Explore with Me: National Gallery of Art Adventure

A Day at the Museum

The other day I took a trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Usually, I hang out in the East Building for the sunny spots to work and a yummy scoop from the gelato bar.

Today, though, I was there for an indoor stroll.

The National Gallery of Art is like a whole city inside a museum. Perfect spot for an indoor winter walk to get your steps in.

I started out in the East Building, modern architecture with modern art to match.

Eventually though, I wandered through underground walkway to the West Building. The building’s architecture feels like it was carved out during ancient Roman times.

Here’s a video I took of the outside of the museum to give you a feel for the architecture.

Exploring this half of the museum always feels like your time traveling.

Each room feels like a relic of a bygone era.

Sidenote: Can I just say how incredible it is living close to so much history? Not only does the museum have centuries old artwork on display like a DaVinci painting, the museum is also a modern day movie trivia spot.

Once I got to the West Building, I stumbled across a serene Garden Café.

This place is so large, I didn’t even know it existed. It’s definitely on my list to check out on a future trip.

Next on my stroll, I walked through a colonial furniture exhibit and took a selfie in a mirror older than the United States. Totally unexpected, but a whole mood.

Wandering through hall after hall, I landed at the entrance to a photography exhibit:

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now, this exhibit was so insightful, an exploration in itself.

Many photographers and photo subjects were diverse. It was empowering to see so many people in marginalized groups photographed with dignity and artistry.

I didn’t realize until walking through this exhibit that many journalistic photos I see of diverse people from that time are moments of distress and conflict.

It was such a refreshing look into the past getting to be there amongst everyday people, to hear their stories, and witness their lives.

This line in the panel above really stood out to me.

Photographers—especially from Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities—reclaimed documentary practice to represent the fullness of their lives.

Deeper parts of the exhibit showed how these documentary photographers work began to represent the era.

They experimented with new color technology, art styles, and subject matter to capture their world.

From their work, we can get a better look into the times and understand what life was like for everyday people like us.

It’s amazing how art sparks conversations.

I stopped and chatted with a security guard in the exhibit. He shared his favorite piece and the deeper meaning behind it.

Looking at it, it’s a photo of forest greenery. Seeing it from the guard’s point of view, I could appreciate the color and contrast techniques the artist used to capture the nature scene.

Things that we take for granted, a snapshot of green grass and trees was a more rare find only a few decades ago.

Talk about feeling inspired. This exhibit helped me realize that all the little ways we like to capture our lives are meaningful.

A photo you take today will eventually represent the style and technology of the 2020s.

Even my mirror selfie, donning a kn95 mask and holding a current phone will eventually be a closer look into what life was like today.

Here’s a link to 70s exhibit, so you can see some of its featured works.

(If you’re in the area, the exhibit will be here until April 6th)

Leaving this exhibit, I was on my way to seeing DaVinci’s painting when suddenly it hit me…my parking was going to expire soon!

I was so deep into the halls of history and art, it almost completely slipped my mind that my museum stroll had a time limit.

Leaving the museum was like what I imagine it would feel like to leave Narnia.

I worked my way backwards through the halls: Past the colonial furniture and Garden Café, through the underground walkway, up the stairs, through the modern art, and back outside into the frigid winter air.

And that was that, my visit to the National Gallery of Art. Filled with new knowledge and more steps on my Fitbit, I headed home.

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Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this more casual, journal post. If you loved it, let me know and I can make this a series.