The Box in a Valise, 1963 (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden)
This exhibition of over 50 major historical artworks, including more than 35 seminal works by Duchamp, marks the Hirshhorn as one of the largest public holdings of Duchamp in the nation.
The collection shows the trajectory of Duchamp’s work during the opening decades of the 20th century, and explores his interest and influence on the the plastic arts, that inspired significant developments in painting and sculpture.
It also showcases Duchamp’s archetypal readymades, including Hat Rack, Comb, With Hidden Noise, and Why Not Sneeze? These pieces embody Duchamp’s then-radical idea that an artist’s ideas are more important than the craft or aesthetics. “Duchamp is the ultimate in art,” said Hirshhorn director Melissa Chiu, “because it is about the concept – it is about the artist’s idea.” The collection “allows us to build a very different conceptual art narrative,” she said.
Also featured are works by Duchamp’s contemporaries and those he influenced including Diane Arbus, Irving, Penn, Man Ray, Tristan Tzara, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, and others.
General Information
- Meet your Smithsonian Associates Rep by the Information Desk inside the Independence Ave entrance, no later than listed start time.
- While there is metered street parking and several parking lots and garages near the museum, space is limited, your best bet is using METRO.
