Installation: ‘SONG 1’

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft and known affectionately as Bunshaft’s Bunker, will become a giant makeshift television screen starting March 22. That’s when SONG 1, a video installation by artist Doug Aitken, will first be projected onto all 360 degrees of the Hirshhorn’s exterior. Approximately 11 projectors will light up the museum’s exterior from dusk till midnight for the duration of the exhibit. Visitors should expect a party vibe: Aitken’s video features spliced-together renditions of The Flamingos’ hit “I Only Have Eyes for You,” performed by the likes of Beck, LCD Soundsystem, No Age, and others. The piece is an example of the prominent role that buildings can play in the realization of contemporary art today—both inside and outside the building. Starting in 2013, the Hirshhorn will also host the so-called Bubble, a temporary outdoor pavilion designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which will be inflated at least twice a year, through the donut-shaped building’s courtyard. SONG 1 runs through May 13. • hirshhorn.si.edu