The National Portrait Gallery, Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum to Host Artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada at 3 Public Programs, 10/1-6

The National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum will host the artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada at three public programs in October:

"Out of Many, One" Programs

Meet the Artist: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.

National Portrait Gallery

Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium

Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada is a founder of the New York culture jamming movement and an innovator in the international urban art scene. His newest work, created in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, is "Out of Many, One," installed on the National Mall. Join Rodríguez-Gerada at the National Portrait Gallery to discuss the process of creating this image. He will also display some previous projects, explore important themes in his work, and consider the exciting interplay between art and engineering. Free; no reservations required; seating is first come, first-served.

Naturally Selected: the Materials Behind Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada's "Out of Many, One" Portrait

Saturday, Oct. 4, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

National Museum of Natural History

Baird Auditorium

This past summer, Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada photographed people in Washington, D.C. From these images, he created "Out of Many, One," a six-acre, larger-than-life composite portrait commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and installed on the National Mall. This terrestrial portrait reflects the diversity of our nation - and is made entirely of sand, topsoil, and gravel. It will be on view from the ground, from the Washington Monument - and even from space. Rodríguez-Gerada will discuss his artistic design process, including how and why he chose the materials that comprise the portrait. Tim Rose of the National Museum of Natural History's Mineral Sciences department will share his analysis of these materials. What about them-from their shape, color, and texture to their geological history-makes them a natural choice for such a monumental work of art? Register here (insert link to: http://go.si.edu/site/Calendar?id=100301&view=Detail&s_src=nmnh_er_ooo_npg)

Out of Many, One

Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada

Monday, Oct. 6, 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

National Air and Space Museum

Einstein Planetarium

Free tickets available at the planetarium box office.

A collaboration with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, this program explores "Out of Many, One," a temporary large scale artwork on the National Mall by Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada. Rodríguez-Gerada uses aerospace technologies such as high precision GPS to make portraits visible from above. Rodríguez-Gerada will share examples of his past work and the artistic vision for the D.C. piece. Andrew Johnston of the National Air and Space Museum will provide an overview of the technologies that made the art possible, including satellite technology and views of Washington D.C. from space.

Photo Courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery