The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum will present "Big Things for Big Rooms," an exhibition tracing the development of immersive, large-scale artworks from the late 1960s to the present. Organized by head curator Evelyn C. Hankins and curatorial assistant CJ Greenhill Caldera, the show features 10 works—five on view for the first time—drawn largely from the museum's collection, including pieces by Robert Irwin, Richard Long, Sam Gilliam, Dan Flavin, Lygia Pape, Mika Rottenberg, Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Rashid Johnson, and Paul Chan. The exhibition runs from November 21, 2025, through July 4, 2027, and is divided into two parts: the first explores pioneering "Environments" from the 1960s, while the second highlights contemporary artists expanding on those ideas.
This exhibition matters because it connects foundational installation art from the 1960s to current global practices, demonstrating the Hirshhorn's commitment to showcasing the evolution of immersive art. By presenting works that blur boundaries between painting, sculpture, and installation—and that require active visitor engagement—the show underscores the museum's role as a leading voice for modern and contemporary art. It also continues the Hirshhorn's 50th-anniversary season, following the earlier "Revolutions" exhibition, and highlights the significance of installation art in its permanent collection.