National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Open-air sculpture garden at National Mall, United States
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is an outdoor garden on the National Mall featuring a central fountain and winding paths through galleries displaying contemporary sculptures. The collection includes large artworks distributed throughout landscaped areas, showing different artistic perspectives.
The garden was designed by landscape architect Laurie Olin and opened in 1999 as an extension of the National Gallery. It was created as an addition to the existing art institution and provided a new public space for contemporary art.
The garden displays works by artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Tony Smith, representing different movements in contemporary sculpture. Visitors experience these artistic approaches directly while walking between the installations.
The central fountain transforms into an ice skating rink from December through March, and the Pavilion Café offers refreshments year-round. The paths are flat and easy to walk, allowing for a relaxed visit.
The grounds use native American trees and plants to create distinct outdoor spaces that frame each sculpture installation. This natural planting connects the artworks with the local surroundings.
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