Weekend Events: John Ford, Fortune Telling and a Crash Course in Portraiture
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ED. NOTE: Please be aware that, due to Smithsonian Institution Internet outages scheduled for this weekend, some of the links given below may not be functional on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday November 22. Please visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com for updates on Smithsonian events and exhibitions.
Friday, November 20: Reel Portraits: Films by John Ford
In conjunction with the exhibition, Faces of the Frontier, the National Portrait Gallery is showing several films by legendary director John Ford. Tonight, it is "Fort Apache" starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Shirley Temple (sans tap shoes and Mr. Bojangles) in a thinly veiled account of Custer's last stand. A conversation with Frank H. Goodyear III, curator of the exhibition Faces of the Frontier, follows the screening. Free. Portrait Gallery, 7:00 PM.
Saturday, November 21: Facing History: Be the Artist
David Eichenberg's painting, The Duchess of Toledo, was selected as a finalist in this year's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition and, like many works of art, one has to wonder what was going through the artist's head when they begin to create a work of art. This afternoon, come on out to the National Portrait Gallery for a guided tour of the show and then create your own piece based on Eichenberg's ideas. For persons aged 10-14 with adult. This event is free, but registration is required. Please call 202-633-8501 to reserve your spot today. This event repeats today at 3:30 for persons aged 5-10. Portrait Gallery, 12:00-2:00 PM.
ImaginAsia: Predicting Your Future
Cootie catchers are a popular means of fortune telling, but their accuracy is somewhat suspect. When in doubt, consult the Book of Falnama—sort of a big honkin’ cootie catcher that commoners and royalty in Turkey and Iran used during the 16th and 17th centuries to consult when they needed advice about the future. Kick off the afternoon by touring the new exhibit Falnama: The Book of Omens and learn about the auspicious meanings behind the images and symbols and then go back into the classroom where you can create an amulet for protection and posterity. Free. Freer, 2:00 PM.
For more information on events and exhibitions at the Smithsonian museums, check our companion website, goSmithsonian.com, the official visitor’s guide to the Smithsonian.