Nocturnes

Nocturnes examines the imaginative, emotional, and cinematic possibilities of nighttime photography. The National Gallery of Art installation brings together work by eight photographers, inviting visitors to consider whether the night feels peaceful, mysterious, unsettling, or all three. Special lighting and commissioned music create an immersive setting where visitors can invent a story, write a poem, or offer a personal reflection in response to the photographs.

The exhibition also includes a sonic environment by photographer and sound artist Saam Gabbay. Drawing on the images, Gabbay combined recordings from nature and city streets with original acoustic and electronic music, creating a distinct track for each work and evoking the wonder and uncertainty of nighttime experience.

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

Artists and selected works: Larry Sultan, *Evening, Los Angeles* (1987); Yokomizo Shizuka, *Untitled (Hitorigoto) 10* (2002); Guadalupe Rosales, *shortcut* (2022); Todd Hido, *#7373* (2009, printed 2016); Angela Strassheim, *Untitled (Girls in Pickup)* (2006); Lewis Baltz, *There is No Life Outside of These Verona Walls* (1992); Tom Hunter, *The Vale of Rest* (2000); and Gregory Crewdson, *Untitled (Second Skin)* (2001–2002)

Experience: The installation features commissioned music, immersive special lighting, and visitor prompts encouraging storytelling, poetry, and reflection.

Sonic environment: Saam Gabbay created original acoustic and electronic music for the installation, incorporating sounds recorded in natural settings and on city streets.

Organized by: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Curator: Andrea Nelson, associate curator of photographs

Run time: Not specified; visitors may experience the installation at their own pace.