Beyond an Audubon Era - The Singing and the Silence: Birds in Contemporary Art

While artists have historically created images of birds for the purposes of scientific inquiry, taxonomy or spiritual symbolism, the artists featured in The Singing and the Silence instead share a common interest in birds as inspiration for exploring man's own earthbound existence. The nearly 50 artworks on display examine mankind's evolving relationship with the natural world and the ways in which birds symbolize human impulses to both conquer and conserve nature. The exhibition's title is drawn from the poem The Bird at Dawn by Harold Monro.

Walton Ford, Falling Bough

Walton Ford, Falling Bough, 2002, watercolor, gouche, pencil and ink on paper, private collection. Image courtesy of the artist and Paul Kasmin Gallery

A number of artists will travel to the museum to install their artworks personally, including Berwick, Coyne and Prosek. Behind-the-scenes views of these installations will be available on the museum’s website. Berwick’s cast crystal sculpture, Untitled (Blue), will be on public display for the first time as part of the exhibition, as will a temporary, site-specific mural created by Prosek for the entrance of the exhibition space.

Free Public Programs

A series of free public programs is organized to complement the exhibition. Prosek will discuss the installation of his mural in a gallery talk Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. in advance of the exhibition opening. The 21st Century Consort, the museum’s ensemble in residence, will present a selection of music inspired by birds Saturday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. Marsh will lead a gallery talk Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. The film Curious Worlds: The Art & Imagination of David Beck will be screened Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A period with Beck and film’s director, Olympia Stone. Further details about programs are available on the museum’s calendar, americanart.si.edu/calendar.

Connecting Online

The museum has created an 'indoor birding' social media challenge that encourages finding, sharing and discussing depictions of birds in works of art. Beginning in the fall, submissions can be posted to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArtBirds, a selection of which will be reshared by the museum.

Laurel Roth Hope, Regalia, mixed media including fake fingernails, nail polish, barrettes, false eyelashes, jewelry, Swarovski crystal, and walnut base, 63 x 40 x 22 in. Private Collection © Laurel Roth Hope. Image courtesy of the artist and Gallery Wendi Norris

A slide show of selected artworks in the exhibition will be available on the museum’s website, americanart.si.edu/birds. Behind-the-scenes insights about the exhibition will be published on the museum's blog, Eye Level, at eyelevel.si.edu. The public may also follow the museum for exhibition updates on Twitter by following @americanart and using #ArtBirds, Facebook at facebook.com/americanart, Pinterest at pinterest.com/americanartpin and Instagram at instagram.com/americanartmuseum, or by subscribing to the museum’s email list at americanart.si.edu/visit/enews.

About the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the vision and creativity of Americans with artworks in all media spanning more than three centuries. Its National Historic Landmark building is located at Eighth and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Museum hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. Follow the museum on Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Flickr, iTunes U and ArtBabble. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000. Website: americanart.si.edu.

Pages: 1 · 2

Culture and Arts, History, Travel, Senior Women Web, Articles, Sightings, What's New Add comments

Beyond an Audubon Era - The Singing and the Silence: Birds in Contemporary Art

More Articles