Fragments in Time and Space

Since the beginnings of Modernism, issues of time and space have been central to art in all media, from the fragmentation of space in Cubism and the depiction of speed in Futurism to the manipulation of these elements made possible through cinematic techniques. For many contemporary artists, these universal notions persist as crucial themes. Fragments in Time and Space draws upon the Hirshhorn's collection to present works— including pieces by Thomas Eakins, Douglas Gordon, On Kawara, Richard Long, Ed Ruscha, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Mark Tobey—that demonstrate the diverse ways in which artists have conceptualized, employed, and manipulated time and space. Using a range of both direct and indirect approaches, all of these works encourage viewers to focus on and reconsider the way they perceive and experience the world—from a single moment in time to a vast idea of the infinite.