Vanessa H. Larson

Washington, D.C.

Multiplatform Editor at The Washington Post

Journalist in D.C. after Istanbul. Bylines/copy editor @washingtonpost. Write on M.E. arts+culture. Ex @ForeignPolicy, @fodorstravel Turkey guide writer. Türkçe

Articles

At NMAAHC, ‘In Slavery’s Wake’ lays bare the long road to freedom

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Vanessa H. Larson

At NMAAHC, ‘In Slavery’s Wake’ lays bare the long road to freedom (washingtonpost.com) At NMAAHC, ‘In Slavery’s Wake’ lays bare the long road to freedom By Vanessa H.
At NMAAHC, 'In Slavery's Wake' lays bare the long road to freedom

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Vanessa H. Larson

Looming over the first section of “In Slavery’s Wake” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of the most viscerally disturbing artifacts in the exhibit: an enormous hanging scale made of iron and wood, with iron ingots for weights, that was used to measure goods on a plantation in 18th-century Bahia, Brazil. Because enslaved people were treated as commodities, the scale “may have been used to weigh and price enslaved people, as well,” the text panel notes.
Iranian artists twist Persian miniatures with stunning color at MEI gallery

Feb 12, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Vanessa H. Larson

Two contrasting works boldly set the stage for the Middle East Institute Art Gallery’s “Maximal Miniatures,” a showcase of contemporary Iranian artists inspired by Persian miniature painting. Elham Pourkhani’s “Zahhak’s Castle Is Calm” exemplifies many characteristics of the centuries-old artistic tradition. At just about 23 by 27 inches, the intimate piece is striking in its brilliant colors and rich ornamental detail.
The artists twisting Persian masterpieces with stunning color

Feb 12, 2025 | yahoo.com | Vanessa H. Larson

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key TakeawaysTwo contrasting works boldly set the stage for the Middle East Institute Art Gallery’s “Maximal Miniatures,” a showcase of contemporary Iranian artists inspired by Persian miniature painting.
Smithsonian Institution and US National Gallery of Art shutter diversity offices following President Trump's executive order

Jan 29, 2025 | theartnewspaper.com | Elena Goukassian |Benjamin Sutton |Vanessa H. Larson |Nancy Kenney

Among the flurry of executive orders signed by the new US president Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration (20 January) is one titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”. The order, calling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes “illegal and immoral”, immediately led to the shutdown of federal DEI offices, and their staff were placed on leave as a precursor to being eventually laid off.
6 D.C.-area events every chocolate fanatic should put on their calendar

Jan 29, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Vanessa H. Larson |Sarah Fischer

and Sarah F. FischerNot everyone is a fan of Valentine’s Day, but who doesn’t love chocolate? For those wanting a deeper relationship with the sweet stuff, the D.C. area offers a variety of cacao-themed experiences, from retail events and tastings to cultural presentations and hands-on classes. Bring your partner, your kids, your friends or just yourself and indulge at these events.
A D.C. artist's glowing monuments to Black lives

Jan 15, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Vanessa H. Larson

Tsedaye Makonnen's ethereal sculptures make a bold impression at the National Museum of African Art - but there's much more than first meets the eye. The D.C.-born Ethiopian American artist's installation, part of her show "Sanctuary: Mekdes," centers on seven towers made up of light boxes stacked to different heights, all set off against a raised base and a backdrop of deep turquoise.
The 43 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Oct 24, 2024 | washingtonpost.com | Fritz Hahn |Sophia Solano |Vanessa H. Larson |Adele Chapin |Chris Kelly

Halloween dominates activities over the next week: costume contests and parades, late-night parties at museums, trick-or-treating for kids, scary movies for adults, the High Heel Race in Dupont Circle. We created a list with dozens of events for all ages, broken down by category, and we’re not going to replicate it here.
The 43 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Oct 24, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fritz Hahn |Sophia Solano |Vanessa H. Larson |Adele Chapin |Chris Kelly

Halloween dominates activities over the next week: costume contests and parades, late-night parties at museums, trick-or-treating for kids, scary movies for adults, the High Heel Race in Dupont Circle. We created a list with dozens of events for all ages, broken down by category, and we’re not going to replicate it here.
The ‘Great Mongol Shahnama’ at NMAA shows brilliance of medieval Persia

Oct 23, 2024 | washingtonpost.com | Vanessa H. Larson

Democracy Dies in DarknessAn installation view of “An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama” at the National Museum of Asian Art. (Colleen J. Dugan/National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution)Review by Vanessa H. LarsonOctober 23, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. EDTAs you enter “An Epic of Kings” at the National Museum of Asian Art, a recording of a woman’s voice reciting the Shahnama sets the stage for the exhibition.