Sep
20

Jake’s Take

Torch writer Amy Rogers Nazarov and her 14-year-old son, Jake, recently paid their first post-COVID visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. In a series of photos, Amy captured Jake’s reaction to what they saw. This “Jake’s-eye view” demonstrates that art is not always easy, but the complete story of who we are cannot be told without it.

Also, sometimes you just need Transformers and a Coke.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now.

Entrance to Printing the Revolution at SAAM
Jake: “Do I have to keep the mask on the whole time?”
Amy: “Yup, buddy.”

The entrance to SAAM’s special exhibition ¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now. Although the exhibition is now closed, you can learn more about it here.

Justice for Our Lives

Jake views "Justice for Our Lives"
Jake: “I found George Floyd. I didn’t know there were so many others. It makes me really mad.”

Oree Originol, Justice for Our Lives, 2014-Present, 78 digital images, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Patricia Tobacco Forrester Endowment, 2020.51A-MM, © 2014, Oree Originol. This installation was at the entrance of “Printing the Revolution.”

Obama from Douglas

I Am UndocuQueer- Reyna W.

Arte es Vida: 40th Anniversary Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

Jake viewing Obama from Douglass
Jake: “We live near Frederick Douglass’ house [on Capitol Hill]. Did Obama know him?”

Rupert García, Obama from Douglass, 2010, pigment inkjet on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2020.42.5, © 2010, Rupert García

Julio Salgado, I Am UndocuQueer- Reyna W., 2012, digital image, JPG, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Lichtenberg Family Foundation, 2020.37.4, © 2020, Julio Salgado

Daniel González, Arte es Vida: 40th Anniversary Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, 2013, laser-cut screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2020.22.5, © 2013, Daniel Gonzálezhese three prints were on view in the exhibition Printing the Revolution.

These three works were on display in the exhibition “Printing the Revolution.”

Manifest Destiny

Jake viewing "Manifest Destiny"
Jake: “Is that New York?”
Amy: “It’s how one artist envisions our possible future. It’s kind of scary, isn’t it?”
Jake: “Yes. And dirty.”

Alexis Rockman, Manifest Destiny, 2004, oil and acrylic on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2011.36A-D, © 2004, Alexis Rockman

Manifest Destiny is on view on the Second Floor, North Lobby of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Liberty

Statue "Liberty"
Jake: “Mom, what did you and Dad do on 9/11?”
Amy: “The Metro had shut down, and so we walked to meet each other on Indiana Ave. NW. Then we went to my condo in Dupont Circle and watched TV. It was such an awful day.”
Jake: “I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. That was way before I was born. Do you think it could happen again?”
Amy: “I don’t think so, honey.”

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, Liberty, ca. 1884, painted terra cotta and tin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Capitol, XX76

Liberty is on view on the Second Floor, South Wing of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

DDT

Right on!

Jake looking at DDT and Right on by Rupert Garcia
Jake: “Why is that girl screaming?”
Amy: “Because the chemical DDT hurt her.”
Jake: “She has no arms. I don’t like it.”
Amy: “I get that, but it’s actually good when art makes us feel different emotions.”

Rupert García, DDT, 1969, screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2020.42.2, © 1969, Rupert García

Rupert García, Right On!, 1968, screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2020.42.3, © 1968, Rupert García

These two works by Rupert Garcia were on display in the exhibition “Printing the Revolution” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

National Portrait Gallery

America’s Presidents

Jake in Hall of America's President
Jake: “How many presidents have there been?”
Amy: “I think President Biden is number 46.”
Jake: “Where’s Andrew Jackson? He’s on the $20 bill.”
Amy: “There is a statue of him behind us.”
Jake: “I think it should be Harriet Tubman instead.”
Amy: “It might still be one day.”
Jake: (playing with his ever-present Transformer): “I’m really tired. Can we get a Coke?”
Amy: “Sure thing, sweetie.”

The nation’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House, this exhibition lies at the heart of the Portrait Gallery’s mission to tell the American story through the individuals who have shaped it.

“America’s Presidents” is newly refurbished with improved lighting and paint, new labels and wall texts, and the addition of interactive touch screens that allow people to explore the context of each presidency and access other visual material.  The new, entirely bilingual (English and Spanish) and accessible presentation includes extraordinary works of art, notably Gilbert Stuart’s “Lansdowne” portrait of President George Washington, which will be back on view after 18 months of careful conservation and analysis.

Our thanks to Jake Nazarov for sharing his thoughts with us. All photographs courtesy Amy Rogers Nazarov.

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Posted: 20 September 2021
About the Author:

Amy Rogers Nazarov writes about D.C. culture & history and manages social media for non-profits and small businesses from her home on Capitol Hill. Her byline has appeared in Cooking Light, The Writer, Psychology Today, The Washington Post and many other print and Web publications. Before going freelance, she spent a decade reporting on high tech for a wide array of newspapers and magazines.