August 19, 2021
About fifteen miles outside Washington DC in Potomac, Maryland is the Glenstone art museum. With a collection of around 1,300 works from post-World War II artists, it is the largest private contemporary art museum in the United States. On a muggy late afternoon we strolled the extensive grounds with our friends Kelly and Kevin. Unfortunately, the new museum complex, called the Pavilions, was not open, so we could enter what looked to be an incredible architectural space.
However, we did manage to escape the heat for a while inside the Gallery, the museum’s first building. Designed by Charles Gwathmey and opened in 2006, it is constructed of zinc, granite, and stainless steel and has beautiful teak doors and windows.
Inside, we saw an amazing retrospective of the works of African-American artist, Faith Ringgold. Unfortunately, photography was prohibited of the exhibit so we can’t show you any of Ringgold’s stunning works here, but we encourage you to check out her art online. Or better still, if you live nearby, visit the exhibit. But be quick, we think that it ends some time in October. Outside the gallery were two beautiful water filled marble sculptures by Felix Gonzalez-Torres.
We went for a walk through the museum’s extensive wooded grounds.
Along the way we saw some incredible sculpture, including a couple of Richard Serra sculptures, easily identifiable in his trademark rust red iron.
And three stone cottages built by Andy Goldsworthy that had surprising clay interiors.
We also liked this sculpture by Charles Ray
And looked down into this installation by Michael Heizer, called Compression Line, supposedly because the weight of the soil surrounding the trench compresses it into a narrow gash.
We passed a large piece by Tony Smith that was shining black in the rain that had started to fall.
Last, but definitely not least we passed by this large whimsical statue by Jeff Koons. It’s made of living flowers that are changed regularly.
With the rain getting heavier, we headed back to the car.
As we headed back we caught a last glimpse of the Pavilions, and made a note to return when they are open.
Mal and Lauren 