AT THE SMITHSONIAN

What’s Up at the Smithsonian This Week 11/10-16

Senior Editor

November 10, 2008

Monday, November 10
Just Opened "One Life: The Mask of Lincoln" at the National Portrait Gallery is an examination of Lincoln's use of the era's new art of photography to convey his image to Americans. Drawing on the museum's extensive collection of Lincoln portraits—an archive that charts Lincoln's passage from a fresh-faced Illinois congressman to his grizzled presidential visage—visitors will ponder the many dimensions of the 16th president. One Life also offers a rare opportunity to view the original cracked-plate portrait of Lincoln by photographer Alexander Gardner. Preview the exhibition in the video above.

Tuesday, November 11
Book signing In honor of Veterans Day, meet the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and one of the nation's greatest living Civil War historians, James McPherson at the Freer and Sackler's Meyer Auditorium, 7 PM $28, general; $18, members; call 202-633-3030

Wednesday, November 12
See a Free Flick Ansel Adams Documentary Film, 5:30 PM at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, (2002, approximately 1 hr. 40 min., written and directed by Ric Burns) This PBS documentary looks into the life, times, and artwork of one of the foremost pioneers of American photography and an ardent environmentalist. Adams was a champion for the preservation and appreciation of the American landscape and had a profound impact on the way Americans saw their country. McEvoy Auditorium (enter from G St.)

Thursday and Friday November 14 and 15
Free Performance for Teens This Compassion Play production entitled KICK, by the youth organization ENCOMPASS, explores racial stereotyping and the issue of using American Indian mascots for sports teams. When Grace Greene, one of the few Native American students at Newman High School, decides to take a stand against her school's "brave" mascot, she learns that sometimes sports are far more than just fun and games. Preceded and followed by discussion. Celebrates American Indian Heritage Month. 10:30 AM & 1:30 PM on 11/14 and 11:30 AM & 2:30 PM on 11/15. Reservations required; call 202-633-6644/6751, 1st Level, Rasmuson Theater, National Museum of the American Indian

Friday, November 16
Bring Your Bikini to the National Museum of Natural History's Classic Ocean Film Series from 12:30 to 5 PM. Film buff and zoologist Dr. David Pawson hosts visitors for the showing of the following two classic films in which the ocean is star:

• 12:30-3 PM: Mutiny on the Bounty (1935, 132 min., starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable) The Academy Award-winning film based on the novel by Charles Nordhoff and James N. Hall chronicles the real-life mutiny led by Fletcher Christian against the ship's captain, William Bligh. The aftermath of the mutiny and the trials of those expelled from the ship are explored.

• 3-5 PM: Moby Dick (1956, 115 min., starring Gregory Peck) This classic story by Herman Melville revolves around Captain Ahab and his obsession with a huge whale, Moby Dick. Ahab is so crazed by his desire to kill the whale that he is prepared to sacrifice everything—his life, the lives of his crew, and even his ship—to find and destroy his nemesis. Free, Baird Auditorium.