Monday, December 30, 2024

Star Power

I walked over to the Smithsonian Portrait Museum to check out Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell (March 1, 2024 - January 4, 2026). I love photos and movies, so this exhibit felt tailor-made for me. The only downside is that the space is small, holding only 22 classic photographs you can browse using the link below (each with a remarkable story to tell), but it is worth visiting if you happen to be in the area.


Pictures of Belonging

I stopped by the Smithsonian Museum of American Art to spend time going through a new exhibit: Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and MinĂ© Okubo (November 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025). Their beautiful work reflected the turmoil of Executive Order 9066 that dislocated and interned anyone of Japanese descent during World War II, their journeys away from home, and their artistic successes.  

I was particularly drawn to Hisako Hibi. As I entered each new space, I gravitated to her artwork without even knowing who drew what when I entered the room. While imprisoned for three years at Topaz, she produced over 100 drawings of her observations, but I saw bright hope in her later works. Incredible resiliency and talent. 

Photo Album: Pictures of Belonging