Inside The Museum

 From a distance, the National Museum of African American History and Culture looks like three stacked metal baskets. Inspired by art created by Nigerian artist Olowe of Ise, using traditional Yoruban motifs, the bronze-colored frieze has an elegant, slightly somber feeling. Once inside the museum, that frieze becomes a lace-like scrim that floats just beyond the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, providing light and creating complex shadows. Viewers can see the colors and patterns of the trees and buildings nearby but there is a sheltering or protective aspect to it that compels us to turn around and explore the complex history that is this museum’s reason for existing.