The Renwick's New Look

Washington, DC's Renwick Gallery reopened recently after a top-to-bottom renovation. The first exhibit, titled "Wonder," is a big hit. A different installation inhabits each gallery. Janet Echelman"s "1.8" floats across the ceiling of the Grand Salon, suggesting the motion of a tsunami. She has used nets and colored light to elicit the feeling of mass without volume. Children and adults plop themselves down on the carpet and stare up, as if they were outside looking at the stars. There is a sense of calm as the play of light on netting brightens then dims, then gradually brightens again. Go see it yourself, if you can, and definitely plan on lying on the floor.