WASHINGTON — Have you seen the light projections plastered across the Trump Hotel in DC? Different phrases radiate across the entrance. Each one protesting the current administration. All of it is the work of one artist: Robin Bell.
His projection shows have highlighted issues across Capitol Hill. In fact, one of his associates was arrested for light projections that were shot onto the Rayburn Building.
If you haven’t seen his work, you have a rare chance to see it displayed inside a museum.
The Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University gave him his own exhibit called: Open.
Bell said he based his exhibit as an homage to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Thirty years ago, the Corcoran Museum banned a Mapplethorpe exhibit because it was seen as inappropriate. Almost to the day, Bell is showing off his light projections inside the very same museum.
He wants “Open” to emphasize the steps we still need to make as a society.
“That there are different people who live here and we have to be open to new ideas and we have to be open to each other,” he said.
It’s a sensory rich experience. In the two large atriums, projectors above display messages. His protest words scroll along the walls and ceiling.
Underneath the projections, there is a light display that symbolizes the American flag with the message: “It is happening here.”
But the heart of the display is in a dark room. A piece he calls the swamp. Pictures and images of politicians past and present reflect off of boxes stacked to the ceiling.
“You have people who are in power who are now in private industry people who were in private industry that are now in governance,” he explained.
“Open” will be at the Corcoran School of Art and Design until the end of the month.