Big Things for Big Rooms

Big Things for Big Rooms examines the evolution of immersive, large-scale installation art from the late 1960s to the present. Drawn primarily from the Hirshhorn’s collection, the exhibition features 10 artworks, including five being shown at the Museum for the first time. Across two sections, it considers how artists have expanded both the physical boundaries of art and the visitor’s role within it.

The first section explores the emergence of expansive “environments” through works by pioneering artists including Dan Flavin, Sam Gilliam, Robert Irwin, Lygia Pape, and land artist Richard Long. The second looks at how contemporary artists such as Paul Chan, Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Rashid Johnson, and Mika Rottenberg build on those ideas, frequently working with everyday materials.

When: December 20, 2025–July 4, 2027.

Venue: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Format: The exhibition is organized in two parts and offers a multisensory exploration of installation art.

Artists: Dan Flavin, Sam Gilliam, Robert Irwin, Lygia Pape, Richard Long, Paul Chan, Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Rashid Johnson, and Mika Rottenberg.

Organization: The exhibition is organized by Head Curator Evelyn C. Hankins, with support from Curatorial Assistant CJ Greenhill Caldera.

Accessibility: An accessibility brochure is available, with printed and braille copies provided at the Museum.

Tickets: Price not available.