Luis Jimenez
Man on Fire, 1969
Molded fiberglass on fiberglass base
Smithosonian American Art Museum,
Gift of Philip Morris Incorporated
1979.124
Classic period Maya carved bowl
depicting K’inich Ajwa, AD 400–600
Ceramic
San Augstin, Acasaguastlan, Department of
El Progresso, Guatemala
National Museum of the American Indian,
Smithsonian Institution
200726.000
Cartier
Maximilian Emerald Ring, 20th century
Emerald, diamond, gold
National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC,
Gift of Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1964
G5024
Eddie Dominguez
Dinnerware as Fish Aquarium, 1991
Wood, plexiglass, metal sheets, earthenware,
found objects
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum,
Smithsonian Institution
1992-39-1
“I then bequeath the whole of my property…to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge…”
In accordance with the wishes and generosity of British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1848. The making and circulation of new knowledge in art, culture and history is at the core of our mission. With our present and future exhibits we are on the path to increase and diffuse knowledge for the twenty-first century.
To meet this challenge, the Museo Alameda asked directors and curators of twelve Smithsonian museums and units to select objects from their collections that relate to Latino cultural heritage and provide “experiences that connect us to our history and heritage as Americans.” The result is The Smithsonian in San Antonio, an inaugural exhibition that brings a taste of the Smithsonian to our hometown of San Antonio.
For this exhibition, ten Smithsonian Institution units have contributed objects from their collections that tell the bicultural story of Latino communities in the United States. Each object is part of a narrative that explores the experience of being Latino in the United States. The satellite, for example, not only helps bind all communities but also reflects the ancient Mayan fascination with the cosmos. And so, each object in the exhibition explores our shared Latino heritage as a convergence of U.S and ancestral culture—a truly American experience.
The lending units are: National Museum of the American Indian; National Air and Space Museum; National Museum of Natural History; National Portrait Gallery; Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; National Postal Museum; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center; and the Smithsonian Institution Castle Collection. The Smithsonian Latino Center, Smithsonian Affiliations, and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage also worked closely with Museo Alameda to produce this exhibition.
This exhibition was organized by the Museo Alameda.
– James Smithson (1765-1829)
In accordance with the wishes and generosity of British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1848. The making and circulation of new knowledge in art, culture and history is at the core of our mission. With our present and future exhibits we are on the path to increase and diffuse knowledge for the twenty-first century.
To meet this challenge, the Museo Alameda asked directors and curators of twelve Smithsonian museums and units to select objects from their collections that relate to Latino cultural heritage and provide “experiences that connect us to our history and heritage as Americans.” The result is The Smithsonian in San Antonio, an inaugural exhibition that brings a taste of the Smithsonian to our hometown of San Antonio.
For this exhibition, ten Smithsonian Institution units have contributed objects from their collections that tell the bicultural story of Latino communities in the United States. Each object is part of a narrative that explores the experience of being Latino in the United States. The satellite, for example, not only helps bind all communities but also reflects the ancient Mayan fascination with the cosmos. And so, each object in the exhibition explores our shared Latino heritage as a convergence of U.S and ancestral culture—a truly American experience.
The lending units are: National Museum of the American Indian; National Air and Space Museum; National Museum of Natural History; National Portrait Gallery; Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; National Postal Museum; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center; and the Smithsonian Institution Castle Collection. The Smithsonian Latino Center, Smithsonian Affiliations, and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage also worked closely with Museo Alameda to produce this exhibition.
This exhibition was organized by the Museo Alameda.