#Artgasm at the @Smithsonian Freer & Sackler Galleries + the incomparable @DarrenWaterston

The Freer is closed for remodeling, which was a bummer because this little architect really wanted to see the renown Peacock Room.

This delightful gallery has to be my favorite. I love it's takes on Iranian art, contemporary works, and mosaics.

However, it's sister gallery, Sackler saved the day with it's extraordinary exhibit ReMix: Darren Wattersons Filthy Lucre, which re-envisions the demise of the room, and Whistler's exquisite original painting from the real Peacock Room, the Porcelain Princess, is on view.

pics of the real Peacock Room

and more by Patterson...
 

Double bonus is the exquisitely simple  Red by Mark Rothko, which allows you to contemplate a Ming Dynasty basin against his modern piece, hung on the wall in a dimly lit room. Of the work, Rothko says,

"If you are only moved by color relationships, you are missing the point.
I am interested in expressing the big emotions - tragedy, ecstasy, doom."