New SAAM sculpture

This Roy Lichtenstein sculpture called Modern Head was installed in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum last week. I think it makes an excellent addition to the the DC public-ish sculptural landscape.

A little background from Eye Level:

Made of steel and painted an electrifying blue, Modern Head was conceived by the artist in 1974, but fabricated about fifteen years later. It was part of a series Lichtenstein began in the 1960s in which human figures are deliberately made to resemble machines. Looking at Modern Head one can see the abstract geometric forms, precision, and flat planes associated with Art Deco architecture of the 1930s. The sculpture is an exciting addition not just to the Museum, but to the city of Washington DC.

Modern Head also has an interesting story to tell. Originally installed in Battery Park City, one block from the World Trade Center, the sculpture survived the events of 9/11. In fact, the sculpture was temporarily used as a message board by the FBI, until it was removed from the site in November of that year.