I'm not much into art. What most people consider good, I squint and wonder about. My idea of what is good is on perpetual display at the Washington DC Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery, although the display has been reduced in recent years from when I first saw it in 1980.
The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly is on the first floor of the museum at 8th and F Streets, N.W. right near the Verizon Center.
This is the work of James Hampton, a Washington DC janitor and Army veteran. He started on his life's work in 1950 and regularly reported visions from God. The work was a welcoming for the second Coming of Jesus. It was discovered after his death in 1964. It consists of old furniture, odds-and-ends, discarded materials and foil. Especially foil!
Although raised a Baptist, James created his work using his own interpretations of religion, and even used a language still not deciphered. He worked on his creation daily. It consisted of more than 180 objects at the time of his death and was most certainly not completed.
When a lot of art is garbage, this garbage is art.
ReplyDelete