The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC has opened its sculpture garden following a four-year transformation.
The 1.3-acre sculpture garden reopened on 31 October after the largest renovation of the Hirshhorn campus since the museum debuted in 1974, led by Japanese photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto.
The project has restored a long-closed underground passage connecting the museum and garden, expanded the entrances from two to five, and increased the number of artworks on view from 35 to nearly 60.
"The sculpture garden is an essential part of the Hirshhorn’s identity and its presence on the National Mall," said Aaron Seeto, acting director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
"The revitalization reflects our responsibility for the national collection while making it more accessible to the millions of people who visit the Mall each year."
He added: "Hiroshi Sugimoto’s thoughtful design honors our mission while creating opportunities for visitors to encounter art in new ways.
"The garden is designed for the 21st century, offering a dynamic setting for art and public programming that can continue to evolve with our collection and audiences."
Sugimoto redesigned the sculpture garden with careful consideration of Gordon Bunshaft’s original design.
The updated landscape was designed by Sugimoto and developed in collaboration with Eiko Tomura Landscape Architects, with Rhodeside & Harwell Landscape Architecture as the associate landscape designer.
It introduced 57 new trees and around 30,000 plants, largely native species. At the centre of the garden, Sugimoto has expanded the reflecting pool and added a stage inspired by Japanese Noh theatre.
Artworks added to the new sculpture garden include Elmgreen & Dragset’s 28-foot-tall sculpture, Eight, as well as works by contemporary artists such as Raven Halfmoon, Lauren Halsey, Izumi Kato, Jeff Koons, Liz Larner, and Chatchai Puipia.
Also on view are works by Auguste Rodin, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Alberto Giacometti and Pablo Picasso, among others.
