The Sculpture Garden of the Hirshhorn Museum in the US capital Washington reopened to the public on October 31, following a development project lasting more than four years. Designed by Japanese artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto, the open-air art space combines modern and contemporary sculptural works with elements of nature and architecture.
Located within the Smithsonian Institution’s museum complex near the National Mall in Washington, the garden features works by artists from different generations and movements. These include Henry Moore’s "King and Queen," works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin, and contemporary additions, most notably a large vertical swimming pool sculpture.
Design Interacting with Visitors
Sugimoto began the garden’s visual experience by treating its lower entrance, using stainless steel plates that reflect distorted images of visitors that change as they move through the space. The reflections align with children’s eye level as they advance along the path, a design that encourages visitors to interact with the space rather than merely observing the displayed works.
Trees, flowers, and shaded areas are distributed throughout the garden, alongside a reflecting pool and a platform designated for artistic performances. Inclined paths were also added to facilitate movement for wheelchair users, thereby enhancing accessibility to various parts of the garden.
Sculpture Weighing 25 Tons
Among the most prominent new works is "It" by the Danish-Norwegian artistic duo Elmgreen and Dragset. This metal sculpture, inspired by the shape of a swimming pool, stands vertically at a height of 28 feet and weighs up to 55,000 pounds, approximately 25 tons.
Transferring the work to Washington, shipping it, and installing it required special equipment, including a crane with an operational capacity of 300 tons, according to museum officials. The artists explained that the inspiration drawn from a swimming pool relates to its symbolism of community participation, meeting, and making public space available to everyone.
Works from Sculpture History
The eastern side of the garden retains a collection of modern bronze sculptures, including works by Barbara Hepworth and Henri Matisse, as well as Henry Moore’s "King and Queen," created between 1952 and 1953, depicting a man and a woman sitting side by side on a bench.
These works are adjacent to sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including "The Burghers of Calais," which depicts six citizens of the French city of Calais during the Hundred Years' War. It is considered one of the most prominent sculptural works displayed in the garden.
The reopening of the garden reflects a trend toward combining historical art collections with contemporary commissions within a public space accessible to visitors. This ensures that the experience of viewing sculpture is not limited to museum galleries but extends to interacting with the works and their surrounding environment.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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