ANGELA B. PAN

This past Wednesday I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Roni Horn exhibit at the Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland. First of all, this space is amazing. I had no idea that such a modern museum was located in MD. As soon as I drove on to the property, I was super impressed.

The best part of the whole experience was touring the Horn exhibit. First of all, Emily Wei Rales, Director and Chief Curator of Glenstone led the tour which was so thought-provoking and interesting. I felt like I could listen to her talk all day. She explained how Horn’s art explores the idea of a person’s identity, differences between pairs and the use of words, colors and phrases to create art while being influenced by places such as Iceland. This immediately resonated with me since I just got back from Iceland and I’m already ready to go back.

The biggest take away I got from the exhibit is to be mindful and stay true to who you are as a person (whoever that may be). I really got inspired to learn more about myself, how I’m perceived by other people and to learn more about how other artists view the world. I just bought this book. Let me know if you read it. I’m really interested in reading more about current artists and how they think.  So if  you’re in the area and you’ve never been to Glenstone, it comes with my highest recommendation. I’ve already booked another ticket to go back in a couple of weeks.

You know what’s funny? If you asked me a couple of years ago, I would of never called myself an artist. I was never comfortable with the label even though I loved taking pictures. I just saw myself as someone who loved photography but as I grow and learn more, I’m beginning to feel comfortable with the identity and it feels good <3

Here’s a photo my friend, Jenn (Instagram: jennrightmeow) took of me while in Glenstone museum. I was learning so much that I felt like I had to sit down and get it all down on my phone before I forgot.

It finally happened! I went to the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum. It was so beautiful. So much more than I thought it was going to be. So let me break it down for you:

The Bad: One of the rooms was temporarily closed 🙁 Turns out someone was trying to take a selfie and broke one of the pumpkins. We were not allowed in that room and who knows how long it will be closed for. Secondly, all the other rooms were timed. We were only allowed in each for 20-30seconds. Hardly enough time to composite a descent image. I felt like I was rushed the whole time I was there. I’d love an opportunity to take my time and really be thoughtful with what I’m doing. More than that, I’d love to have time to really have it all sink in and appreciate what I’m really looking at.

The Good: Everything else!! Its hard to believe one person created such a beautiful, thought provoking exhibit. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The creativity and just pure magic of it all was so captivating. I’m really looking forward to going a couple more times before it leaves DC.

This room was unique compared to the others. It was the only room where it was light. All the others were really dark and I believe all those mushroom-y things on the bottom are made out of cotton. So in total there were 6 rooms. We were only allowed to see 5 but every single one of them have mirrored walls so it looks like you’re experiencing an infinite amount of space. Pretty cool if you ask me.

What’s also crazy is that this was my very first time inside the Hirshhorn. After this visit, it made me want to go back and see the rest of the museum. If it’s as awesome as this exhibit, I know I’m going to love it.