Ruth Patir: (M)otherland

In the Sunroom exhibition Jump, the artist focuses on the core obstacle in dog agility courses— “jumps” — which serve to build athleticism and confidence in the dog, and a bond of trust between the dog and handler. Incorporating sculptural forms that evoke jumps alongside a video projection, the exhibition reflects on memories of Park’s prior relationship with a living pet while giving form to sentience, vulnerability, care, and failure.

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, All We Have Standing Between Us explores 250 years of Jewish participation in American democracy. Drawing from the collections of the American Jewish Historical Society, the exhibition examines how Jews have shaped, debated, and challenged the nation's democratic ideals from the Revolutionary era to the present.

Check out inspiring and innovative objects in Design Across Time: Exploring the Smithsonian's Design Collection, on view on the first floor.