garden with a playfully dark tone at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington DC. The designs are more abstract and themes minimal. But what’s with this creepy bunny sculpture? Let’s take a closer look!
wHERE TO FIND IT
This sculpture park opened in 1999, covering 6 acres among 21 sculptures. Located on the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 7th St. NW and open daily from 10am-5pm (up to 7pm in the summer). This park feels more tucked into a pocket in between the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It’s also across the street from the National Archive. Perfect to see before or after a visit to another museum. I personally visited as I waited for the FBI Tour at the nearby Hoover Building.
It’s smaller than most sculpture parks, and there’s less landscaping so the artwork is more on display than other gardens. You can always see the edges of the park and see the surrounding buildings and streets. More of a sculpture to walk through than stay at for hours. One great thing about this park is there is plenty of benches, especially in the center where the large fountain is located. Lots and lots of space for several large groups to sit. There’s also a café on-site with a limited food menu.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCULPTURE PARK
Sculptures and its themes are more abstract. In contrast with most sculpture gardens, the National Gallery is aiming for interesting rather than gleeful. Like this one that features chairs stacked on each other at an angle. The message isn’t as obvious nor are there strong emotions and moods attached to this one. I think it’s meant to be enjoyed in groups and perhaps inspire conversations and brainstorming.
A more playful abstract sculpture is this seemingly chaotic piece. Underlying theme is a bit of a head scratcher but resembles someone’s ragefully doodling into a ball of disarray. Whether they’re signifying chaos or endless possibilities of our thoughts, it’s comes off more cartoonish to me personally.
But another sculpture seems to give out a creepy vibe without trying is this quiet piece.
Personnage Gothique, Oiseau-Éclair by Joan Miro
From a distance, and even quickly glancing at pictures, I originally thought it was disembodied hands holding an old-fashioned camera. And it appears there’s a little bird, maybe a fish, on top of the camera. It makes me think of old-style cameras with the light bulb flash on top. Looking closer, it’s less clear if this is the case. This bronze sculpture was created in 1974 by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro, who was also a painter.
Either way, the sculpture has an eerie feeling to it.
Spider by Louise Bourgeois
Created in 1996, this bronze sculpture of a spider keeps up with creepy vibes theme. This giant dark spider appears on guard, its jagged legs in all directions. Even better, you can also catch the spider if you happen to be sitting on a bench facing the fountain. I was taking a rest for a few minutes, enjoying the sound of the fountain, surrounded by the landscaping of trees and bushes. I look over my shoulder and there it was. Almost as if it was playfully tucked into the landscaping.
A fun surprise for me and I immediately turned my head all around, wondering if I can spot other sculptures. That’s the great thing about sculpture parks. Sculptures are on display, but a good park will have different views of the same sculptures being tucked into the environment.
Thinker on a Rock by Barry Flanagan
One of the most interesting sculptures must be Thinker on a Rock. This is referencing the classic sculpture Thinker by Rodin (you’ve seen this sculpture, trust me). However, the rabbit throws things for a loop. At first glance, it made me think of the creepy man in the rabbit costume in the film Donnie Darko.
Created in 1997, the subject is surprisingly somber in tone. Up close, the rabbit’s face is serious despite the fact of it being a rabbit being ridiculous. Alone on a rock, maybe a rabbit was chosen since always being on the move and being fairly quick is usually associated with this animal. They’re now taking it slow, on a rock, pensive. Large ears showing the need to listen. Or…maybe it’s Rodin…but with a rabbit.
It’s strange that the image isn’t meant to be comedic. I found the unnatural stance of this animal to give a bit of a creepy vibe, seeing something outside its normal form or behavior. It’s definitely a sculpture you want to figure out but will need a couple strolls to build a theory.
Of course, you’ll be seeing the usual sights of abstract and geometric sculptures on the pathways.
Seasonal Surprises: Jazz, Ice Skating, and Tours
Alongside the art, there are jazz concerts in the summers bring the crowds. And figure skating in the winter bring in the families. The ice-skating rink at that location was a popular winter attraction long before the creation of the sculpture park.
The change in season might provide a different perspective on the sculptures. A great park to visit year-round.
But if you’re looking for more information of the art, there are docent-led 1-hour tours seasonally April through June on Fridays and Saturdays. According to the website, this is free, and no reservations are requirement. Just meet at the café for the listed times, dependent on weather.
So, will you be taking a visit?
