Part of the Smithsonian’s spectacular collection of museums in Washington, D.C., the Hirshhorn is always a fascinating address. New exhibitions include “Ilya and Emilia Kabakov: The Utopian Projects” (through March 4, 2018), a collection of elaborate and whimsical installation-based works comprised of light, sound and motion — which activate upon the approach of the viewer. Also new, 70 works spanning seven decades make up “What Absence is Made Of” (through summer 2019). It features new acquisitions by artists including Annette Lemieux, Ed Atkins, Huang Yong Ping, Constantin Brancusi, On Kawara, Ana Mendieta and Hiroshi Sugimotouse as they embrace a variety of mediums to express the concept of absence.

Also new, “Mark Bradford: Pickett’s Charge” (through Nov. 12, 2018) is Bradford’s interpretation in collage and painting of the iconic cyclorama in Gettysburg National Military Park created by artist Paul Philippoteaux in the 19^th century. Inspired by the original work, Bradford created eight large-scale abstract paintings — each more than 45 feet in length — encircling the museum’s Third Level in a panorama. Opening in February 2018, “Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s” marks the museum’s first exhibition to explore the ways in which commercial products in the late 20^th century were appropriated for artistic expression. The focus is on artists from New York City’s East Village including Ashley Bickertonruary, Barbara Bloom, Jessica Diamond, General Idea, Peter Halley, Jeff Koons, Peter Nagy, Joel Otterson, Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, Meyer Vaisman and Julia Wachtel.