One of the reasons I chose to visit Washington DC is because of the convenient location of the Smithsonian museums, almost all within the same stretch along what is known as the National Mall. It's a very interesting, practical, almost nationalistic layout, a huge (more than 3 kim long) rectangular field of green grass, flanked on both sides by the museums, with the US Capitol at one end and the Washington Monument at the other end. Ironically the benefactor James Smithsonian was neither an American nor had he ever stepped into American soil. An English scientist, he bequeathed his estate to set up an institution for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge". Whoever decided that this meant building museums and making them free and available to all the masses deserved a special Nobel Prize.
It is summer, and the museums are overrum with many school groups and extended family outings. Museum visits here are far from quiet serious occasions. They're noisy and boisterous. I don't see many people contemplating in front of the art pieces. Most just skim through the exhibits, very much like window-shopping, or shall I say window-museuming?
I must say that the noisy school and family groups marred my enjoyment somewhat, but hey, it's their museums, and it's good that these museums are well-visited. Or perhaps, I'm gulity of being too snooty. What's wrong with 'look-see', and why must one intellectualise about paintings and art pieces?
Nevertheless, I had a lovely time listening to a piano recital by a Polish pianist at the courtyard of the National Museum of Art. It's a nice way of winding down after a long day. The free concert was held after the museum was closed to the general public. I think it's a great idea to have a regular music programme every Friday evening at the museum.
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