A Visit To The Hirshhorn Art Museum, June 29, 2013

I've covered this museum before, but luckily, they frequently change their exhibits so there is always something new to see.  

Andy Warhol original.

Andy Warhol original, but this one is an original OF Andy Warhol, BY someone else!

An old antiquated medium, rarely found in this day and age.  This roll of film was on the floor of an exhibit representing some crazy thing (Some art is very strange!), but I thought it looked really cool all by itself......

This dog was about 6 feet tall laying down!  Would have been  10 or more standing.  Luckily he wasn't real!!!!!

My favorite shot of the day.  There are 80 of these poster prints, each a different combination of three colors.  I really liked the way the light from the flash only went so far and the rest faded into darkness, in stark contrast to the bright colors of the canvases.

This room is all sayings, all over....

One last parting shot.  Marble and Metal.

There's More to DC than..........

I wanted to get some shots of areas of DC I haven't really covered a lot.  There are a couple of the regular touristy areas here, but mostly these pics will be of sights regularly unseen on the average visit.

The National City Christian Church with the Luther Place Memorial Church in the background.  DC is full of great old churches. 

Case in point, this shot was taken from the Reagan National Airport Metro platform.  The National Cathedral dominates the horizon, yet it is actually almost 8 miles away!!!   (Here's more photos from the National Cathedral, http://so-i-think-im-a-photographer-now.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-trip-through-washington-national.html) 

Control Tower at Reagan.  These guys have gotten me safely home many times!

You can stand on the Metro platform and get a great view of planes landing.

Smithsonian Castle.  One of the oldest structures on the Mall.

Looking East on Constitution from 14th.  EPA, IRS and DOJ in the distance.

On 13th NW between K and L is the DC Firehouse, home of Engine 16. 

I've put up some shots of these call boxes in the past, but I've never seen one in this condition.  These were what the police and firemen used to call their respective stations years ago before radios.  There are still remnants all throughout the city. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DCFD-Engine16-Tower3-The-Midnight-Express/495342287172876

AKA, Midnight Express. 

She was organizing the dirt and leaves around the trees along the sidewalk.

Well, it IS DC.......

St. Johns Episcopal Church across from Lafayette Square and the White House.

OK, I couldn't help it, there are a couple touristy shots in here!!!

Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building from Pennsylvania Ave.

One of four Fleur de lis topiaries in the Enid A. Haupt Garden, East of the Smithsonian Castle.

Looking across the train tracks near L'Enfant Plaza towards the Capitol Dome. 

One Million Bones On The National Mall

I was walking across the National Mall the other day when I found myself dodging bones.  Bones everywhere!  I've seen many things in DC, but nothing like this.....

Seems they were part of the One Million Bones project who's mission is to raise awareness of genocides and crises occurring in Sudan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia.

One Million Bones was launched In 2010 and resulted in 1,000,000 bones being spread across Washington DC's National Mall in early June, 2013, in remembrance of genocide victims and survivors, and to raise awareness of the issue.

I got to walk through this!  I can't take credit for this shot.  It's from http://www.onemillionbones.org/ where you can find out more about this project.

Also, check out http://theartofrevolution.org/ for more info

Hashtag #onemillionbones on Twitter will lead to many more pics.

Piles of bones...........

June 8, 2013, at The Supreme Court. Red Duct Tape on The Mouth. What does it mean?

Life

The Supreme Court as it undergoes renovation.

I always say one of the most amazing things about Washington DC is that you never know what you will experience.   Case in point; we happened upon this gathering today at The Supreme Court.  Didn't know what it was at first, but anytime people are exercising their rights for something they believe in, I'm intrigued, whether their beliefs end up being my own or not.  

Turns out these are participants of a 'Silent Siege' on the steps of the Supreme Court.  The Pro-Life group notes this is not a protest, but a prayer meeting. 

So what does the Red Tape mean?  The Bound4life website states: "When LIFE is written on a piece of red tape and placed over our mouths, we are identifying with the silence of the pre-born who have no voice to defend themselves. In that place of weakness, prayerlessness is no longer an option. Hearts become tender and broken toward this unthinkable tragedy. A sense of urgency grows within."

How long could you keep duct tape on your mouth?  I don't think I could do it all day.

No matter what your politics are, the fact that we have the right to do this when, in many other countries, the penalties for speaking your mind can be severe or even deadly-- is awesome! 

Can't wait to see what we'll experience on our next visit...