goSmithsonian - June 2008 - (Page 52)

THE BASICS HOURS: 10 to 5:30; closed December 25. ADDRESS: 950 Independence Avenue, SW PHONE: 202.633.1000 (voice/tape) 202.633.5285 (TTY) WEB: africa.si.edu METRO: National Museum of African Art The National Museum of African Art is home to the largest publicly held collection of contemporary African art in the United States, as well as the famous Walt DisneyTishman African Art Collection of more than 525 pieces of the finest traditional African sculpture. The three-level underground museum on the National Mall features textiles, household objects, architectural elements, decorative arts and musical instruments. Its diverse collection is drawn from many of Africa’s more than 900 cultures. M metro ● ● Smithsonian (ORANGE AND BLUE LINES) HIGHLIGHTS: MOST RARE:A15th-century hunting horn from Sierra Leone (at left), in “ African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection” on Level 1, is one of only three extant to be attributed to this unknown artist. MOST SINGULAR:ACameroon male figure (below), located on Level 1, is the only one of its kind. The sculpture, possibly depicting an Isu kingdom king who reigned in the late 18th century, holds his See contemporary enemy’s head in one hand African art as well as the and a cutlass in the other. works of the continent’s ancient masters. ® MOST SURPRISING: Check out the museum’s collection of contemporary artwork; note the subtlety of form and color in Reduced Angled Spouted Black Piece 1990 (above) by Kenya’s Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo in the streetlevel pavilion. MOST AMAZING: A16th-century Y oruba armlet (top) from Nigeria on Level 1, is carved from a single piece of ivory. EXHIBITIONS: “El Anatsui: Gawu” (through Sept. 2); “Treasures 2008” (through Aug. 24); “TxtStyles” (through Dec. 8). A 15th-century ivory horn from Sierra Leone depicts the royal crests of Portugal and Spain, indicating it was made for export to Europe. Likely depicting a powerful king, the figure strikes a threatening pose. 52 www.goSmithsonian.com FRANKO KHOURY (4) PLEASE NOTE: Drawing materials, such as pencils or conté crayons, are permitted. Photographs may be taken in the permanent collections but not in the temporary exhibitions. http://africa.si.edu http://www.goSmithsonian.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of goSmithsonian - June 2008

goSmithsonian - June 2008 Contents Visitor Information Smithsonian Institution Building—The Castle The S. Dillon Ripley International Gallery Dining Guide Donald W. Reynolds Center Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery National Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Discovery Theater, SITES, Folklife Festival and more National Museum of American History Map of the National Mall National Museum of Natural History National Museum of the American Indian Arthur M. Sackler Gallery/Asian Art Freer Gallery of Art/Asian and American Art Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden/Contemporary and Modern Art National Museum of African Art Renwick Gallery/American Art National Postal Museum Anacostia Community Museum National Zoological Park

goSmithsonian - June 2008

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