goSmithsonian - February 2009 - (Page 50) THE BASICS HOURS: 10 to 5:30; closed December 25. ADDRESS: Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW PHONE: 202.633.1000 (voice/tape) 202.633.5285 (TTY) WEB: asia.si.edu goSmithsonian.com METRO: Freer Gallery of Art The Freer Gallery of Art, named for Detroit industrialist Charles Lang Freer, boasts an internationally renowned collection of Asian art and is home to the world’s largest holdings of works by the American artist James McNeill Whistler. Freer became interested in Asian art through his friendship with Whistler, whose work had been strongly influenced by Japanese prints and Chinese ceramics. In 1906, Freer donated 7,500 paintings, sculptures, drawings and works in metal, lacquer and jade to the Smithsonian, along with endowment funds. Today, the collection has grown to 24,000 works. TIPS • Free tours begin at the information desk Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:15, Saturday and Sunday at 1:15, except holidays. Tours are subject to docent availability. • Check out the museum’s gallery talks featuring curators and guest speakers. Ask at the information desk for details. • Reservations are required for tour groups of ten or more, foreign language tours and sign-language interpreters. Call 202-6331012 or e-mail asiatours@si.edu. M metro ● ● Smithsonian (ORANGE AND BLUE LINES) ® A 13th-century ivory throne leg from India can be seen in the exhibition “Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas” on Level 3. Wooden Kongorikishi warriors (Japan, 11851333) can be found at either end of the corridor on the National Mall side of the building. Children take special delight in imitating the figures’ expression. • The Freer offers a rich program of Asia-related films, concerts, dance performances and lectures in the Meyer Auditorium. Pick up a calendar of these free events at the information desk, call 202-633-1000 or visit asia.si.edu. EXHIBITIONS “Winslow Homer: Four Views of Nature” (through May 25); “Golden Seams: The Japanese Art of Mending Ceramics” (through May 10); “Moonlight and Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan” (through May 10) COURTESY OF THE FREER GALLERY OF ART (2) HIGHLIGHTS In “Arts of the Islamic W orld” see a collection of brass bowls, candlesticks, folios from the Koran and other objects dating from the 9th to 17th centuries. “Japanese Screens” Folding screens are one of the most distinctive forms of Japanese 50 goSmithsonian.com http://www.asia.si.edu http://www.goSmithsonian.com http://www.asia.si.edu http://www.goSmithsonian.com
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