Tuesday, June 3

dc: on the beach


We finally made it to DC. After getting caught in a storm that warranted a tornado warning and resulted in sopping wet jeans (who likes wet jeans, up to the thigh?) C and I decided to check out this cool Richard Misrach exhibit called "On the Beach" at the National Gallery.

Like most art I "experience," my first reaction was simply in response to the way these photographs look: colorful and seriously huge with such interesting subject matter and composition. Misrach took to Hawaii, got himself a room with a balcony and ocean views and snapped photos of people floating in the ocean or lounging on the beach. None of the shots include the typical horizon/sunset line. I love overhead shots.

Then I read about how Misrach wanted to study the fragility of the human figure post-Sept. 11 and looking at the photos in this light actually made it all the more interesting. Read about it here.

See the exhibit here. But I'm sorry to say it's cooler in person. :)

p.s. That rainstorm also ruined one of the two pairs of shoes that I brought with me. Anyone have a favorite shoe store in DC? I have the perfect excuse to go shopping.

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25 comments:

lauracrow said...

oh ali! thigh high wet jeans! yuck. sorry, i don't know of any good shoe stores...but, what better way to discover the area....by looking for new kicks! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this. These images are amazing. Knowing the thoughts behind them make it even more incredible.

Sarah said...

Congrats on making it safely (albeit a little wet!). Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures in a new city :)

Anonymous said...

i love these photos! when i lived in adams morgan, there were two good shoe stores - wild women wear red and shake your booty. if you're in the neighborhood (and it's worth a visit) you might try those...

KELLY said...

wow...love these shots! sorry about your shoes : (

Unknown said...

those photos are wonderful.

*L said...

stumbled accross your blog and love it!

swell.life said...

the overhead shots are fabulous. am wishing i was there {on the beach, or even just at the exhibit}!

Joanna Goddard said...

beautiful! love these. xo

Kirsten said...

I'm in DC right now, too. Go to the Hirshorn, if you haven't already. The whole second story is out of commission, waiting for the final touches on an exhibit, but the building is gorgeous, like a grayer, simpler Guggenheim, but with a glorious fountain in the middle.

Lacey Jane said...

Love that first shot! Hope you're trip's going well and that you find new shoes!

Ms. Spinach said...

yay! welcome! we will have to meet up when you're settled. i've been wanting to see that show, so thanks for the head's up! in turn, i recommend the saarinen retrospective at the national building museum.

i buy all my shoes online. but cusp in g'town has a pretty big selection.

Lane said...

I love what you noticed about these photos: they're unrecognizable as HI because of the angle. Great observation. And awesome pics!

dee said...

These are spectacular. I'm jealous! I think the bottom is my fave.

Joslyn said...

DC has the best museums...lucky! these are amazing.

have fun.

meghann said...

Shoefly in Clarendon always delivers with inexpensive and a little quirky goods.

Anonymous said...

shoe box in bethesda
sassanova in georgetown

check out the national portrait gallery and mus. of american art
in chinatown - have lunch/dinner at zaytinya or jaleo

Anonymous said...

oooh! on connecticut ave, across the street from the woodley park metro stop is "Carbon". it is seriously the best shoe store ever.

WPZ - Sandy said...

OooOOoO you're in DC? Is this where you are moo-ving? Velcommen velcommen, I'm newish here myself, would be so cool to possibly someday meet you (although I haven't been reading your blog too-too long but I do enjoy it!)

Michelle said...

yowzers, glad you finally made it, these photos are great, makes me want to run to the beach right now, like exactly right now. I want to see those shoes...

Stephanie said...

Beautiful images...I'm not surprised though--DC is loaded with amazing galleries and museums. I interned there a long time ago and my favorites were:

The Corcoran Gallery
The Phillips Collection
African Art Museum at Smithsonian

Have a great time! What a fun time in your life it will be--living in a cool city (on a budget!), exploring the fantastic culture, etc. I miss those days in our life all the time. Enjoy it while you can!

Stephanie said...

P.S. The Hirschorn is fabulous too (especially the outdoor sculpture garden)

P.P.S. Magnolia Cupcakes on Oneity? Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, I love overhead shots too.

Sara Christine said...

Ooo I saw these Misrach photos in Chicago several months ago and was really taken with them. The size of the pieces coupled with the subject matter was really stunning. It's always nice to be reminded of a moving art experience!

Stacy said...

These photos are fabulous.