On President’s Day, an Artful Nod to American Leadership and Symbolism

USA—These images of President Obama and American red, white and blue are an artful nod to President’s Day.

If you are in Washington, D.C., and want to spend the holiday at the Smithsonian, check out “Pilgrimage,” Annie Leibovitz’s exhibit at the American Art Museum. The series of 64 photographs includes images of the glass negatives of President Lincoln’s portrait and the plaster casts used to create Lincoln’s hands for the Lincoln Memorial.

All photos by Arts Observer

Above, “Painting with Statue of Liberty,” 1983 (oil and Magna on canvas) by Roy Lichtenstein at the Smithsonian’s National Gallery of Art; Top of page, President Barack Obama from “Obama’s People” a series of 52 photographs by Nadav Kander taken for a January 2009 special issue of the New York Times Magazine. The images were exhibited in the New York Times Building in May 2009.

Crosswalk at 14th & P streets in Washington, D.C.

“Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii,” 1995-96 (49-channel, closed circuit video monitors, neon, steel and electronic components) by Nam June Paik at the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum.

Catherine Malandrino “Flag Dress” for sale at Bergdorf Goodman in September 2011.

“Preamble,” 1987 (license plates on vinyl and wood) by Mike Wilkins at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Using license plates from all 50 states, the installation spells out the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Part of the “Folktales” exhibit at 1st Dibs: “Young Man Carrying a Barrel, Probably of Rum,” trade sign (carved wood) likely used at an inn or for a provisions store. In background, “Large Shield (with 45 Stars),” circa 1895. (tin).