Repository II

Just a few more pictures of the art at the Library of Congress. Click each image to enlarge and enjoy the detail.




Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Repository

The Great Hallway in the Thomas Jefferson Building :
The Library of Congress : Capitol Hill
(Click on image to enlarge)

If America had a Sistine Chapel, the Library of Congress would be it. The LOC is made up of three buildings: the Jefferson, the Adams, and the Madison. The grandest of the three is the Jefferson. Built in 1870, the Jefferson Building features sweeping marble staircases, Italian-influenced carvings and sculpture, Renaissance art, frescoes, and mosaics that are breathtaking.

Art over doorways : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)

To learn more about this national treasure, visit the LOC's website. Wikipedia also has some good information here. Over the next few days, I'll be featuring additional pictures of the world's largest book and media repository.

Hallway : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Contests

Chattin' and chillin' at The Awakening while it was still at
Hains Point, East Potomac Park, Washington D.C.

I mentioned yesterday that I recently entered a local photo competition for amateur and professional photographers. It's been fun to visit the exhibit with family members and friends and to have people contact me for copies of my photos.

For those who are interested, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazine are both holding photography contests that are open to amateur and professional photographers from all over the globe.*

The National Geographic International Photography Contest 2008 has three categories you can enter: People, Places, and Nature.

The Smithsonian magazine's 6th Annual Photo Contest has five categories you can enter: Americana, The Natural World, People, Altered Images, and Travel.

Given the breadth of places we all live, the things we each see, and the talents we all possess, I daresay any of us could enter at least one of these two competitions with an award-worthy photo!

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

About today's picture: This is one of the first photos I took with my then-new Canon A630 last year at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. At the time, The Awakening was the park's prominent feature and had been for more than 25 years. Then the artist, J. Seward Johnson, sold his work to developer Milt Petersen for $750,000, who recently moved it to a very sterile and uninspiring spot at the uber-development Prince Georges National Harbor Complex. Sad, really, because The Awakening was a wonderful and whimsical site to see. Now, it's just a poorly exhibited possession for an egomaniac.

* Be sure to read the rules carefully. I know the National Gee contest has some restrictions and participation is prohibited in a few countries.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Ancient

Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul--
a must-see if you're in Washington, San Francisco, Houston, or New York.

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) is currently host to an amazing and exquisite exhibit. The contents of this exhibit are the result of brave men and women in Afghanistan who hid national treasures and saved them from plunder and destruction by the Soviets and the Taliban.

Afghanistan: Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul is a breathtaking exhibit of artifacts from this Silk Road nation covering a period from 100 B.C. to 100 A.D. For the next 17 months, this exhibit will travel the U.S. It is now in Washington from May 25 to September 7, 2008. Photography is not allowed in the exhibit, but trust me when I say, this is a must-see collection. The exhibit is a joint collaboration between the Government of Afghanistan, the National Geographic Society (NGS), and the NGA.

Photo of the program brochure.

I also want to give a shout out and a congratulations to my friend, Merujo, who works for the NGS. She wrote the grant proposal that made it possible for this exhibit to come to Washington, D.C. In addition to the NGA link above, be sure to check out NGS's site or listen to this report on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. And, if you can't see this exhibit while it's in Washington, San Francisco, Houston, or New York,* go to your nearest newsstand or bookstore and buy last month's edition of National Geographic magazine (it has a picture of Stonehenge on the cover.) It includes photos of these wonderful, rare treasures.

* Schedule: National Gallery of Art, May 25–September 7, 2008; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, October 24, 2008–January 25, 2009; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 22–May 17, 2009; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, June 23–September 20, 2009.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

Azaleas Galore

White azaleas are the only ones that photograph well in black and white.
As for the other two pictures, I was going for an old, washed-out, antique look with these.

Azaleas in red. The variety on the left is named "Sambo" and is a deep maroon.
This photo doesn't do it justice. (None of these do really.)

Azaleas in oranges. These were some of the most stunning specimens in the collection.
The variety on the right is named "Great Balls of Fire"!

Azaleas in purples. In the photo on the right,
the azaleas are also complimented by wooden hyacinth.

Azaleas in groupings along sunny and shaded paths.

The azalea collection at the National Arboretum is currently at peak for many of the trees and bushes. If you get a chance, make the time to visit. And for those of you with allergies, just consider this blog a public service provided for your enjoyment without all the misery!

I think this is the last of the spring color I'll be posting. Honestly, you must be sick of it already!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 4/08

Magnificence

The Library of Congress--America's de facto national library

Washington, D.C., has some stunning classical architecture, but none is grander than the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. The LOC consists of three buildings: the Thomas Jefferson, the John Adams, and the James Madison Buildings. All three buildings are bordered by Independence Avenue on at least one side. The Jefferson Building, which is the first and main library, faces the U.S. Capitol.

Neptune's Grotto--The main fountain at the Library of Congress

In 1800, the LOC was established by an Act of Congress that also transferred the federal capital from Philadelphia, Pa., to Washington, D.C. Initially, the library was meant exclusively for the use of Congress, but over time has become a source for politicians and scholars alike. The original library was housed in the Capitol, but when the British burned the city in August 1814, they also destroyed the library. After that tragedy, retired U.S. president Thomas Jefferson donated his personal library--6,487 volumes and works--and the national library was born. To read more about Jefferson's legacy, go here.

Detail of the front of the Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress

What is striking about the Thomas Jefferson Building is the ornate architecture. This is the only building in the city I can think of that is so strikingly reminiscent of the beautiful architecture found throughout Europe, it is literally breathtaking! The building is open to the public and there is a wonderful tour that features stunning mosaics. Access is available to the reading rooms, but books cannot be checked out by the general public. The Library also features exhibitions and special events throughout the year. In the James Madison Building, you can see the Gutenberg Bible! Also be sure to check out the Library's prints and photos collection.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 3/08