Art at the White House

The news has been full of art and politics this week.

First, we'll take a look at the presidential tradition of selecting works on loan to be displayed in different areas at the White House. Two big articles covered this story, the NY Times called the choices "bold and modern." The Washington Post analyzed the politics behind each choice. Both articles have great slideshows.

Above, a work on display: Edward Ruscha – I think I’ll . . . – National Gallery of Art·

Here is a list of the presidential picks this year, courtesy of Reuters:

Loaned art in the Residence·
Josef Albers – Homage to the Square: Elected II – Hirshhorn Museum·
Josef Albers – Homage to the Square: Midday – Hirshhorn Museum·
Josef Albers – Study for Homage to the Square: Nacre – Hirshhorn Museum·
George Catlin – A Crow Chief at His Toilette – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Camanchees Lancing a Buffalo Bull – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Grassy Bluffs – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Mired Buffalo and Wolves – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Cheyenne Village – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Grizzly Bears Attacking Buffalo – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Game of the Arrow-Mandan – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – A Foot War Party in Council-Mandan – National Gallery of Art· George Catlin – Ball-Play Dance-Choctaw – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Buffalo Chase, with Accidents – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – Catlin and Indian Attacking Buffalo – National Gallery of Art·
George Catlin – K’nisteneux Indians Attacking Two Grizzly Bears – National Gallery of Art· Edward Corbett – Washington, D.C. November 1963 III – National Gallery of Art·
Edgar Degas – Dancer Putting on Stocking – Hirshhorn Museum·
Edgar Degas – The Bow – Hirshhorn Museum·
Richard Diebenkorn – Berkeley, No. 52 – National Gallery of Art·
Nicolas De Stael – Nice – Hirshhorn Museum·
Sam Francis – White Line – National Gallery of Art·
Winslow Homer – Sunset – National Gallery of Art·
Jasper Johns – Numerals, 0 through 9 – National Gallery of Art·
William H. Johnson – Booker T. Washington Legend – Smithsonian American Art Museum· William H. Johnson – Children Dance – Smithsonian American Art Museum·
William H. Johnson – Flower to Teacher – Smithsonian American Art Museum·
William H. Johnson – folk Family – Smithsonian American Art Museum·
Glenn Ligon – Black Like Me #2 – Hirshhorn Museum·
Giorgio Morandi – Still Life – National Gallery of Art·
Giorgio Morandi – Still Life – National Gallery of Art·
Louise Nevelson – Model for “Sky Covenant” – National Gallery of Art·
Susan Rothenberg – Butterfly – National Gallery of Art·
Mark Rothko – Red Band – National Gallery of Art·
Edward Ruscha – I think I’ll . . . – National Gallery of Art·
Alma Thomas – Sky Light – Hirshhorn Museum·
Leon Polk Smith – Stretch of Black III – National Gallery of Art·
Unknown Artist – Chief Jumper of the Seminoles – National Gallery of Art

Loaned art in the West Wing·
Frank O. Salisbury – President Harry S. Truman – Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, Missouri – Cabinet Room·
Lucy M. Lewis (Acoma Pueblo) – Vase – National Museum of the American Indian – Oval Office·
Jeri Redcorn (Caddo) – Bottle: Intertwining Scrolls – National Museum of the American Indian – Oval Office·
Steve S. (Iroquois) – Jar – National Museum of the American Indian – Oval Office·
Maria Poveka Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) – Jar – National Museum of the American Indian – Oval Office·
Samuel F. B. Morse – Telegraph Register patent model – National Museum of American History – Oval Office·
John A. Peer – Gear Cutter patent model – National Museum of American History – Oval Office·
Henry William’s 1877 steamboat feathering paddlewheel patent model – National Museum of American History – Oval Office

Loaned art in the East Wing·
Alma Thomas – Watusi (Hard Edge) – Hirshhorn Museum – East Wing

Not yet placed·
Mark Rothko - No. 17 [or] No. 15 - National Gallery of Art

THE NEA AND THE WHITE HOUSE
The White House was also in the news this week for some controversy surrounding their communication with the NEA. A phone conference between artists and a White House staffer encouraging them to create artwork about their community was interpreted by some as politicizing the NEA. Turns out the person that brought up supporting Obama's policies was an artist, and not a member of the administration. It was and still is a conservative talking point. Here are some articles about it, along with the 44-page transcript of the meeting:

Fox News Coverage

A brief NPR mention

MediaMatters "debunking" the Fox News report

The Full Transcript