“Lessons of the Hour” Gallery Talk

Join Charlotte Ickes and Saisha Grayson, curators of time-based media at the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum[SM1] , for a gallery talk on Isaac Julien’s Lessons of the Hour. See how Julien combines period reenactments with contemporary footage to bring Frederick Douglass’s words to bear on the present. [SM2] [HM3] Then, learn how the two museums co-acquired this five-channel film installation and why it is relevant to both collections.

Registration is encouraged but not required.

The Portrait Gallery strives to provide programs that are accessible to all visitors. If you have questions about the accessibility of this program, or if you would like to request real-time captioning (CART), sign language interpretation, or any other accommodations, please contact Vanessa Jones at [email protected]. Two weeks advance notice is appreciated for requesting accommodations.

Image Credit: Trailer for Lessons of the Hour, 2019. © Isaac Julien, Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro.

Host or Publisher Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery