Nocturnes

Nocturnes examines how nighttime can suggest calm, mystery, or unease. The exhibition presents photographs by eight artists in a contemporary, cinematic installation, inviting visitors to imagine stories, write poems, or offer personal reflections in response to the works. Commissioned music and special lighting deepen the atmosphere and explore how we experience the world after dark.

The exhibition includes photographs by Larry Sultan, Yokomizo Shizuka, Guadalupe Rosales, Todd Hido, Angela Strassheim, Lewis Baltz, Tom Hunter, and Gregory Crewdson. A specially created sound environment by photographer and sound artist Saam Gabbay combines recordings from nature and city streets with original acoustic and electronic music, with distinct tracks inspired by each work.

When: July 23, 2026–January 31, 2027

Venue: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Ground Floor, Gallery G39

Tickets: Free admission; passes are not required

Featured artists: Larry Sultan, Yokomizo Shizuka, Guadalupe Rosales, Todd Hido, Angela Strassheim, Lewis Baltz, Tom Hunter, and Gregory Crewdson

Selected works: Larry Sultan’s *Evening, Los Angeles*; Yokomizo Shizuka’s *Untitled (Hitorigoto) 10*; Guadalupe Rosales’s *shortcut*; Todd Hido’s *#7373*; Angela Strassheim’s *Untitled (Girls in Pickup)*; Lewis Baltz’s *There is No Life Outside of These Verona Walls*; Tom Hunter’s *The Vale of Rest*; and Gregory Crewdson’s *Untitled (Second Skin)*

Installation: Special lighting and an immersive sonic environment accompany the photographs. The sound component was created by Saam Gabbay using field recordings and original acoustic and electronic music.

Activities: Visitors are encouraged to imagine a story, compose a poem, or share a reflection inspired by the exhibition.

Organized by: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Curator: Andrea Nelson, associate curator of photographs