The Smithsonian Institution's Freer and Sackler museums of Asian art reopened Oct. 15, after being closed for renovations. The IlluminAsia Festival was a celebration of the reopening featuring art, food and performances.
Scenes from Washington's IlluminAsia Festival
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Artsits Sita Sadeli (left) and “Superwaxx” stand on ladders for live mural painting. (Y. Jung/VOA)
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Artist “Superwaxx” does a stylized portrait of Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami outside of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. (T. Hart/VOA)
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This kolam display was at the entrance of the Enid A. Haupt Garden. The kolam is a traditional Indian art form drawn in the thresholds of home to symbolize scientific and philosophical patterns in the universe. (T. Hart/VOA)
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Sunny Jain, frontman of Red Baraat, plays a dhol during the group’s performance in front of the reopened Freer and Sackler Galleries The dhol is a double-headed drum popular throughout India. (T. Hart/VOA)