Gail Rebhan What Questions Do We Ask?

Gail Rebhan's exhibition *What Questions Do We Ask?* transforms the language of the United States census into a layered visual record of American history. At the museum entrance, visitors encounter census questions spanning from 1790 to 2020, revealing how the nature of what is asked reflects a society's values, debates, and evolving understanding of itself. The works are organized by themes such as race, disability, language, technology, and work, tracing how a single line of questioning changes over time. Each piece layers the census questions over an American flag motif, grounding them in a shared national identity while inviting close scrutiny. Historic census forms serve as visual backdrops, and a mix of government typography and expressive handwriting underscores the passage of time, prompting viewers to notice patterns and shifts that mirror broader cultural change. The artist offers a condensed social history of the United States, asking viewers to consider how the past informs the present and how the questions we ask shape what comes next.

When: June 13 through August 9, 2026.
Venue: American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, Washington, DC.
Gallery Talk: Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the artist.
Artwork Examples: *What Questions Do We Ask?*, 2026 (concept for museum installation); *What Questions Do We Ask? Disability*, 2024 (adhesive vinyl mounted on window, 26.4 x 39.6 inches).
Press Coverage: Mentioned in *Hyperallergic* (10 Art Shows to See in DC This Summer), *American University Magazine* (Flagging the Facts), and *Washington City Paper* (The Real Locals' Calendar of Alternative Events for America's 250th).
Note: Price information is not available. No age restrictions or run time are specified; the exhibition is a gallery installation with a scheduled talk.