Song 1 @ Hirshhorn

As a reminder to myself - and anyone else who might be interested in this - Doug Aitken's Song 1 is still on view nightly at the Hirshhorn through May 20. The Washington Post approved recently of its extension by another week. (It was originally set to end on May 13.)



Geeta Dayal, moreover, in an April 18 review for Wired was also full of high praise for Song1: "Wrapping the outside of a circular building in seamless 360-degree video projections took some work. But with Song 1, artist Doug Aitken transforms the drab concrete exterior of the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., into a one-of-a-kind audiovisual spectacle."

(Let's just overlook her use of the word "drab" in this context - native Washingtonians do not like to hear "drab" applied to any structure within, or aspect of, their city. We get a little sensitive about stuff like that.) 

Friends of mine who have checked this out say it's pretty cool. Aitken projects film clips and images on to the Hirshhorn, using the circular outer shell of this modern art museum as a movie screen of sorts.

"The Hirshhorn 360-degree projection is a new form of film ... one that defies categorization." - Doug Aitken

So now this spectacle is still on view every night through May 20 after the sun sets (my favorite time of day - I have always loathed mornings and loved nights).

Among the "related events" listed on the museum's website, there is a funky Happening tonight (Friday, May 11) from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Hirshhorn featuring live performances. (You can buy $25 tickets to this Happening here.)