One of the things I LOVE about living in DC is the continual access to current art, performances, shows, lectures, and culture. 

A few weeks back, I was fortunate to visit the Ai Wei Wei exhibit “According to What?” at the Hirshhorn Museum before it left town.

Don’t know Ai Wei Wei?

Ai We Wei is a famous Chinese dissident artist who has been jailed repeatedly by the Chinese government, and whose works are censored. He’s been in the news frequently over the past few years, detained long term by Chinese authorities.

I have to admit reluctantly, when it comes to art, most of it I just don’t get.

But I found this exhibit in particular so interesting. Maybe because I’ve visited China several times or because I have lots of Chinese students, I felt a connection and understanding of several of the pieces with themes of government destruction of the environment, the use of shoddy building materials impacting safety and wellness, and other social and political issues.

One of Ai Wei’s most striking works of art is a series of zodiac animal heads displayed in a circle. The details on these are gorgeous. I would’ve gotten them all, … but it was a really COLD day.

The Hirshhorn museum also features works by other artists, including Barbara Kruger. Here are a few of my favorites.

Are you a fan of art museums? What’s the most interesting exhibit you’ve ever seen?